Go Back to Bethel

O.T. "Go Back to Bethel"
May 31, 2012
Genesis 28-Part 3
And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house; and of all that thou shall give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.  Genesis 28:22

LET IT GLOW

In our home church, my husband and I surrendered to the ministry, missions was our calling, we felt. We went off to college and served the Lord in various capacities. He attended seminary, as well as pastored churches. It was 17 years later that God returned us to that home church, not in a serving capacity, but my husband preached in view of a call for another church. We went back to our Bethel. God brought us full circle. We still serve in that same church, only 10 miles from the place where we surrendered to the Lord's will.

What was the Father telling Jacob that He was willing to do for Jacob as a part of the Abrahamic covenant?

• First, God identified Himself as the God of Abraham and Isaac when He spoke to Jacob. 
• God would give Jacob and his descendants the land on which he was lying, spreading out in all directions.
• Jacob's descendants would be as many as the dust of the earth.
• All peoples on earth will be blessed through Jacob and his offspring.
• God will be with Jacob wherever he goes and will watch over him.
• God will bring Jacob back to this land.
• God will not leave Jacob until He has done what He promised.

the Holy Land belonged to the Jews, even though they didn't possess all of it at that time. The last three promises were unique to Jacob. He was assured that God would gave him a wife. (age 77) Jacob would be wondering around, but God promised to be with him. God had a plan for Jacob's life, and He would see to it that His plan was fulfilled.

Are you trusting in God with your offspring? Do you believe that He will be with us wherever we go?

LET IT GROW

Jacob arose early that morning, used the stone he had place under his head, and Set it up as a pillar, poured oil on top, then called the place Bethel, which means house of bread.
This is the first recorded vow in the Bible, made by Jacob.

Jacob realized that his dedication to God meant nothing unless his material goods were under His control as well. Before the Law was given, Abraham practiced tithing (14:20) Wiersbe

Do we have a Bethel in our life, a place where we met God in a serious way and made some commitments to Him? If we have gotten away from the Lord, we can always go back to Bethel and renew our dedication. It was not until 20 years later that the Lord summoned Jacob and led him back to Bethel. (chapter 15)

Our Bethel may not be a physical place, but a spiritual place that we need to return to God. Go back to the last thing you were told to do.

LET IT GO

God always keeps His promises; have I kept mine?

Return back to my Bethel, if need be.

Be faithful in tithing.