Thursday 16 November 2023
- Bible Book:
- Genesis
Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, 'Surely the Lord is in this place – and I did not know it!' And he was afraid and said, 'How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.' (vs 16-17)
Background
Following on from Genesis 27, with its account of deceit, which we considered yesterday, we now come to see some of its consequences. Jacob's brother Esau wants to kill him for cheating him out of their father's Isaac's blessing. Genesis 28 tells the story of Jacob fleeing from home to begin his journey to Mesopotamia to find a wife among his own people. There is, however, some hope in the situation and the story turns from bane to blessing. It seems that there has been some measure of reconciliation between Isaac and Jacob. Isaac blesses Jacob as he goes, giving to Jacob the full blessing of Abraham (Isaac's father) including a version of God's promises to Abraham.
On the road to Mesopotamia and apparently alone, Jacob is forced to sleep on the ground. As he sleeps, Jacob dreams of a ladder connecting heaven to earth on which angels are ascending and descending. In the dream, Jacob receives the same promises in the same words that God had spoken to Abraham. He will give to Jacob and his descendants the very ground he is sleeping on. (v. 13) He will make Jacob's offspring as the dust of the earth spreading out in every direction. All the peoples of the earth will be blessed through Jacob's offspring. More immediately, the Lord promises to be with Jacob wherever he goes.
On waking, Jacob asserts “Surely the Lord is in this place”. (v. 16) Jacob calls the place Bethel, which means 'house of God', and sets up a stone pillar to commemorate the spot. In repeating the promises, it is made clear that God is not only the God of the first and the second generation (Abraham and Isaac), but also the God of Jacob and his descendants.
If you stand in the pulpit of Leeds Minster you can see out of the building through a clear window above the door. Etched on the glass of that window is a contemporary work of art that depicts the story of Jacob at Bethel. It is clear to the preacher, observing from the pulpit, that the phrase “surely the Lord is in this place” refers to the world beyond the door of the Minster. Like Jacob in the wilderness, we, inheriting the blessing within the places of our everyday existence, can know the Lord is present in our midst and be filled with awe, wonder and worship.
To Ponder:
- When have you, like Jacob, had a sudden awareness of having been in the presence of God?
- Have you been involved in a 'New Place for New People' project, or something similar, which reminds you of God’s involvement with the world beyond the walls of the church?
- Where, in your everyday living, do you encounter the blessing of God which brings you to a place of awe and wonder?