GENESIS 28
A day of disappointment (1–9). Jacob was a lonely fugitive, forced to flee from home. Even though he left with his father’s blessing (and Isaac knew what he was doing), Jacob faced an unknown future, and his brother still wanted to kill him. Not an encouraging beginning for a new chapter in his life! But God was still in control (
A night of discovery (10–15). Jacob was literally between a rock and a hard place. But that night, Jacob made several discoveries that helped to change his life. He discovered that God was with him and working for him and had a perfect plan for his life. Jacob may have been separated from home, but he was not separated from heaven. (See
A morning of dedication (16–22). Jacob began his day worshiping God and turning his hard pillow into a holy altar. He gave the place a new name: “house of God.” Wherever God meets us, that place becomes a holy sanctuary. Jacob’s faith as yet was weak, but he did lay hold of God’s promises, even if there is a bit of “the bargainer” in his vow to give God the tithe. Jacob was making a new beginning, and twenty years later he would return to Bethel a more mature believer.