Genesis 35:1 “And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.”
When “Jacob” was in great distress, “God said unto” him, “Arise, go up to Bethel”. In a previous time of distress, “Jacob” had changed the name of “Luz” to “Bethel” because the Lord had appeared unto him in this place (Genesis 28:19). The word “Bethel” means House Of God and is typically prophetic of the New Testament Church. In times of distress, there is no better place to be than in the House Of God. It is in the House Of God where we hear and experience things that push back our distress and cloaks us with peace and joy, like a warm coat on a bitterly cold day. It is in the House Of God where the Holy Spirit sends comforting messages by His preachers. It is in the House Of God where the Holy Spirit leads us to think on Holy things, things greater and mightier and more sure than ourselves. It is in the House Of God where the Holy Spirit moves among us and we experience the sweet joys of fellowship among the Children of God. It is in the House Of God where the Holy Spirit leads us to joyfully worship the Lord our merciful God. When the time comes to leave, we go away declaring, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalms 122:1). As soon as we depart, we begin to prayerfully look forward to the next Lord’s day when we “Arise, go up to Bethel”, the House Of God.