Bethel

Bethel^[1] first appears in the journeys of Abram, who “pitched his tent, with Bethel^[1] on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord” (Genesis 12:8).

The city becomes still more significant in Jacob’s life. Fleeing Esau, Jacob dreams of the staircase reaching to heaven, hears the reaffirmed Abrahamic promises, and consecrates the spot with a pillar and vow (Genesis 28:10-22). On his return, the Lord commands, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there, and build an altar to the God who appeared to you” (Genesis 35:1). Jacob obeys, buries foreign gods, and again receives covenant promises (Genesis 35:9-15). In the patriarchal narratives Bethel thus functions as a marker that God is present, faithful, and intent on purifying His chosen people.

Genesis 35:1 "And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel^[1], and dwell^[2] there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother."

What does it mean to go to Bethel^[1], and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God" Why is that a conflict with Esau. We discussed this when we studied Genesis 18.

Strange gods

Genesis 35:2 "Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange(הַנֵּכָר֙ hannêkār) gods(אֱלֹהֵ֤י ’ĕlōhê)strange(הַנֵּכָר֙ hannêkār) gods(אֱלֹהֵ֤י ’ĕlōhê) that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:"

What does it means to "Put away the strange gods".

strange(הַנֵּכָר֙ hannêkār) gods(אֱלֹהֵ֤י ’ĕlōhê).
What are these gods?
What is it to be clean, and change your garments:
and what are the cities of oppression and cities of blood and civil cauldrons that become flesh pots?

Genesis 35:3 "And let us arise, and go up to Bethel^[1]; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went."

The text repeats "go up to Bethel^[1]; and I will make there an altar unto God,... in the way which I went.

We may also ask why the earrings that were in their ears?

05141 hannəzāmîm הַנְּזָמִ֖ים the earrings (HeyNunZayinMemYodMem)
0241 bə’āzənêhem; בְּאָזְנֵיהֶ֑ם in their ears (BeitAlefZayinNunYodHeyMem)

Warning of Prophets

Amos, ministering to the northern kingdom, repeatedly singles out Bethel: • “On the day I punish Israel’s transgressions, I will also visit punishment on the altars of Bethel” (Amos 3:14). • “Seek Me and live; but do not seek Bethel” (Amos 5:4-5).

Hosea also calls the city “Beth-aven” (house of wickedness) in Hosea 10:5. Though Bethel had begun as a place of profound revelation, the prophets expose how a corrupted shrine cannot cloak covenant infidelity.

The spiritual status of Bethel changes drastically under Jeroboam I, who installs one of his two golden calves there: “And he set the one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan” (1 Kings 12:29).

This was the same problem we see with the Corban of the Pharisees and Herod.

For the same reason that the temple of Jerusalem became a den of thieves and the system of the Golden calf was a return to Egypt Bethel becomes synonymous with apostasy. The anonymous “man of God from Judah” denounces the altar (1 Kings 13), and a prophetic son of Jehu later destroys its shrine (2 Kings 23:15). Nevertheless idolatrous worship persists for centuries just as it does today through a civil fornication.^[3]

Public religion of the world replaces, or becomes a substitute for the pure religion of the early Church. While the people remain blind, and continue to be sitting in darkness new apostasy takes the place of the old.

The repetition in history from Nimrod of Babylon to FDR of Mystery Babylon illustrates the tenacity of false religion once it gains political sanction feeding the seared conscience of the people.^[4]

True worship demands obedience to the word of God and the doctrine of Jesus. When Bethel’s altars turn idolatrous, prophetic judgment is inevitable.

