Kelly - Genesis 31

This chapter uses 3 names for God - two of which are new to me.

1. The God of Bethel - the only time I can think of where God is specifically tied to a place (until the building of the temple). Perhaps Jacob meant something like "the God I met at Bethel" - but I still find this title for God a little strange. I've always thought that tying God to a specific place led to more trouble than not - but it is a very human thing to do. There are certainly a number of people who have spent generations at Faith Lutheran - and separating their love for place from their love of God is a little sticky sometimes. And the importance of a location is key in all the wars that have taken place (and continue to take place) over the land of Israel for the past several thousand years.

I've lived in enough places and attended enough churches over the past 30 years that this doesn't play the same role in my life. But there are places in my memory where God has made a difference in my life. When I have returned to them, though, they have been different. Perhaps the places have changed, perhaps my memory has embellished - but that doesn't change what they are in my faith life.

2. The God of Abraham - Nothing new here.

3. The Fear of Isaac - This is strange. I'm not used to equating God with Fear - especially as a name - but I can accept it. What I don't quite see is why Isaac is singled out as the one who fears God. Perhaps this begins when his father almost sacrificed him on an altar in obedience to God. Perhaps Jacob invokes this fear in his own self-preservation. He had cheated Isaac out of his blessing - and refers to Isaac's need to fear God in order that his own status is strengthened and assured.