Contemplative Bible Reading

Genesis 35:5-6 (New Living Translation)

4 So they gave Jacob all their pagan idols and earrings, and he buried them under the great tree near Shechem. 5 As they set out, a terror from God spread over the people in all the towns of that area, so no one attacked Jacob’s family.

This is part of the (hi)story of the travels of Jacob. At this point, Jacob gathers all the idols in their many forms and buries them. He leave them behind. This is quite a buried treasure for someone to find.

After that, Jacob and his great family sets out on a journey through hostile territory. No reason to fear, for God spreads a terror over all the people in that area. The people were so terrified that no one attacked Jacob’s family.

Note, because they were travelling, lived in tents, and made camp every night, the had no defensive positions. They had no walls or strong buildings in which to sit and defend themselves. They were exposed at all times. They were “easy pickings” for those who would harm them and steal their possessions.

Yet, none of that happened. God’s terror kept everyone away. Maybe we don’t call it a “terror” these days, but I believe God does this today. God causes people who have the power to attack, kill, and steal to not do those those things. Some people travel safely through unsafe territories. There is no natural explanation for such. It is the supernatural work of God in the lives of people. Even those, and especially those, people who have no regard for God.