1. The Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide Office of the Bishop Bible Study Program – GENESIS, Chap 28 AOC

2. In chapter 27, we saw that Rebekkah and Jacob tricked Isaac into blessing Jacob believing him to be his elder son, Esau. Esau was incensed and planned to kill Jacob. Rebekkah warns Jacob to go to her brother, family and abide there for a “few days.” Those few days would turn into many years. In the meantime, Esau displeases both Rebekkah and Isaac by taking daughters from among the idolatrous Canaanites.

3. 1 And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. 2 Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother. 3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people; 4 And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham. 5 And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother. Gen 28:1-5 (KJV)

4. Isaac at first blessed Jacob being deceived. Now he blesses Jacob with the very blessing God gave to his father Abraham out of a willing heart. He desires Jacob to travel to Haran and take a wife from the same people as Rebekkah’s family. The map to the right depicts Jacob’s journey,

5. An Overview of the Holy Land

6. As we read in verse 4, the blessing of God is contingent upon its being passed on according to God’s Commandment, and it is given based upon our remaining in the place God has chosen for us to be: “... give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.” Gen 28:4 (KJV) God gives a land to all His people who obey and seek after Him. America was given to such a people, but shall be taken away when they cease to be His people.

8. ______ ____ _____ Red underlined names represent lineage of Christ

9. Obedience to God is very important, but heart-motive is also very important. “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” 1 Cor 13:3 (KJV) 6 When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan; 7 And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padanaram; 8 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father; 9 Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife. Gen 28:6-9 (KJV)

10. It should be clear to all that committing an additional sin to cover a previous one does not work – ever! Esau has displeased Isaac and Rebekkah by taking to himself wives of the Canaanites. When he has seen that Jacob obeys his parents and will not take such a wife, Esau attempts to cover his previous sin by committing another – taking a wife from the descendents of uncle Ishmael. It was never God’s will for a man to have more than one wife though many of the Patriarchs sinned in doing so. It was also not God’s will for the descendents of Isaac to marry into idol worshippers or those outside the prescribed lineage that God had dictated to Abraham and Isaac.

11. 10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. 11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. Gen 28:10-11 (KJV) “Certain place,” indeed! It was the same place to which God had, in the beginning, led Abraham after his journeying from Haran. (Chap 13) It was a place sanctified by God. Even the name points to the meaning: Beyth-'El (bayth-ale'); Proper Name Location, Bethel = meaning "house of God” If we would hear God, we must go to His Holy Place. It may be a quiet forest, meadow, closet, or even Church!

12. “... he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.” Gen 28:11 (KJV) Please observe how much more gracious God is to us than He is to Himself: “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” Matt 8:20 (KJV) Even a stone is better than no provision at all! But, believe it or not, stones are commonly used by Asian people today for pillows. The poor, and even some wealthy, of Korea and Japan still use stones for pillows. But suppose the deprivation of not even having a place to lay one’s head.

13. Memorials are made of stone, and this stone pillow would become a stone Pillar of Remembrance for Jacob of His meeting with the Lord.

14. Jacob feared that Esau would pursue him to kill him for stealing away his birthright (though Esau had fairly traded it off for a bowl of soup). So Jacob traveled the high country which afforded greater concealment for his journey. He could have more easily descended to the Jordan River valley and gone on level ground, but he remained in the mountainous terrain to the west of the river. Unwittingly, this took Jacob to the very place that God was leading him (Bethel) and to the place to which God had led his grandfather, Abraham.

15. And he dreamed, and behold 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 (KJV)

16. God is a gentleman. He seldom comes to us without given a proper introduction of Himself. Jacob has dreamed while sleeping with his head on the stones of Bethel – House of God. God’s people, to this day, are dreamers who always dream of a better land as a pilgrim who does not belong to the world. “And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed.” Gen 28:13 (KJV)

17. The stairway to Heaven that Jacob saw in his vision is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ for He is our only means of Communion with God and our Way that leads up to Heaven. “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6 (KJV) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matt 7:13-14 (KJV) The implied truth here is that there will be far more on the broad way than the Narrow – it was true when Jesus spoke those words, and it is very true today.

18. Once we know the Voice of God – and not until – He will speak to us His will for our lives. How many attend church in America every Sunday, but do not know the Voice of God. They are too busy to trifle with daily bible study to learn of Him. They are satisfied with a spoon- fed, pulpit cram session once per week. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matt 11:29-30 (KJV) If you believe His yoke is too heavy to learn of Him, perhaps you will share the estate of good old Esau.

