Knowing The Word in Genesis 28:10-22, Jacob's Dream

10 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran [where Abraham was first called by God]. 11 And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under [more likely “around”] his head [for protection] and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! [Not exactly sure of the design of the ladder—it may be stairs—but is near Jacob. The angels represent protection for Jacob.] 13 And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac [anticipates the reaffirmation and reapplication of the promises to Jacob]. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. 14 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 in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 Behold, 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.” [God has an intimate, personal relationship with Jacob of divine presence. Jacob is the first person in the Bible to receive the promise of God’s abiding presence, the same assurance given in the name Emmanuel.] 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 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.” [Fear and awe are typical responses to the presence of a sinful man in the company of a holy God. Jacob knows the place is holy and will now mark it as so.]

18 So early in the morning Jacob 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. [The stone serves as a witness and reminder of Jacob’s experience and the vow he will make.] 19 He called the name of that place Bethel [house of God], but the name of the city was Luz at the first. 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, 21 so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, 22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.” [Jacob is in a distressed state, having run away from home under the threat of death. God has now given him assurance of protection and return, so he responds to God with this vow, demonstrating his dependence.]