Jacob’s First Encounter with God

Genesis 28:1–22
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Salvation

The next eight chapters of Genesis are about Jacob. We see God saving Jacob (Chap. 28), subduing him (Gen. 29-32), separating him (Gen. 33-34), and sanctifying him (Gen. 35). Isaac gave Jacob some advice. He told him not to marry a pagan but to walk in the ways of the Lord. The reason for marrying with his own clan was to maintain purity of the blood line and to be loyal to one’s family. The quickest way to lose tribal distinction was to intermarry with people of mixed elements. When Esau realized that his parents were grieved at his Hittite marriages (v. 8) and that his parents had sent Jacob to Haran to get a wife, he tried to gain favor with them by marrying a third wife (26:34) who was a daughter of Ishmael (vv. 5-9). He apparently thought that since Ishmael was related through Abraham, this marriage would be pleasing to them. He did not realize, however, that Ishmael had been separated from the house of Abraham by God Himself. Esau’s intention may have been good, but he did not really improve his position either with his parents or with God.

Jacob was on his way out of the land of Canaan when God revealed Himself to him. Later, God would remind him of this event when He instructed him to return to the land (Gen. 31:13). Jacob stopped for the night and had a dream of angles on a stairway to heaven (v. 12). In this dream he was reminded that the God of Abraham and of Isaac could become the God of Jacob also (v. 13). God reconfirmed the original covenant made to Abraham that promised Jacob the land, descendants as numerous as the dust, and universal blessing through him (vv. 14-15). It was not enough to be Abraham’s grandson. Jacob had to establish his own personal relationship with God. God has no grandchildren, each of us must have our own personal relationship with Him (Gal. 3:6-7). Jacob took the stone that he had used for a pillow and set it up as a memorial pillar (vv. 18-22). He poured oil on it to sanctify it and called the place Bethel which means “the house of God.”

Application

God has ways to get my attention when I attempt to run from situations like Jacob did. In each case I just need to get back to the Word of God and His direction.