Genesis 28 begins with Isaac sending Jacob away to find a wife from Rebekah’s family. Isaac gives Jacob another blessing. This time he specifically mentions the blessing of Abraham. Isaac obviously now realizes that the promise will go through Jacob. Jacob leaves home with no possessions and probably only enough food and water that he could carry. We will learn from this passage that he was concerned about food, water and clothes. God will promise to meet those needs and so much more.
On the way to Laban’s household Jacob stops to sleep one night. Jacob has a dream in which he saw a stairway on earth that reached up to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it. The significance of this dream is paramount. There is a lot of traffic going on between heaven and earth. The blessing is given again to Jacob this time from the Lord. The blessing had two main elements to it. God would provide for him and his descendants. God would never leave him until the promise was fulfilled. These are the same promises our Lord made for us. We are not to worry about what we will eat or drink (Matt. 7:25-34). Also, Jesus promised not to leave us (John 14:18).
When Jacob woke up he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” It was no accident that Jacob encountered the Lord in his sleep. Jacob had a history of trying to control his own destiny. We encounter the Lord when we allow Him to control our destiny.
Jacob responded to the experience with the Lord in three ways. First, he received the Lord for himself, “the Lord will be my God.” Secondly, he promised to continue worshiping God. And lastly, he committed to tithe. This is what our Lord wants today. First, we need to trust that Jesus is the fulfillment of that promise and receive him as our Lord and Savior. Secondly, we need to maintain a discipline of private and public worship. And third, we are to acknowledge our Lord’s ownership of everything by giving back a tithe.
“Lord, thank You for being active on the earth as well as heaven. Thank You for providing food, water and clothes for us. Thank You for the promise You have made that You will never leave us nor forsake us. Help me to learn to completely trust You in all things. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
About Me
- Robert and Ray Miller
- Robert is the pastor of First Baptist Texas City, Tx. And Ray is the pastor of First Baptist Mertens, Tx. Robert brings over 30 years of biblical study as a pastor. Ray brings a younger perspective to the Bible and also a command of the original languages. Our greatest passion is to see lives changed through the good news of Jesus Christ.
1 comment:
What an insightful commentary for Chapter 28 by Robert and Ray. Thanks for your enlightened look at the scriptures. And thanks for reminding me, as the Chapter 28 did that God is always near to us and we can rely and rest in that assurance as we allow Him to reveal Himself to us.
I must be careful what I allow to enter my mind so that my mind can be open to hear God's word to me. I must ensure that my frequent shortcomings are brought before the Lord for cleansing so I can be a vessel He can indwell and take pleasure in.
God, forgive me, even now of pride and selfishness and may I be a humble servant in your mighty kingdom.
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