JACOB

"I WAS NOT AWARE OF IT"

Read Genesis 28:10–28:22

     Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.   Genesis 28:10–11 NIV

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     After cheating Esau out of his birthright, Jacob was forced to run for his life. Stopping to rest for the night, Jacob had a dream in which he met God personally…he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above the ladder stood the LORD, and he said: "I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying." (28:12–13)

     Up to this time, Jacob had no idea that God had a personal plan for his life, or that he would become the ancestor of the promised Messiah. When he awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it."( 28:16)

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     Dear Father, I thank You that You have a plan for my life, and even when I am not aware of it –You are with me. I know that You also have plans for our children and grandchildren. Help us to train them in godly principles and lead them to a personal relationship with Your Son, Jesus Christ the Messiah.

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     "All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."   Genesis 28:14–15 NIV