The oak... terebinth

It is noteworthy that Joshua, under the same “oak” of Shechem ('Joshua 24':26), testified against the primitive worship of strange gods; cf. Joshua 24:2; Joshua 24:14; Joshua 24:23. For the “terebinth,” cf. Genesis 12:6. The same sacred tree is possibly mentioned in Judges 9:6."^[5]

The burial of the idols indicated a transition in Jacob's spiritual journey to a system devoid of the covetous practices of idolatry.^[6]

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 ^1.5
01008 בֵּית־אֵל‎ Beyth-’El [bayth-ale’] from 01004 BeitYodTav said to be a preposition meaning to but commonly translated house or household or even family and 0410 AlefLamed meaning god, god-like one, mighty one; n pr loc; [BDB-110b] [{See TWOT on 241 @@ "241a" }] AV-Bethel 66, non translated variable 4; 70
- Bethel= "house of God" from two words
1) ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin, identified with Luz (former name)

2) a place in south country of Judah, not far from Beersheba and Ziklag
- ב Beit Purpose: God's Dwelling Place Below - a house or God's house here. [household, in, into] (Numeric value: 2)
- י Yod The Infinite Point of essential good. Divine spark hidden in the ט Tet. Spark of spirit. [closed hand... Deed, work, to make] (Numeric value: 10)
- ת Tav is a Seal of a Higher kingdom or realm through faith. The paradigm keter–malchut “The Crown of Sovereignty” from the Tree of Life spiritually linking worlds or realms through an unseen doorway of faith. The Aleph & Tav are the first and last letters. [door sign cross seal] (Numeric value: 400)
- א Alef Father-Son- begin- The Paradox: God and Man - (ox bull) [strength, leader, first] (Numeric value: 1)
- ל Lamed means Aspiration of the Heart or to learn or even direct like a shepherd. It has to do with what the Hand produces, [hand is די Yod Dalet] or directs with staff, whip... like the tongue may direct. (Numeric value: 30)
↑ Abide in the light
John 12:45-46 “‭45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. ‭46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

John 14:15-16 “‭15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. ‭16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”

John 15:4-11 “‭4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. ‭5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. {without me: or, severed from me} ‭6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. ‭7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. “‭8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. ‭9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. ‭10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. ‭11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
↑ Fornication, adultery and idolatry
Colossians 3:5 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:"

Ephesians 5:5 "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."

1 Corinthians 5:10 "Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."

Psalms 106:38 And shed innocent blood, [even] the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.

Ezekiel 16:36 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;

Proverbs 2:16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, [even] from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words;

Proverbs 20:16 Take his garment that is surety [for] a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
↑
A conscience seared
- 1 Timothy 4:1 "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;...12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
- Jeremiah 5:21 "Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:"
- Matthew 7:15 ¶ "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
- Matthew 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
- 2 Peter 2:1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 ¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. :
- 2 Timothy 3:1 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
- Ephesians 4:17 "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
↑ Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
↑
Covetousness is idolatry
Colossians 3:5 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:"

Ephesians 5:5 "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."

1 Corinthians 5:10 "Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."
- For it is written that the tables of dainties provided by rulers of the world are a snare because they cause the masses to bite one another through government systems of legal charity which are covetous practices which are a form of fornication or adultery where the people are devoured as merchandise, curse children and are "entangled again in the yoke of bondage" with the aid of the false religion of the whore who rides the beast.

[Bethel-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 ^1.4 ^1.5 01008 בֵּית־אֵל‎ Beyth-’El [bayth-ale’] from 01004 BeitYodTav said to be a preposition meaning to but commonly translated house or household or even family and 0410 AlefLamed meaning god, god-like one, mighty one; n pr loc; [BDB-110b] [{See TWOT on 241 @@ "241a" }] AV-Bethel 66, non translated variable 4; 70
Bethel= "house of God" from two words

1) ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin, identified with Luz (former name)

2) a place in south country of Judah, not far from Beersheba and Ziklag

ב Beit Purpose: God's Dwelling Place Below - a house or God's house here. [household, in, into] (Numeric value: 2)

י Yod The Infinite Point of essential good. Divine spark hidden in the ט Tet. Spark of spirit. [closed hand... Deed, work, to make] (Numeric value: 10)

