Scripture Reference: Genesis 28:10-22
Jacob’s dream at Bethel is one of the loveliest events in the Bible. Poets, painters, hymn writers, and preachers all have paused at Bethel, trying to interpret exactly what happened to Jacob. He was a young man who needed the presence of God. Just when he needed God the most, lonely, frightened, homesick, smitten of conscience, and facing an uncertain future, God appeared to him and was right by his side.
Jacob’s meeting God in his hour of greatest need has become an experience that we have shared with him. Jacob realized that God is merciful and forgiving. He discovered through faith and obedience to God that God would bless and care for him wherever he went. When Jacob met God, he called the name of the place Bethel, which means this is “the house of God.”
Probably all of us have had or shall have one experience in life when God seems nearer to us than He has been at any other time. It may be some hour of sorrow or joy. It may be at a church or on a lake. It may be when some marvelous thing happened to you, or it may be when you are in the hospital facing surgery. The experience of God’s nearness may be in a moment of supreme joy like a marriage, or in a moment of deep sorrow by a graveside at a funeral. Whatever the time, place, or hour, we can always say of it, “This is the gate of heaven; this is the house of God.”
What is the house of God? In the United States and Canada there are estimated over 300,000 Protestant churches, thousands of Catholic churches, and hundreds of other worship centers. Every one is called “the house of God.” What does this passage from Genesis teach about the house of God?
Isaac, the father of Jacob, sent Jacob away from home so that he could find a wife. It was the desire of Jacob’s father that his son marry a young lady who believed in God as deeply as Abraham, Jacob’s grandfather. Marriages are stronger when both the husband and wife have a belief in the living God and a commitment to God’s presence.
Jacob went down toward Haran. Perhaps this was the first night he had ever spent away from home. He was very lonely. Jacob found a place that seemed to be comfortable and camped out with the stars as his roof. While he was asleep, he had a marvelous dream. Heaven opened, and he saw a ladder set up on the earth reaching into heaven. He was conscious of movement between earth and heaven. He saw the angels of God ascending into heaven and descending back to earth. When Jacob awakened, he said, “This is the house of God. I’ve seen God here.” As he said that, God spoke to him, saying: “Jacob, I’m here by your side; and if you will be faithful to me, I will go with you wherever you go and I will multiply your descendants. You will become a wealthy man, and through your children many people will ‘be blessed.’ ”
Jacob became so excited about this dream and God speaking to him that he took the stones that he had used for a pillow and put them in a great heap. He poured oil on them and said, “This is none other than the house of God!” But it raises a question in this modern age, what is the house of God?
To Be Continued
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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