Bethel to El-bethel
1. Genesis 28: 10-19
2. Genesis 33. 18-20
3. Ps: 23
Illustration:
A young boy went to the local store with his mother.
The shop owner, a kindly man, passed him a large jar of suckers and invited him to help himself to a handful.
Uncharacteristically, the boy held back.
So the shop owner pulled out a handful for him.
When outside, the boy’s mother asked why he had suddenly been so shy and wouldn’t take a handful of suckers when offered.
The boy replied, "Because his hand is much bigger than mine!"
Jacob means: "holder of the heel" or "supplanter".
Gen: 28: 10-19
Jacob running away from the father House in afraid to his brother Esu.
Vs : 19
name the place Bethel.
Vs: 20-21:
Jacob makes a vow
Jacob working for Laban
We know that Jacob worked for Laban for 20 years in total (Genesis 31:38). Genesis 29:18 indicates that Jacob spent 7 years working for Laban to receive Rachel as his wife. However, Laban deceives Jacob and at the end of the 7 years he gives Leah to Jacob as a wife instead (Genesis 29:21-25). In verse 27 of chapter 29, Laban told Jacob to fulfill Leah’s week and then he would also give Rachel to him as a wife, providing Jacob was willing to serve him another 7 years. Jacob therefore marries Rachel a week after marrying Leah, and then worked another 7 years to repay his debt to Laban. After Joseph is born, Jacob asks Laban to send him back to his own country (Genesis 30:25,26), but Laban does not want Jacob to leave and therefore negotiates with Jacob so that Jacob would be paid wages for continuing to serve him (Genesis 30:27-34). Jacob finally flees from Laban, and we know this to be 6 years after the end of the 14 year period of Jacob serving Laban for his two daughters because Jacob served Laban 20 years in total (Genesis 31:38).
Gen :35-1
God calls Jacob back to Bethel.
Vs: 6-7
naming of El-bethel
Vs: 10
God Blessing Jacob.
gen “32- 10: I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two camps.
Gen: 33. 18-20”
El-elohe (The God of Israel.).
Blessing of Jacob and Esu
1. Jacob : Gen:27. 28-29
28. May God give you heaven’s dew
and earth’s richness—
an abundance of grain and new wine.
29 May nations serve you
and peoples bow down to you.
Be lord over your brothers,
and may the sons of your mother bow down to you.
May those who curse you be cursed
and those who bless you be blessed.”
2. Esu: Gen: 27. 39-40
3. 39 His father Isaac answered him,
4. “Your dwelling will be
away from the earth’s richness,
away from the dew of heaven above.
40 You will live by the sword
and you will serve your brother.
But when you grow restless,
you will throw his yoke
from off your neck.”
Illustration:
During the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century, German pastor Paul Gerhardt and his family were forced to flee from their home. One night as they stayed in a small village inn, homeless and afraid, his wife broke down and cried openly in despair. To comfort her, Gerhardt reminded her of Scripture promises about God’s provision and keeping. Then, going out to the garden to be alone, he too broke down and wept. He felt he had come to his darkest hour. Soon afterward, Gerhardt felt the burden lifted and sensed anew the Lord’s presence. Taking his pen, he wrote a hymn that has brought comfort to many. "Give to the winds thy fears; hope, and be undismayed; God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears; God shall lift up thy head. Through waves and clouds and storms He gently clears the way. Wait thou His time, so shall the night soon end in joyous day."
It is often in our darkest times that God makes His presence known most clearly. He uses our sufferings and troubles to show us that He is our only source of strength. And when we see this truth, like Paster Gerhardt, we receive new hope. Are you facing a great trial? Take heart. Put yourself in God’s hands. Wait for His timing. He will give you a "song in the night."
