John Calvin Commentary Genesis 35:2

"Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the foreign gods that are among you, and purify yourselves, and change your garments:" — Genesis 35:2 (ASV)

Then Jacob said to his household. The prompt obedience of Jacob is described here. For when he heard the voice of God, he neither doubted nor disputed with himself about what needed to be done; but, as he was commanded, he quickly prepared himself for his journey. To show that he obeyed God, he not only collected his goods but also purified his house from idols.

For if we desire God to be favorable to us, all hindrances must be removed that in any way separate him from us. From this we also perceive what Rachel's theft was aiming at. For (as we have said) she neither wished to draw her father away from superstition but rather followed him in his fault, nor did she keep this poison to herself but spread it throughout the whole family.

Thus, that sacred house was infected with the worst contagion. From this it also appears how great mankind's propensity is for impious and corrupt worship, since the household members of Jacob, to whom the pure religion had been handed down, so eagerly seized the idols offered to them.

And Jacob was not entirely ignorant of the evil. But it is probable that he was so much under his wife's influence that, by connivance, he silently cherished this plague in his family. And truly, in one word, he convicts and condemns both himself and the rest by calling idols “strange gods.” For from where did the distinction made here arise, unless from his knowing that he ought to be devoted to one God only?

For there is a tacit comparison between the God of Abraham and all other gods that the world had wickedly invented for itself. This was not because it was in Abraham's power to determine who the true God should be, but because God had manifested Himself to Abraham, He also wished to assume His name.

Jacob therefore confesses his own negligence in having admitted idols into his house, to which God had closed the door. For wherever the knowledge of the true God shines, it is necessary to drive far away whatever men devise for themselves that is contrary to the true knowledge of him.

But since Jacob had been lulled to sleep either by the flatteries of his wife or had neglected to do his duty through fleshly carelessness, he is now aroused by the fear of danger to become more earnest in the pure worship of God. If this happened to the holy patriarch, how much more ought we to dread carnal security in times of prosperity?

If, however, at any time such torpor and neglect should steal upon us, may God's paternal chastisement rouse and stimulate us to diligently purge ourselves from whatever faults we may have contracted by our negligence. God's infinite goodness is conspicuous here, since he still condescended to regard Jacob's house as his sanctuary, though it was polluted with idols.

For although Jacob associated with idolaters, and even his wife—a patroness of idolatry—slept in his bosom, his sacrifices were always acceptable to God. Yet this great kindness of God in granting pardon neither lessens the holy man's fault nor should be used by us as an occasion for negligence.

For though Jacob did not approve of these superstitions, yet it was not thanks to him that the pure worship of God was not gradually undermined. For the corruption that originated with Rachel was now beginning to spread more widely.

And the example of all ages teaches the same thing. For the truth of God scarcely ever prevails so much among people, however strenuously pious teachers may labor in maintaining it, that some superstitions do not remain among the common people. If dissimulation is added to them, the mischief soon spreads gradually, until it takes possession of the whole body.

By being cherished in this way, the mass of superstitions that today pervades the Papacy has gained its influence. Therefore, we must boldly resist these beginnings of evil, lest true religion should be injured by the sloth and silence of the pastors.

And be clean, and change your garments. This is an exhortation to the external profession of penitence. For Jacob wishes that his household members, who had previously polluted themselves, should testify to their renewed purification by a change of garments. With the same design and purpose, the people, after they had made the golden calves, were commanded by Moses to take off their ornaments.

Only, in that instance, a different method was observed: namely, that the people, having laid aside their ornaments, simply confessed their guilt with mournful and plain apparel. But in Jacob's house, the garments were changed so that those who had been defiled might come forth as new men. Yet the purpose (as I have said) was the same: that by this external rite, idolaters might learn how great the atrocity of their wickedness was.

For although repentance is an inward virtue and resides in the heart, yet this ceremony was by no means superfluous. For we know how little inclined men are to be displeased with themselves for their sins, unless they are pierced with many goads. Again, God's glory is also involved in this: that men should not only inwardly reflect on their guilt but at the same time openly declare it.

This then is the sum: although God had given no express command about purifying his house, yet because he had commanded an altar to be raised, Jacob, so that he might yield pure obedience to God, took care that all hindrances were removed. And he did this when necessity compelled him to seek God's help.