Repeated phrases:
(1) marry, daughters of, wife 27:46, 28:1, v,2,
Rebekah and Isaac brought the topic of getting marry with the daughters of Laban to Jacob. The purpose is for him to continue the blessings from God v.3. However, that journey of finding a wife became a very important journey for Jacob to meet God.
Reflection: I went to an secondary school in Hong Kong not by examination. My father got me in to that school because he thought that was the best school in our district. My classmates led me to Christ when we had Bible study together after school. Just like Jacob, I did not search for God, but God found me! I thank God for His love and taking the initiative to reach out to me.
(2) the place where Jacob camped out,
the stones under his head v.11,
the LORD is in this place v.16,
What an awesome place...the house of God...the gate of heaven v.17,
Jacob took the stone...poured oil on top of it v.18,
this stone that I have set up...will be the house of God v.22.
When God appeared to Jacob v.13-15 He repeated the Abrahamic covenant with Jacob and told him that
v.15 I am with you! I will protect you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you!”
Jacob only repeated the last part when he recalled his encounter with God,
v.20 If God is with me and protects me on this journey I am taking and gives me food to eat and clothing to wear, 28:21 and I return safely to my father’s home, then the LORD will become my God
The Bible has mentioned many altars that was built by Abraham and Isaac, but none of them was like Bethel. Obviously that was a very memorial place to Jacob, but almost too important. God should be the focus of Jacob, but he did not worship there yet. He would not worship God until what God promised was fulfilled. To Jacob, God was only a tool. If God helps him to get what he wanted then he would believe in Him or else he would not.
Reflection: Who is God to you? Is God only someone to give you health, wealth or protection? Will you worship Him AFTER you see He gave you these things? Or you worship Him for Who He is?
If God is your God then He is your end goal. You do not use Him to get you what you want. He is what you want.
Audrey
2026
1. The confirmation of the Ab's covenant to Jacob x2
First, by Isaac in v.4. There was no doubt that Isaac blessed Jacob with the Ab's covenant.
Then, by God Himself in v. 13-14.
When God repeated the covenant He also promised to protect Jacob and be with Him no matter where he went v.15.
15 I am with you! I will protect you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you!”
(BKC) The point of the story is that God was present with Jacob wherever he went. This was symbolized by the “ladder,” explained in words by God (vv. 13–15), and recognized in faith by Jacob (vv. 20–22)...God also promised to protect and be with Jacob while he was out of the land and to see that he returned.
(BKC) God’s promise to be with His people is a theme repeated throughout Scripture (e.g., God said to Isaac, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you,” 26:24). The assurance of God’s presence should bring about in every believer the same response of worship and confidence it prompted in Jacob. This is the message from the beginning: God by grace visits His people and promises them protection and provision so that they might be a blessing to others. They in turn were to respond in faith, fearing Him, worshiping Him, offering to Him, vowing to Him, and making memorials for future worshipers at such places.
2. The act of worship and the vow
Jacob's response to the dream and to the promise of God, or his worship, was 3 folds: (1) Exclamation (2) erected the stone and anointed it (3) making a vow (if...then)
In other words, even though God is not His God yet, but the revelation to him also took his attention. What God promise to him was not taken as a promise, but something for him to test if God is true. Faith was not there yet.
Summary and reflection: The supposed promise-worship/vowing/offering was not a complete process in Jacob's case. He was undecided and his "faith" was either not there yet or weak However, the Bible did not have any negative comment about his faith. It is, at least, honest.
How about me? When I hear the promise in the Bible, do I response in faith? Is my faith weak?
3. Questions
1). Marry another non-Canaanite wife
2). Ab covenant+His presence, protection. The land, and the multitude of descendant, and the seed will bless the nations
3). (1) Exclamation (2) erected the stone and anointed it (3) making a vow (if...then)
4). God is a protector but he was not sure
5). seekers
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