Stewarding Prophetic Promises

"And God said to him, 'I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants.'" - Gen 35:11 NIV

In Genesis 34-35, after Jacob's daughter, Dinah, is raped by a Hivite, Jacob's sons trick the men of the area into believing that they can come together at one people but only if the canaanite men get circumcised.

3 days later, while the canaanite men are recovering, Simeon and Levi come through and strike them down with the sword and plunder them. After this, Jacob is worried that the surrounding canaanites, which are greater in number, will come and attack him and his people (Gen 34:30).

In response to Jacob's concerns, God speaks to him. He tells Jacob to return to Bethel, the place where God revealed himself to Jacob when he was fleeing Esau (Gen 35:1). He tells all the people among him to purify themselves and get rid of their idols before going up. Jacob builds an altar to God in Bethel.

God then reminds Jacob of his promises to him. He reminds him that he is no longer called "Jacob" but "Israel" (Gen 35:9). He reminds him of his promises that Israel will birth kings and nations, and Israel will possess the land of the canaanites (Gen 35:11-12).