Jacob – Following God Without Looking Back

• Remember all the deceptions that have occurred. Jacob is here because of it. Abraham built an altar near here (12:8). But, Jacob’s spiritual disciplines had probably long since disappeared.
• Notice how many times the word place is used (v. 10-19) This was a special place.

• God’s direct revelation came in a dream. (e.g. Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, Cornelius)
• A stairway to heaven ® a way to get from heaven to earth, and back again
• The angels of God ® the way to God was accessible
• God Himself ® grace, covenant is not for material gain (Matt. 19, Luke 9, Mark 10)

• First, God wanted Jacob to know who He was (v. 13). Then, the promise is repeated (v. 14)
• There are 3 parts to the promise; land, many descendants, and a blessing
• God also promises his constant presence, needed for a lonely man on the run

• God had made the same promises to Abraham, several times in fact. But in wasn’t till Abraham faced the reality of childlessness that he experienced salvation (15:5,6; Romans 4:18-5:1) At that time, God told Abraham to count the stars, so would his offspring be
• Here, Jacob may have looked up at the night sky and experienced the same thing
• It’s clear that Jacob was deeply moved by being near to God’s presence (v. 16,17)
• One of the disciples Jesus called was Nathanael (John 1:43-51). Nathanael did not have a high opinion of anyone who came from Nazareth (v. 46) But Jesus saw him while he was still under the fig tree (v. 48), and most importantly, Jesus called Himself the stairway! (v. 51)

• True faith demonstrates itself through action (James 2:17)
• Jacob built an altar, and called the place Bethel ("House of God")
• Jacob made a commitment and took a vow (v. 20-22). He couldn’t do it alone.

For next week, read Genesis 29, 30:1-24