Genesis Chapter 28 – verses 15-16 (NLT Translation)
“What’s more I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.”
Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place and I wasn’t even aware of it!”
The previous chapter of Genesis could easily form the script for a soap opera. It’s a sorry record of favouritism, manipulation, sibling rivalry, anger and bitterness, which results in Jacob’s departure from the family home.
There’s no indication in that record that God was consulted by the family as these events were unfolding. Perhaps Rebekah was recalling what God told her before the twins were born, but it seems like she took matters into her own hands in an attempt to see the fulfilment of what God had promised.
Jacob sets off therefore uncertain of what the future holds, or whether he will see his family and home again. But at this low point in his life, God speaks clearly, and at last Jacob listens to what He has to say. God promises that He will be with Jacob wherever he goes, and that he will indeed return to the land he’s about to leave. Jacob acknowledges the very presence of God he had previously been unaware of.
How gracious God is! He’s never far from us either – even when we’re not aware of His presence because we’re too busy doing our own thing. Jacob finally acknowledges that he needs God’s protection and guidance for his life, and gives God the rightful worship that He is due.
We often come to the same realisation as Jacob when we too are at a crossroads in our lives. We are not meant to be self-sufficient or self-reliant, rather God-reliant and directed. But just as graciously as He did with Jacob, God will get our attention, even if it has to be through difficult circumstances, and we realise that He has been with us all along.
Dear God,
How gracious You are to us. Thank You that You don’t need my help to outwork Your promises. You know exactly what You’re doing, whereas I often get into a right mess. May I never be too busy trying to achieve things – even if I think I’m doing them on Your behalf, that I lose the sense of Your presence. Thank You that the Bible reminds us that You stick closer than a brother and are always at our elbow. You truly deserve all worship and praise. Amen.