Genesis 35:2

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

Around the world there are groups of people who worship physical statues that are idols of their gods. Often this is thought of just groups of native and primitive people from third world nations.

Yet throughout every nation there are people who worship idols of various forms every day. Many will not call these idols gods, as some do, but they are their gods.

After being told by God to go and build an altar, Jacob told his family and people with him to get rid of all foreign gods, purify themselves and change their clothes. He was preparing to go and guild that altar.

The gods that many people worship, but refuse to call a ‘god’, are the things that people place above everything else in their lives.

It is very easy for things to gain importance in one’s life. These things can cost a lot of money or time to purchase and so one wants to take care of it and treasure them. In the process of taking care of these things, other people and God gets left out of the picture.

As God is left out of the picture, their clothes are soiled by stepping into sinful practices and ignoring God’s commands. This does not often occur quickly, but slowly over time, allowing the world to have a foothold in one’s life, pulling him away from God.

Rather than allow these idols in one’s life, every believer needs to cast out these foreign idols and turn to God. He must allow Jesus to purify him from all sin, changing his clothing so that he is wearing robes of Christ’s righteousness and can build an altar to God.

Take time to examine your life and determine if you have allowed any foreign idols in your life. Is there anything in your life that takes your focus away from God? That thing is a foreign idol.

You are no longer a member of the world, if you believe in Jesus, but are a member of God’s family. Cast out those idols and allow Jesus to be the Master of your life. Jesus is waiting to purify you and cloth you in righteousness and holiness.

Allow God to be the only god in your life.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that God will reveal any idols in your life; that God will strengthen you to get rid of any idols in your life; that you will allow Jesus to purify you of all sin and cloth you in His righteousness; and that God will be your only god.

Shot of a young man tying his tie in front of the bathroom mirror

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.