Benchmarks of an encounter with God

 Read Genesis 28. 

As the heir, Jacob received the blessing of his father Isaac.  Isaac repeated the promise God made to Abraham.  That unconditional covenant included innumerable descendants, the land, and that "in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (12:3).  It was now time for Jacob to begin a family of his own.  He was ordered to go to his great-uncle to seek a wife. 

Away from home and family, in a strange place, after dark, he slept.  Here God revealed Himself personally to Jacob in a dream.  It is the first account where faith in God became personal to Jacob.  The LORD Himself passed on the Abrahamic Covenant directly to Jacob and his descendants. 

When Jacob awoke, it was more than rising out of physical sleep.  He woke up spiritually!  "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it."  This recognition is one of the benchmarks of a true relationship with God.  God is omnipresent.  Jacob was away from home, but not away from God.  When one fails to acknowledge and respect God's presence sin will soon follow.

Jacob had at least three responses to this encounter with the LORD.

1. He worshipped.  He even marked the spot and created a memory where God changed his life.  "How awesome is this place!  This is none other than the house of God" (Bethel). (v.17)

2. He declared his faith in a vow.

3. He committed to give a tenth of all his increase.  Remember, this statement had nothing to do with keeping the law.  The law was not be given for a few hundred years after this. 

I often think back of the dark bedroom at 820 Hartview Avenue where I recognized His presence and I knelt to give myself to Jesus.  I remember openly declaring my faith in a baptism service at Calvary Baptist Church.  And I am grateful to Mr. Snider who challenged me to begin tithing when I was only 14 years old to honor the LORD my little income.  Those benchmarks are still with me and guide my daily life today.