19. I am astonished at the nominal Christian (CINO – Christian in name only) who cares so little for God’s Word as to accept the modern opinions of men presented in new and phony versions of the Bible that make political correctness their main thrust. Or who refuse to fervently study and read the very Bible that God has given us at the cost of the very blood of His beloved prophets and even of His only Begotten Son. Yet, they claim to love Him. What kind of love is THIS when they refuse to read diligently His love letter to us? Do we do as well as some? “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed” Acts 17:11-12 (KJV)

20. Who are the descendents of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? If you have believed unto salvation, it is YOU and countless millions since the day of Jacob. 14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. Gen 28:14-15 (KJV) It is these successors of the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that are accounted the Children of Promise – and no other!

21. It is true that all of the nations of the earth have been blessed by the compassion and peace of those who follow Christ. Christian missionaries care far more for the orphans of Islamic countries than the rulers of the mosque care. In fact, the moslems would consider an orphan an opportunity to enslave. Christ sets free. There were no hospitals, orphanages, or general education before Christ. Wealthy men were taught by private tutors such as Socrates. The effects of those who know the Gentle Savior are felt in every corner of the world today from Africa to Siberia, and from Asia to the Americas.

22. 16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. Gen 28:16 (KJV) There are those among us who have little regard for the Ancient Landmark laid down by our fathers. They accept readily, the street jargon new versions of the Bible along with the attendant deception of them. They have cared little enough to study the manuscript evident underlying these wonders of modern error. They read the majestic words of the Reformed Bibles – Geneva, KJV, Bishop’s, Tyndale, etc – and know not that the Lord is in this place in the same way that Jacob awoke to know that the Lord is in this place. I waste no time on such doubters of the Gospel account except to attempt to enlighten their dimmed eyes. But if they insist on returning to their vomit, as a dog, so be it.

23. God is mighty and to be feared. When He speaks to us, we should fear misunderstanding His most serious commands. “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.” Gen 28:17 (KJV) Jacob had a healthy fear and regard for God. When we enter the holiness of the place of worship on Sundays, do we have a fear and reverence for the God whom we claim to come for worship? Or do we regard the sanctuary as a place to renew gossip and chatter in the face of God?

24. Jacob took the appearance and words of the Lord with great gravity – as we all should do! “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. 19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.” Gen 28:18-19 (KJV) We, too, should not be children of the night, but of the day. We should rise up early in our service and quest for God. This did Mary of Magdella. Jacob erects a Stone of Remembrance at that place (Bethel). Stones are not easily moved, and they will get in the way of those who desire to disregard what they represent. Have you erected any Stones of Remembrance during your Bible studies?

25. Jacob wanted to insure that he would remember the words of the Lord at Bethel. We have today that Landmark – the Holy Bible – as our Stone of Remembrance. If the Landmark is moved just a mite from its proper place, all landlines become corrupted. Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. Prov 22:28 (KJV) Which of the ancient fathers have set the new landmarks of the NIV, NASB, ESV, etc.?

26. Jacob attempts to bargain with God, and it doesn’t turn out too well for him. Instead of the ‘few days’ that Rebekkah had envisioned, Jacob was in Haran for more than twenty years. 20 And Jacob vowed 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 raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God Gen 28:20-21 (KJV) Questioning God’s will shall always delay, or preclude, the blessing He offers! Jacob would come again to his father’s house in peace, but after a great deal of ‘wrestling’ with the Lord. Are you questioning or bargaining with God?

27. 22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee. Gen 28:22 (KJV) Jacob attempts to buy the favor of God. “IF” – when it comes to a promise of God – should not enter into our vocabulary. “IF” God will do all that He promises Jacob, Jacob, in return, promises one-tenth of all his increase. God already has one-tenth of all that Jacob possesses. In fact, God owns every penny, every crumb, and every rag that we claim to own. Jacob will eventually give Laban much more than a tenth - twenty plus years of his life in addition to much labor and personal heartache.

28. I do not believe the church today has taken God seriously. Her members will “ooh and ahhh” at every new wind of doctrine. They consider the Holy Bible just another book that can be changed and altered according to the temperament of the times. They have no more time for God than Jacob had with Laban in Haran. He wasted years on a false premise, and the Church today is wasting valuable time and energy on dreams of fantasy. They would much prefer to read fantasies of men who claim to have gone to heaven (and come back for some reason) than the true Word of God. If she wakes up, as did Jacob, she will have wasted much time on such foolish commercial diversions.

29. Erect your Rock at Beth-el today!