So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes.” Genesis 35:2
God had came to Jacob and refreshed his memory of who He was, that He was the God who met him at Bethel, who he wrestled with. God then tells Jacob to build an altar. Immediately Jacob tells his household to get rid of foreign gods, purify themselves and change their clothes. They had to get ready to meet God.
Changing clothes can be a sign of change in a person. The clothes often signify who or what a person is. Workers are often dressed in some type of company uniform with some label or symbol indicating what company they work for.
There are some clergy who wear white collars or a certain type of robe to indicate they are clergy members. Some people will dress in high dollar suits to indicate they are someone important. Rap artists will dress with jewelry and hats on backwards to identify themselves. When a person goes to a dinner party, he will dress up more, than when he is just relaxing with some friends at a pool party or on the beach.
As a person changes clothes, it changes who he is at the moment or what he does.
One type of clothing that everyone starts out wearing is sin and the sinful practices of this world. When a person begins to follow Jesus, he must be willing to change his clothes in order to meet with God. Although a person cannot change himself completely, God is there to help him change his clothing, to change his character.
The clothing of God is not physical clothing, but one of love, joy, peace, patience, humility, self-control, and more. It identifies the person as a follower of Jesus, a disciple of Jesus.
Take a look at yourself and determine what you are wearing. Who do you look like? Do you look like the world, living in sin and selfish ways? Or do you look like Jesus, holy and righteous?
As you notice what clothing you are wearing, take time to ask God to help you change any clothing you might be wearing that does not honor Him. God can change you, but you must be willing. Be the new person Jesus has made you to be.
I pray today that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will wear the clothing of God; that the world will see you as a follower of Jesus; that you will look like Jesus to the world; and that you will allow God to change your clothes.
I have been reading a book about Jacob so this was good!
Thank you. What book are you reading?
It is ‘All’s well that ends well’ by R. T. Kendall
I will try to find it and read it.
Yes you should. It’s a very good read
Change your clothes…Clothe yourself with Jesus early in the morning and you will be well-dressed all day long. Bless you
Amen! Well said. Thank you.