Friend: Jacob worshipped idols (or at least permitted them to be worshipped in his home) even after encountering God at Bethel and Peniel (Genesis 35:2)
Steve: Not to justify the idolatry, but Jacob was living under duress and dominance of Laban. Laban was the patriarch who set the religion for the extended family into which Jacob came. Yes, Jacob should have removed the idols when Laban's daughters became his wives. This was sin. We expect the Bible to take a few chapters condemning it explicitly, but the Word rarely does this. Instead the rebuke is indirect, as it is with polygamy and slavery. In Jacob's case, you could say he keeps his oath in Gen 28:20-21. Once he gets back safely, especially past Esau, he gets rid of other gods.
Friend: Jacob's idols were in his house long after he had left Laban's jurisdiction. I think you're right that the rebuke is indirect since the only indication we have that he possessed idols was his command to get rid of them. What puzzles me about this case is why God did not confront Jacob with this cardinal sin earlier in the time of his dream at Bethel or his wrestling match at Peniel.
Steve: Again, I would say that Jacob was either hedging his bets, or not yet sure God upheld His end of the bargain in 28:20-21. Not until after Esau welcomed him did Jacob know that God had brought him back safely. This isn't very pious, but then, that's different than righteous sometimes. Jacob was a trickster who therefore distrusted everything/one. Show me was his slogan. So when God showed him His faithfulness, Jacob put away the gods. That God puts up with this testifies to His longsuffering grace. Each one of us, as believers, has vestiges of idolatry that remain, but in Christ and in God's covenant promises we are reckoned pure. This does not justify or excuse the idolatry, but it does forgive it.
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