The People of God: The Story of the ChurchНамуна

Abraham’s son Isaac has two sons: Jacob and Esau. Jacob tricks Esau into selling his birthright to him and then must flee his brother. Despite Jacob’s own imperfections, God meets him one night on his travels at a place he will later call Bethel, which means ‘house of God.' Jacob sees a ladder between heaven and earth, this land he was in was to be a heaven on earth place, a touch point for the kingdom of God on earth. Jacob also vows to give a tenth of what he has to the Lord, a theme that will become important as his family grows to become a nation.

Later, Jacob returns to Bethel and, like Abraham, receives a new name that will become important in the story: Israel, which means ‘he who struggles with God.' Israel’s descendants will later become a nation and be known as the children of Israel. These people were to be the people of God on earth, his representatives, and agents to bring about a return to the communion of Eden. This is not an easy task, though, it might mean struggling with God. Will the people take up the challenge?