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“Jacob's Response To God's Word”
Categories: Daily Living, Obedience, Old TestamentJacob’s Response To God’s Word
Jarrod Jacobs
Genesis 28:1-15 record Jacob traveling. One night, he had a dream in which he saw, “a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it” (Gen. 28:12). God then blessed Jacob, promising him the same things He had promised Abraham and Isaac (Gen. 28:13-15).
What did Jacob do next? Notice that Jacob, “awoke from his sleep … And he was afraid and said, ‘How awesome is this place! …. And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone … and set it up for a pillar and poured oil upon the top of it” (Gen. 28:16-18).
What do we learn here? First, notice that Jacob awoke (v. 16). In like manner, people today need to awaken from their spiritual slumber that has them oblivious to the problems around them (Jer. 6:14, 8:11)! It is high time that we understood that sin and error are not to be taken lightly. Let us wake up and hear the voice of God though His word (Rom. 13:11-14)!
Secondly, Jacob was afraid (v. 17). He had been in the presence of God Almighty! Friend, it is high time that people became afraid! Too many portray an attitude which says they have no fear of anything. This is dangerous (Heb. 10:26-31)! Those that have refused God’s word need to be afraid; for God’s word will judge them one day (Jn. 12:48).
Finally, Jacob arose and built an altar (v. 18). When people hear God’s word today (through the Bible), the honest hearts will have the same reaction. After awakening to the truth, and being afraid to stay in sins, arise and do what God commands (Rom. 12:1-2).
