Genesis 28:1-22

What Genesis 28 reveals is that, when we encounter the presence of God, it completely changes the trajectory of our lives

Outline

  • First, see our pressure to earn the pleasure of our earthly father (28:1-9)
    • We feel the pressure to earn the pleasure of our earthly fathers by fulfilling their demands (28:1-5)
    • We feel the pressure to earn the pleasure of our earthly fathers by fixing their disappointment (28:6-9)
  • Second, see our potential to encounter the presence of our heavenly father (28:10-15)
    • The presence of God leads to a new perspective (28:10-12)
    • The presence of God leads to a new promise (28:13-15)
  • Third, see our purpose to express the praise of our heavenly father (28:16-22)
    • The presence of God leads to new praise (28:16-17a)
    • The presence of God leads to a new place (28:18-19)
    • The presence of God leads to a new pattern (28:20-22)

Christ Connections

  • Jacob’s vision is a reversal of Babel, pointing to a pattern that will culminate in Jesus. In John 1:51 Jesus picks up the dream’s language and imagery of ascending and descending to confirm to his disciples that he is the long awaited messiah. Jesus is the new and better Jacob, the angels ascending and descending on him confirm that he is the chosen son who receives an even greater covenant promise.
  • God’s promise in verse 15 echoes the Great Commissions promise of Christ’s unending presence.
  • Bethel is the Hebrew word for house of God,  Jacob marks out this new place by taking the stone that he used for a pillow and turning it into the cornerstone of a new place. Jesus is the true and better cornerstone, not of a temporary pillar but the cornerstone of the house of God, the church.

Applications

  • Many have a longing for the approval of our earthly fathers. This longing is just a taste of our longing for approval from our heavenly father. Esau is chasing the approval of his earthly father even though he could never earn it. Jacob experiences the approval of his heavenly father even though he doesn’t deserve it.
  • If God calls you to it, he is going to walk with you through it. We face trials, hardships, and burdens, and Genesis 28 fills us with hope because of Jesus—the one who is Immanuel, God with us. The one who indwells us with his Spirit. Christ calls us to go to him when we’re weary and broken hearted to find comfort.