Choosing God Instead of the World - Learning From the Lives of Jacob and JosephSýnishorn

Read: Genesis 28:10–22

SOAP: Genesis 28:15

“I am with you! I will protect you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you.”

Into the text

Jacob had deceived his father and brother. Even though his father had blessed him too, Esau was still angry with Jacob. Jacob quickly became a fugitive because of his sin. As he set out on his journey, both to find a wife and escape his brother’s wrath, his father’s parting words confirmed God’s blessing and promise.

As he traveled, Jacob reached a certain place and camped for the night. While the place seemed of no significance initially, it became a holy place for Jacob and his descendants. It was in this place that Jacob’s journey of faith began.

God appeared to him in a dream, revealing Himself and His promises. God gave Jacob the same specific promise He had given to his father and grandfather: he would have many descendants, he would receive the land, and all the families of the earth would be blessed through him. God promised to be with Jacob, to protect him and never leave him.

As Jacob woke up, he recognized the divine encounter. He acknowledged God’s presence and the holiness of the place. Jacob named the place Bethel. The place he rested was a town called Luz, but Jacob renamed it. Like many places involved in God’s promise, this place was renamed because it marked a significant turning point in the fulfillment of the promise. It was here that the Lord became Jacob’s God and Jacob vowed to worship Him.

Jacob’s journey of faith was full of major turning points. Here, God’s presence turned a fugitive into a worshiper. A man of deception became a man of faith (though he would wrestle with this sin for many years). It was not the last time Jacob would have a midnight encounter with God that would change his life. Jacob vowed to remember this moment and this place by marking the place with a stone.

God’s presence filled the place where Jacob was. Jacob had done nothing to earn God’s favor. God chose Jacob and continued to pursue him, and Jacob responded in worship. When we encounter God’s presence through His Word, it should lead us to worship. We do not need to wait for a midnight encounter to experience God’s presence. If we are followers of Christ, we can experience God’s presence and the assurance of His promises every day through His Word and His Holy Spirit. He is with us as He was with Jacob. He has given us incredible promises in His Word. May we respond as Jacob did, with worship and commitment.