Genesis 28

Genesis 28 focuses on Jacob's journey from Beersheba to Haran and his encounter with God at Bethel. Here are the key events.

1. Isaac calls Jacob, blesses him, and instructs him not to marry a Canaanite woman. Instead, he should go to Padanaram (Mesopotamia) to find a wife from among his uncle Laban's daughters.
2. Jacob leaves Beersheba and heads toward Haran.
3. While sleeping at a certain place along the journey, Jacob has a remarkable dream:

• He sees a ladder reaching from earth to heaven.
• Angels of God are ascending and descending on it.
• God stands above it and speaks to Jacob.

In this dream, God renews the covenant previously made with Abraham and Isaac:

• He promises the land on which Jacob lies to him and his descendants
• He promises that his descendants will be numerous and spread in all directions.
• He promises that all peoples on earth will be blessed through Jacob and his descendants.
• He promises to be with Jacob, protect him, and bring him back to this land.

When Jacob wakes up, he realizes the sacred nature of the place. Jacob takes the stone he had used as a pillow and sets it up as a pillar and pours oil on it. He names the place Bethel ("house of God"), though it was previously called Luz. Jacob makes a vow to God: If God protects him, provides for him, and brings him back safely, then the LORD will be his God, this pillar will be God's house, and he will give God a tenth of everything he receives.

This chapter marks a pivotal moment in Jacob's life, as he personally encounters God and receives the covenant promises directly.