The Red Cloud chief., 1913-04-10
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNDGSQlOOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR APRIL 13
JACOB At BETHEL.
By p. o. SELLERS. Director Of Even.
ing Department The Moody Bible In.
stitute OF Chicago)


GOLDEN TEXT am with thee, and
Will keep thee whithersocver thou gocst."
Cen 2S:l6.
Esau. like the foolish virgins, BE-
came wise after his opportunity had
passed. Though there was partial
subsequent reformation (2S:6.s) Il
was not real repentance. Jacob was
obliged to fee from his brothers an.
ger. In order to get him OF In safety
Rebekah prompted Isaac to send
Jacob to her brother Laban. ostensibly
to seek q wife (27:46). but in reality
"for few days." that he might es.
cape Esau's wrath.
Couch Of Stones.
l. Tho Refuge, w. 10, II. Every
wrong act entails retribution. Leav.
ing the luxurious home In Beersheba,
Jacob went towards Haran. which
name signifies "a parched place." Out
Sonder In the desert at aoertain place,
not any particular one. this refugee
tarried during the long cold hours Of
the night. Gathering few stones as
rude couch. Jacob slept. There are
three things to consider about him
that night: u) He was lonely. which
gave him time to mediate upon his
life and his actions; (2) he was in q
great fear (27:43). which of course
quickened his thoughts az to the ulti.
mate outcome Of these experiences.
and (3) he was certainly weary. What
a picture. weary. troubled. sinful
fugitive whose experience had brought
him to time and into surroundings
wherein he was compelled to think ON
his ways.
II only men would think and not
stifle conscience more of them would
throw themselves upon the mercy Of
. loving father.
II. The Revelation, w. 1915. Jacob
was not in reality alone. Both God
and his angels were there in that lone
ly desert place, Ps. 34:7.139:7. It
was not an accident that caused Jacob
to dream that night. Undoubtedly this
dream came from God. Dreams were
frequently used Of God 40 q means OF
revelation. q method that 10 not need.
full now that we have the holy spirit.
John 1918. Verify all heaven was at
Jacobs right hand.
There are three distinguishing fea-
lures about this revelation: (1) The
Ladder. This might have been sug.
gested to Jacob by the nature Of the
mountainous country over which he
had been or was passing. A ladder is
D means whereby we attain unto the
higher things; (2) The Angelo. They
were first ascending. then descending;
| suggesting in his extremity. Jacobs
ascending prayer and Gods descend.
ing answer thereto. In this the hour
Of Jacobs deepest trial God stood at
the top of the ladder ready to reveal
himself and to succor: see 36:3. There
y in point Of fact close and real
connection between earth and heaven.
only q veil intervenes. Jesus 10 our
means of communication between .
holy God and sinful men. John 14:6.
Heb. 1919. 20; (3) God. Jehovah in.
troduced himself In q most gracious
pd comforting panner. He It was
". 1S) that had protected and guided
Jacobs father and grandfather.
Jacob Aross.
III. The Result, w. a622. Jacob
awakened and the ladder was re.
moved. but the revelation remained.
The presence. the keeping power. tho
guidance and the ultimately finished
work in Jacobs life remained after
the dream had passed. so much was.
he impressed with this that he ex.,
claims: Surely tho Lord 10 In this,
place." Jacobs fear ". ~ 10 the be-
ginning Of wisdom. Pc. 111:10, see!
also 1928. The words gate Of,
heaven" v. II. signifies the gate to a
populous city; in like manner We
have the promise OF an encampingI
host ever about US. Ps. 34:7. 3; Kings
6!16.17. Jacob went step further.
he arose. signifying action. It is not!
enough to have q vision. Cody feari
IL always accompanied by action, TAX,
ing of the thing at hand. q stone.,
Jacob erected q memorial. and pour.
ing oil (consecration) upon It. he,
called the name Of that place Bethel.
the house Of God. In like manner
God would have Us to take Of the,
common things of our everyday life|
and erect q holy memorial out Of
them to the honor and glory Of his,
name. Twas not alone the place Of
vision. but also of prayer. and true,
prayer involves work.
This lesson 10 . wonderful revelar
don Of the love. grace and patience Of
God watching over and dealing with
ono Of his errihg children. Jacob had
forfeited his home by his folly. Note
his surpriseful expression. Surely the
Lord was In this place and knew It
not"
Another great lesson u that Of the
close connection Of God and Of heaven,
with men and affairs here on this.
earth. mans nearness to God. Divine
revelation and human humbling are
always closely conhected. Jacob REQ
ognised the divine revelation. and be-
lieved In the promise and purpose OF
Jehovah. another evidence Of his su.;