Bible Study Online ArticleLocated at the Bottom of Page In the last article we learned that after Isaac had listened to his wife's concerns when it came to Jacob's future wife. We'd discovered that Isaac would speak another blessing into Jacob's life. This particular blessing was basically a reminder of what God had told Abraham back during his day. After receiving this blessing, Isaac had sent Jacob to Rebekah's brother Laban - so that he could find himself a God-fearing wife.
We also discovered that Esau would learn of Jacob's departure, but he wouldn't pursue the brother he had vowed to destroy. Instead, Esau would head to his uncle's house - the house of Ishmael - in order for him to find a more suitable wife that his parents would approve of. I pointed out that although Esau was trying to make things right, from his earlier mishaps, he had indeed, made things worse. Be that as it may, we now find Jacob doing as his father had instructed him. Being that the Sacred Record had revealed that Jacob had left out from the city that was known as "Beer-sheba" and he was now headed towards Syria. Keep in mind that Jacob was now separated from the life that he had grown accustom to. He was now at a point, to where he no longer had access to the benefits and the privileges that he had enjoyed while living in his father's great estate. Know that Jacob would now find himself all alone and traveling on a path of uncertainty. And also know that this particular path, was designed to bring him a season of difficulty, that would eventually bring him face-to-face with the simplicities of life, and how to be better connected to God. For we must keep in mind that Jacob really didn't know the Lord at this point in his life, but this would change rather quickly. As we move forward, we now find that Jacob had arrived at a place that was known as "Luz" which simply meant "an almond tree". Know that this was a place that was located about forty miles out, from whence Jacob had left. Now it was at this placed that was called "Luz" that Jacob decided to rest for the night, being that the sun had now set and the place seemed more comfortable and convenient at this time of the day for him to rest. Next we find that he would gather up a large stone and he would use this stone as a pillow to rest his head on while he slept for the night. During his slumber Jacob would have a dream, in which he saw a ladder that was setup on the earth, and its top was seen reaching into the heavens. It would be at this time that Jacob saw angels ascending and descending upon it. Oh, what a moment of delight and relief this must have been for Jacob being that he was able to have a dream of such, especially at this particular moment in time. Being that at this point in his life, he had sown so many bad seeds. What a blessed fortune that God has bestowed upon Jacob for he now knows that God is still with him. Make no mistake, Jacob at this moment in his life, can now see past the natural world and into the spiritual. His dream showed him a ladder with a divine purpose, which brought forth the heavenly confirmation that showed him that the gifts of God's grace, mercy and providence had not left him. For he now knows that he's not alone, as though it seemed before. God was still in his life, guiding and instructing him, just like the Lord had done earlier with his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac. And in this dream, Jacob saw the Lord Almighty standing at the top of the ladder. And it would be at this time, that the Lord had spoke to him: "I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." -- Genesis 28:13-15 So like I stated earlier, Jacob no longer felt isolated and all alone. He now sees that he has more than just the comfort and support of his mother Rebekah. All his life he watched as his brother Esau received and claimed the highest of honors and love when it came to their father Isaac. Now for the first time in his life, Jacob had more than his mother's reassurance that he had purpose of great worth. Jacob has now received a direct divine confirmation from the Heavenly Father Himself, and in such a way that it could never be denied. After Jacob had awoken from his slumber, he said to himself: "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it." And once he'd finally realized that the Lord was so near to him, a fear came over him: "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven." And soon after that day had ended, early the next morning, Jacob would take the stone that he had used as a pillow the night before and set it up as monument. This was done in order to show honor and respect for the One True God. Jacob would then pour oil on the top of the stone monument and it's at this time he declared that this place was no longer to be called "Luz" (an almond tree), but now it shall be known as "Beth-el" which means "the house of God". And it's at this time, Jacob made a vow to the one true God: "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my fathers house, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth." -- Genesis 28:20-22 Now that Jacob had pledge a commitment and dedicated service to the one true God, the path that the promise bearer was journeying on was uncertain no more. Jacob, although he did not know what was to await him on his travels, he could now be at peace knowing that he was no longer alone and that nothing but greatness awaits him. **YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE** 43) Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty 44) <-CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE PAGE-> 46) Jacob - The Love Season of Reaping 50) The Mandrake Plant of Love  |
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