Genesis 35:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Observe the devotion and reverence of the righteous man. Upon receiving the command, ‘Go to Bethel, build an altar,’ he promptly gathered his family and instructed them, ‘Forsake the foreign gods among you.’ One might wonder what gods he referred to, since he had never been seen worshipping any. His piety had been unwavering from the start. Perhaps he was alluding to the deities of Laban, which Rachel had taken; thus, he declared, ‘As we prepare to offer our thanks to the one true God, who continually intercedes for me, cast down any idols you may hold. Cleanse yourselves and change your attire. Let us ascend to the city, ensuring that we are purified both externally and internally. Let our ascent to Bethel not be merely marked by clean garments but also by the sanctification of our hearts through the renunciation of idols.’

He clearly demonstrates to his followers the way to approach the dwelling of God. It was He who instructed them to cast aside their foreign idols and to change their attire. We are likewise called to do this when we come before the Lord and enter His sacred temple, particularly during the solemn occasion of baptism. It is essential that we, in a sense, forsake foreign deities, distancing ourselves from such illusions, and proclaim: ‘I renounce you, Satan,’ ‘along with all your arrogance,’ ‘and all your servitude’ (as found in the Trebnik, ‘Prayers for the Evanggelised’ in the baptismal rite). Furthermore, we should change our garments, shedding the ‘old self, corrupted by deceitful desires... and putting on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness’ (Eph. 4:22) (Col. 3:10).

The deities of foreigners refer initially to the idols taken from Laban by Rachel (Gen. 31:19). Moreover, since Jacob's remarks are directed to his entire household and those accompanying him, this encompasses the idols belonging to the servants acquired in Mesopotamia. Some interpretations also include the idols obtained in Shechem. Jacob's example may serve to clarify the contemporary glorification of the tolerance of faith. It is indeed true that love is patient and does not succumb to irritation (1 Cor. 13:4), yet it does not negate a zealous passion for God’s dwelling (John 2:17). Tolerance of erroneous worship should not equate to offense or harm against the truth.