The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-09-07
Jacob at Bethel.
Gen. xviii: 1922.

PROMISES tvcrscs H. u and l5). What was
thus expressed IN picture to the mind was
aftcrward declared IN words Tho duplicated
dclvcrdncc was intended TO increase the inn
prc>siycncss of the message, the ono interpreting
and confirming the other Aud yet the cXplana.
tory language was fuller than the initial vision.
II contained three important points First-Ihc
one who spoke was the God Of Abraham, and of
kaaC the same who made covenant with the
father Of Jacob O;Cn. NNi. 1jlSJ, who now
proposed 10 renew the covenant S,cond-Thc
land promised at first should belong to Jacob
and his postcrty, who should become a great
multitude aud a blessing to all peoples. Third
Tho Divine presence shall he with Jacob in his
Journey. bringing him again in safety to hi.
fathers home, and fulfilling all the gracious
purposes. Here were two very comforting prom.
iscs. both resting on the fdtliulncsS of God,
both we'll suited To strength ;hc heart and Lindle
the hope Of this traveller on his journey to
distant country.
PRESENCE (Vcrscs Ii and III Man so taher.
naclcs in the flesh that his most intimate rea.
tions arc with material things By the senses
there are borne in upon the soul impressions
Of the tangible world in such variety as quite 10
obscure the spiritual world that lies back Of all.
When for hricf time the dominion Of the senses
IL broken, when God reveals Himself. and the
spiritual is seen TO he real men are filled with
fear and reverence. Such experiences are Of in.
calculabc value, as they tend to restore the
normal relations between soul and body (Rom
viii: 6). That was therefore an occasion Of far.
reaching influence in the life Of Jacob When ne
awakened in the morning it was evident that the
vision and message had produced salutary #.
feet He was rcycrcntlv afraid. convinced that
he had been in the presence of God. that he
had gnorantly presumed TO sumhcr in such a
holy spot that, in fact, his couch had been the
house of God and the very gate Of heaven. lie
had learned what many never learn, that the
Lords presence alone renders a place sacred.
PILLAR (vcrsos Is and 10Y The effect OF the
vision was not altogether emotional Jacob was
cmphatically a man of action. He resolved 10
commemorate the remarkable event in his his.
tory by erecting a monument that might mark,
the spot and 50 become holy to him in all after
time. And the stone which had served as a
pillow was set up as pillar. Upon the top of
il oil was poured, n emblem of the gifts
aud graccs of the Holy Spirit. It was believed
at that time that by this ceremony the stone
became instinct with the energy of divinity, a
remnant Of superstition handed down from remote
time. There is foolish tradition that this stone
was afterwards brought to Jerusalem, carried
thence to Spain. afcrward 70 Ireland. thence
to scotland that on 1t the kings Of scotland
were crowned. Edward /, it is claimed had 1t
brought to Westminster, and there this stone
called Jacobs pillar and Jacobs pillow. is now
placed under the chair on which the king sits
when hc il crowned. Jacob further signalizcd
the event by giving name to the locality, call.
ing il Bethel, or literally, House of God.