One of the brightest spots in the life stories of the patriarchs is this little snippet from the flight of Jacob from his brother. Here Jacob has deceived and tricked his brother one time too many, and his mother sent him away to keep him from being killed, and in his flight, on his way back to the place from which Abraham had come many years ago, God shows up and comforts Jacob. What a poignant picture of grace! Jacob should not have deserved grace or assurance from God. He was a con man, a shyster, a carnival barker! However, in the midst of his conniving ways, God had his hand upon Jacob’s life, and had a plan for him to fulfill the covenant of Abraham.
What an awesome picture of grace! God promised him the land on which he slept, and reiterated the Abrahamic covenant promises. In response to God’s grace and the vision of the ladder to heaven, Jacob called the place Bethel, which translates as House of God. The place was formerly called Luz (which means to depart or go back). Here is Jacob, departing from a bad situation that he caused, and God shows up and makes the place a house of His dwelling!
Jacob then further makes a vow to God to serve God and give a tenth of all he is given to God and that he will trust God to be with him and keep him and provide for him. If we are in a bad way, even if the bad is a result of our sin or bad decisions, God will grant grace if we honor Him when he shows Himself to us. Watch for those Jacob’s ladder moments, where God reveals Himself to you. God will show you his love and care if you recognize his presence and honor Him by declaring your house and your heart His home!
Devoted To You 