Genesis 28: 1 – 19

Jacob left Beersheba and started toward Haran. At sunset he came to a holy place and camped there. He lay down to sleep, resting his head on a stone. He dreamed that he saw a stairway reaching from earth to heaven, with angels going up and coming down on it. And there was the Lord standing beside him. “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham and Isaac,” he said. “I will give to you and to your descendants this land on which you are lying. They will be as numerous as the specks of dust on the earth. They will extend their territory in all directions, and through you and your descendants I will bless all the nations. Remember, I will be with you and protect you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done all that I have promised you.”

Jacob woke up and said, “The Lord is here! He is in this place, and I didn't know it!” He was afraid and said, “What a terrifying place this is! It must be the house of God; it must be the gate that opens into heaven.”

Jacob got up early next morning, took the stone that was under his head, and set it up as a memorial. Then he poured olive oil on it to dedicate it to God. He named the place Bethel.

Picture

Today’s picture is a painting based on this story

Prayer

As our prayer tonight, we use the words of an old hymn inspired by this story…

O God of Bethel, by whose hand
your people still are fed;
who through this earthly pilgrimage
your people safely led;

Our vows, our prayers, we now present
before your gracious throne;
as you have been their faithful God,
so always be our own!

Through each perplexing path of life
our wandering footsteps guide;
give us today our daily bread,
and for our needs provide.

O spread your covering wings around
till all our wanderings cease;
and at our heavenly Father's home
we shall arrive in peace.
Amen