And as they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.
Jacob has just buried his household's idols under the tree at Shechem and set out for Bethel. He leaves behind a region with every reason to want revenge for what his sons did there. On that road no one came after him. God put fear on the towns around him instead.
Restraint, not safety
Nothing in Jacob's own strength made him safe. The towns nearby knew what his sons had done. One commentator names the only reason they stayed home.
L. M. GrantThey obey God and travel to Bethel. Of course the other cities around Shechem would know about the destruction Jacob's sons had caused. But one thing only kept them from chasing Jacob's company: God's restraining hand, putting fear in their hearts (v. 5).
The cleansing that came first
Before the protection came the clear-out. Jacob's household gave up their idols and even their earrings. One writer sees the same picture in the journey that followed as in Israel leaving Egypt.
J. G. BellettA man who feels and enjoys God's abounding grace cannot allow pollution. Gods and earrings, idols and worthless things all go into the ground together under an oak at Shechem, and they leave Shechem behind. Jacob gets up with everything he owns and is soon on the road to Bethel… And the Lord goes with him, as He later went with Israel on the day of their Exodus. He goes with him in strength too. The rod of Moses opened Israel's way in the face of their enemies, and the One in the cloud looked out and threw Pharaoh's army into confusion. So now we read of Jacob and his household: "As they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob."
God's hand on human hearts
The towns around Shechem were not just hostile strangers. They had a real grievance against Jacob's sons. That makes God's control of them more striking.
William KellyIdolatry had spread even to their little ornaments — the rings in their ears — so all of them had to go. The living God knows how to control and direct the heart. He can do it with enemies, and He can do it with people who have a natural reason to resent an injury. So let His children fear Him and trust Him at the same time.
Weakness as the secret
Jacob was weaker now than ever. He was limping, and on the road instead of settled. That is when the protection came.
The Christian's Friend"Our God is a consuming fire," and His saints must not forget it. They must own that first, before it goes out in power and makes itself felt for them. While Jacob was a servant in Padan-Aram, and Laban was oppressing him (Gen. 31:38-41), he was far from the place of testimony, and God did not step in for him. But now Jacob is obedient, and crippled, and on the road again. He looks weaker than before. That is when the Spirit writes of him, as he journeyed: "a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them," and they did not pursue Jacob. (Gen. 35:5.) The secret lies in that limp. He has learned that he is walking in the way with God — that kept him in order — and then God makes those who would hinder His poor servant feel the power of His presence. It is the same today. Paul learned it on his own road. "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses," he says, "so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor. 12:9.)
Where the road ends
The protected journey has a destination. One writer traces the whole sequence — the call, the buried idols, the untouched march — to where it ends.
Frederick W GrantAt the worst of his distress God's voice stirs Jacob to "go up to Bethel and dwell there." Then we hear of foreign gods in his household to put away, and of a cleansing to meet Him "who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way I went." Then the terror of God falls on the cities round about, so that they do not pursue the sons of Jacob. At Bethel his wandering ends. His new name is confirmed to him, and God declares His own name, as at Peniel He could not. The blessing is now fully his. Jacob bows in gratitude and recognises the house of God. There, the purpose of the discipline accomplished, he finds his rest at last.
Summary
- Call. God told Jacob to go up to Bethel. The safety in this verse belongs to a journey God commanded.
- Cleansing. The idols and even the earrings went under the tree at Shechem first. Parting with them came before the protection on the road.
- Cover. No human strength held the cities back. Only God's restraining hand, putting fear in their hearts, kept them from pursuing.
- Crippled. God did not step in while Jacob lived far from the place of testimony. The power showed when Jacob was limping and obedient. Paul learned the same lesson and gloried in his weakness.
- Completion. The protected road ends at Bethel. There the wandering stops, God confirms the new name, and Jacob finds rest.