Genesis 28:10-19a
Jacob left Beer-sheba and went towards Haran. He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood beside him and said, ‘I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.’ Then Jacob woke 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 awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’
So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called that place Bethel; but the name of the city was Luz at the first.
Reflection
A stone for a pillow? No wonder Jacob dreamed about angels ascending and descending and heard God give a promise. This stone would become a monument and a symbol of God's presence and promise.
God's presence and promise... it seems that when we finally realize that God is present we know that God is standing right beside us. God is right next to us when we finally realize that God is present. It's not like God wasn't there all along but more like we couldn't see or hear God all that time. We weren't expecting God to be present that close to us and then we find out that God is right next to us.
Next to us on the journey. Next to us as we wander. Next to us as we run from danger or strife or sin or defeat. Next to us in the midst of the night when all we can find for a pillow is a rock. God is present with us if we know it or not. And God is present with a promise. A promise that give us the hope of a vision or a dream of angels ascending and descending into heaven. Yes, God gives us a peek at the gate of heaven.
God became flesh in Jesus and Jesus has been ascending and descending that ladder ever since. Jesus descended the ladder in flesh to save the world from sin, death and the devil. Jesus ascended into heaven for a time and Jesus will descend to come again. The Holy Spirit has been ascending and descending that ladder from the beginning. The Holy Spirit comes to us and makes us aware of God's presence and God's promise.
God has promised through Jesus that he will be with us always. Jesus has promised to lead us and guide us through this life to eternal life with him in eternity. God's presence and promise... realize the awesome gift from God and turn to God for God is right by your side. Pick up that rock for a pillow and see and hear God's direction and promise for you today. Thanks be to God!
Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMEPHKmCAFQ
Prayer
Lord, as I awake from sleep may I always notice your presence right next to me. May I always seek your will and your way and may I always receive your blessing and hear your promise that I may go out each day in the love you have given to me to give to those you set before me in life... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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