This week we began with a story from an Alpha video (available here) of a young man, Alex, who told how in his guilt and shame, his father came looking for him. It’s a beautiful analogy to how God meets Jacob in the dark in Genesis 28:10-22. In this passage, God shows how committed he is to us (even in the midst of our sin and brokenness) and calls us to commit to him!

Jacob was on the run, he had deceived his father, Isaac, and defrauded his brother, Esau. In fact, Esau committed in his heart to kill Jacob (Gen 27:41). It looks as if the story of God’s faithfulness to Abraham and Isaac is coming unwound because of Jacob’s sin. So, he lies down afraid, alone, in the dark. And right there, God meets him.

God shows Jacob through a dream that he is still at work in the world. Angels go up and down the stairway, earth and heaven are still connected. God speaks and reaffirms his covenant promises—his commitment to Abraham and Isaac is extended to Jacob—sin and baggage included. God promises: land, offspring, and God’s own presence!

Amazingly, these promises are for us too. Jesus says he is the stairway, the connection, to heaven (John 1:51). Paul tells us believers are Abraham’s children and heirs (Gal 3:29).

We have a land, the New Creation. We are offspring by faith, and God is still blessing all the families of the earth. Most incredibly, by faith, the Father and Son make their home in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. 

After receiving these promises, Jacob committed himself to worship and serving the Lord. We have received the fulfillment of these promises in Christ!

Taking it Home: How is God calling you to commit to worship and serve him?