Beech Tree News Network

Genesis 28:1-2 records Isaac sending Jacob to Padanaram to find a wife among his mother’s people. After some traveling, the Bible says Jacob spent the night in a certain place (v. 11). As he slept, 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). In this dream, God blessed Jacob, promising him the same things He had promised Abraham and Isaac in previous years (Gen. 28:13-15). Please take a moment and notice the responses Jacob had to this prophetic dream.

    Jacob first, “awoke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.’ And he was afraid and said, ‘How dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’ And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it” (Gen. 28:16-18).

    What does this account teach us in the 21st century? Friends, just as Jacob awoke, we need to wake up to the realities around us (v. 16). Jacob realized that God was with him. In like manner, we need to awaken from our spiritual slumber that has us oblivious to the problems around us! (Like Jonah! - Jonah 1:5-6) Too many “religious” people are crying, “Peace, peace; when there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14, 8:11), and lulling people into a spiritual slumber! It is high time that all of us understood that sin and error are not to be taken lightly. Let us hear the voice of God though His word, realize the seriousness of sin, and the judgment of God, and wake up while we still can (Rom. 13:11-14)!

    The second response Jacob had to this dream was that he was afraid (v. 17). He had been in the presence of God Almighty! Let me suggest that it is high time that people became afraid! Too many have an attitude of selfishness and pride, and say that they have no fear of anything. This is dangerous! God says that those who sin willfully in His sight, have nothing to look forward to except, “a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” Why? Because “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:26-31)! Those that have refused God’s word need to be afraid; for God’s word will judge all of us one day (Jn. 12:48).

    Finally, Jacob arose early and built an altar and consecrated it (v. 18). The pouring of oil to consecrate an altar was a true sacrifice to God on the part of Jacob. He offered this willingly, knowing Whom he was worshipping!

    Similarly, 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 their sins, they will arise and do what God commands (Rom. 12:1-2; Heb. 5:9; Mk. 16:16). Friend, what will you do (II Cor. 6:2)? Choose wisely because we have no promise of tomorrow!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167