Scripture
Today we explore Genesis 28:10-22, that includes a vision of a ladder/stairway connecting Heaven to Earth and a literary ladder as well. Showing us eleven steps that occur during Jacob's interaction with God.
But we settle on Step Ten, verses 18-19:
So early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had put under his head, set it up as a pillar, and then poured oil on top of it to commemorate his experience with God. 19 He named that place Bethel, which means “house of God.” Before that the name of the city had been called Luz.
The Gist
Bethel is the Bible's first example of God transforming an ordinary location into a sacred/holy place. We see it continue in the Old Testament: Exodus 3 (burning bush), Exodus 25-40 (tabernacle).
Then in the New Testament, Jesus arrives on the scene and the shift of holy/sacred places shifts from places and things to people.
1 Cor. 3:16, 6:19 - believers become the temple, as God's spirit dwells in us.
1 Timothy 3:15 - the "church" happens when people gather together in God's name. The church isn't holy, but the gathering of "community" becomes sacred because of God's people.
God meets us in unexpected places, transforms common/ordinary things into holy ground, and our everyday lives become sacred and holy places when we take the time to slow down and realize God is with us.
Digging Deeper
Are you in a difficult place right now, where you don't expect to find God?
Is it difficult to trust & believe that your life can become a dwelling place of God?
"Wherever God reveals Himself, Bethel (House of God) happens." How does it feel to read that?
