From Fugitive to Follower

Read Genesis 28:10-22

Up till now Jacob‟s life has left a lot to be desired. He conned his older brother out of his birthright and stole his dying father‟s blessing. He‟s definitely lived up to his name so far- one who deceives. As a result we find him on the run for his life and fleeing the country. He had certainly made a mess of things. Yet instead of finding God‟s judgment on this estranged son, and fugitive brother, we find his revelation. The purpose? Transformation! Let‟s take a closer look at some more specific points within the passage:
Place: The story starts off with saying it‟s a “certain place”, yet later we see that the place was in fact a city known as Luz, which gets renamed Bethel later on. Why is the name of the place not important at first?
Object: Jacob sleeps on a stone. Is it just any stone?
Revelation: A stairway leading from him on earth to God in Heaven, with the angels ascending from where he was (they were with him) to where God was, and coming down from God to him. God talks to him and tells him that he is with him like he was with his father and grandfather even though Jacob has felt alone on his journey. God desires him even in his current state. God is close to him.
Promise: God reiterates the promise that he originally made to Abraham to Jacob about increasing his descendants, blessing the world through them, and watching over Jacob, and bringing him back to his inheritance. God promises Jacob the spiritual inheritance of being part of the Chosen people. Something that Jacob does not have to deceive or steal to get, but something that far outlasts a physical inheritance. It will also involve the constant joys and struggles that Jacob has with God for the rest of his life.
Confession: Jacob recognizes the LORD‟s presence and work in his life and that even in the most unlikely place God is still at work in amazing ways. His attitude is changed and he stopped thinking about running away for a moment and stood in awe and reverent fear of God. This is important for us because we may be in the same kind of hurry and bustling in our own lives. When do we take time to stand in awe of God?
Object: The stone Jacob is sleeping on is none other than the pillar that becomes the altar at Bethel. This was not any small stone, this was a STONE!!! God also transforms this object into a physical reminder for Jacob of what he has promised. Can you think of any physical reminders God has shown you in your walk with him?
Place: Jacob renames the city of Luz. He calls it Bethel meaning, “House of God”. The place has importance now because of the revelation and the promise. Our loneliest places can still be the “gate of heaven” by which God reaches out to us. For us believers it is even more so since the Holy Spirit is present with us and we are now part of the House of God.
Promise: Jacob promises that if God just even watches over him that he will be faithful and give him a tithe of all he has. His response is one of faith and faith that has a literal response. Do you ever make promises to God because of something He taught you? Did you keep them or is that something you need to pray about?
Transformation: Jacob goes from being a deceiver, a man on the run in fear of his life, estranged from his family, and alone to a man with a purpose, a promise, and the companionship and protection of God. Jacob becomes a man who inherits, by faith, the spiritual blessing of being the father to the twelve tribes of Israel- God‟s Chosen People, who are in turn a blessing to the world. If God can do this for Jacob, then how much more can he do so for us who have been saved in Christ and have the fellowship of the Holy Spirit?
Pray and ask God to remind you of the lessons he has taught you. Pray also that he would quiet your spirit enough to listen to the things he is teaching you now, and that you would stand in awe of Him.