ת Tav is a Seal of a Higher kingdom or realm through faith. The paradigm keter–malchut “The Crown of Sovereignty” from the Tree of Life spiritually linking worlds or realms through an unseen doorway of faith. The Aleph & Tav are the first and last letters. [door sign cross seal] (Numeric value: 400)

א Alef Father-Son- begin- The Paradox: God and Man - (ox bull) [strength, leader, first] (Numeric value: 1)

ל Lamed means Aspiration of the Heart or to learn or even direct like a shepherd. It has to do with what the Hand produces, [hand is די Yod Dalet] or directs with staff, whip... like the tongue may direct. (Numeric value: 30)

[2] Bethel= "house of God" from two words

[3] ב Beit Purpose: God's Dwelling Place Below - a house or God's house here. [household, in, into] (Numeric value: 2)

[4] י Yod The Infinite Point of essential good. Divine spark hidden in the ט Tet. Spark of spirit. [closed hand... Deed, work, to make] (Numeric value: 10)

[5] ת Tav is a Seal of a Higher kingdom or realm through faith. The paradigm keter–malchut “The Crown of Sovereignty” from the Tree of Life spiritually linking worlds or realms through an unseen doorway of faith. The Aleph & Tav are the first and last letters. [door sign cross seal] (Numeric value: 400)

[6] א Alef Father-Son- begin- The Paradox: God and Man - (ox bull) [strength, leader, first] (Numeric value: 1)

[7] ל Lamed means Aspiration of the Heart or to learn or even direct like a shepherd. It has to do with what the Hand produces, [hand is די Yod Dalet] or directs with staff, whip... like the tongue may direct. (Numeric value: 30)

[Abideme-2] Abide in the light
John 12:45-46 “‭45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. ‭46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

John 14:15-16 “‭15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. ‭16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”

John 15:4-11 “‭4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. ‭5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. {without me: or, severed from me} ‭6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. ‭7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. “‭8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. ‭9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. ‭10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. ‭11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

[fornidols-3] Fornication, adultery and idolatry
Colossians 3:5 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:"

Ephesians 5:5 "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."

1 Corinthians 5:10 "Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."

Psalms 106:38 And shed innocent blood, [even] the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.

Ezekiel 16:36 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;

Proverbs 2:16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, [even] from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words;

Proverbs 20:16 Take his garment that is surety [for] a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

[Searedc-4] A conscience seared
1 Timothy 4:1 "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;...12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Jeremiah 5:21 "Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:"

Matthew 7:15 ¶ "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

Matthew 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

2 Peter 2:1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 ¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. :

2 Timothy 3:1 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Ephesians 4:17 "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

[11] 1 Timothy 4:1 "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;...12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

[12] Jeremiah 5:21 "Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:"

[13] Matthew 7:15 ¶ "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

[14] Matthew 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

[15] 2 Peter 2:1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 ¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. :

[16] 2 Timothy 3:1 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

[17] Ephesians 4:17 "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

[5] Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

[Isidolatry-6] Covetousness is idolatry
Colossians 3:5 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:"

Ephesians 5:5 "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."

1 Corinthians 5:10 "Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat."

For it is written that the tables of dainties provided by rulers of the world are a snare because they cause the masses to bite one another through government systems of legal charity which are covetous practices which are a form of fornication or adultery where the people are devoured as merchandise, curse children and are "entangled again in the yoke of bondage" with the aid of the false religion of the whore who rides the beast.

[20] For it is written that the tables of dainties provided by rulers of the world are a snare because they cause the masses to bite one another through government systems of legal charity which are covetous practices which are a form of fornication or adultery where the people are devoured as merchandise, curse children and are "entangled again in the yoke of bondage" with the aid of the false religion of the whore who rides the beast.

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Bethel

Contents

Bethel

Strange gods

Warning of Prophets

The oak... terebinth

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Bethel

Bethel

Strange gods

Warning of Prophets

The oak... terebinth

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