Put on clean clothing — Scripture Reflection #077

Genesis 35:2-3 (New Living Translation)

2 So Jacob told everyone in his household, “Get rid of all your pagan idols, purify yourselves, and put on clean clothing. 3 We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”

While God does not require us to put on an immaculate dress code each time we come before Him, it is wise to do what we need to do to put ourselves in the best posture we can when we come before Him. It is wise to set aside times, places, or things that will help us come closer to and focus on our Heavenly Father.

For example, Jesus embodies this point and shows us what it means to set aside time to spend with God in His own lifetime. In Mark chapter one, we see Jesus waking up early to go be with His Father in a solitary place. Furthermore, Jesus, in Matthew chapter six, instructs us to go to our room and meet with God in the secret place when we pray. That is, we are to set aside a place of prayer where we can come before the King of kings, where no distractions can take away from our time with Him. Lastly, in today’s scripture, Jacob tells his family to purify themselves and put on clean clothing. This clean clothing may have represented how what they were about to do–build an altar of praise to God–was to be a distinguished act. It was to get them ready to be in the presence of God.

The Point: As you establish your walk with Jesus, intentionally set aside times, places, and things that help you focus solely on God.