The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-04-12
LESSON FOR APRIL 10
JACOB AT BETHEL.
LESSON TEXT-Gen. 2Slo-2a

LESSON TEXT-Gen. 2SlO-9o
GOLDEN TENT am with thee
VIII kee! thee wEithersoever thou po.s.
Glen. 2S:lj. soest
Esau' Ike the foolish virgins
came wise after his Opportunity NJ
passed, Though there was a nart,
subsequent reformation (2S:6.s)
was not real repentance. Jacob ",
Obliged to flee from his brothers y
ger. In order to get him of in safs,s
Rebekah prompted Isaac to seDS
Jacob to her brother Laban, ostens,b,,
10 seek a wife (27:46), but in realm
for few days." that he might y
cape Esau's wrath.
Couch Of Stones.
l. The Refuge, w. 10, II. Even
wrong act entails retribution. Lead
ing the luxurious home in BeershebJ
JACOB went towards Haran, Wild
name signifies "a parched place" cd
| yonder in the desert at a certain plao,|
not any particular one, this refuge
tarried during the long cold hours
the night. Gathering a few stones a
rude couch. Jacob slept There an
three things TO consider about hiuI
that night: % He was lonely. whidI
gave him time to mediate upon hi
HE and his actions; 90 he was in I
great fear (27:43), which OF coursl
qulckened his thoughts as TO the ultjI
| mate outcome of these experienced
and 90 he was certainly weary. Whad
picture, a weary, troubled, sinful
fugitive whose experience had broushd
him to time and into surrounding
wherein he was compelled to think onl
his ways.
If only men would think and notI
stifie conscience more Of them would
throw themselves upon the mercy oil
a loving father.
II. The Revelation, w. 1915. Jacob
was not in reality alone. Both Cod
and his angels were there in that lionel
ly desert place, Ps. 34:7-139:7. III
was not an accident that caused Jacob
to dream that night Undoubtedly this|
dream came from God Dreams wereI
frequently used of God as a means oil
revelation, method that is not need
full now that we have the holy spirit.
John 1913. Verify all heaven was att
Jacobs right hand.
There are three distinguishing fea-
lures about this revelation: % Ths|
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 isl
a means whereby We attain unto thel
higher things; (2) The Angels. TheyI
were first ascending, then descending:
suggesting. in his extremity. Jacobs
ascending prayer and Gods descendI
ing answer thereto. In this the hour
OF Jacobs deepest trial God stood at
the top Of the ladder ready to reveal
and to succor: see 1878. There
Is In point of fact a close and a real
connection between earth and heaven,
only a veil intervenes. Jesus is our
means of communication between a.
holy God and sinful men. John 1876,
Heb. 1919, 20; co God. Jehovah in
troduced himself in a most gracious
and comforting manner. He 1t was
". 13) that had protected and guided
Jacobs father and grandfather. He
was a tried and tested family friend
and notice the wealth OF blessing
promised in verses 1915; (a) posses
sion of the land; (b) perpetuity of the
possession to Jacobs children; (c)
abundant progeny; I'd children
spread abroad; (e) promise of bless
ng, fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Gal. 3:16;
ID promise of security, 81 am with
hee"; (g) promise Of continual keep
ng, Il will keep thee whithersoever
hou goest." How marvelously and
low miraculously these promises have
,een fulfilled throughout the centu-
les. God has not yet departed from
lis chosen people. though they, like
acob OF old, are now suffering the
'enalty of their sins.
Jacob Arose.
III The Result, w. 1922. Jacob
Weakened and the ladder was re-
moved, but the revelation remained.
he presence. the keeping power, the
uidance and the ultimately finished
York in Jacobs life remained after
he dream had passed. So much was
q impressed with this that he ex.
laims: Surely the Lord Is in this
lace" Jacobs fear ". I'D is the be-
inning of wisdom, Ps. 111:10, see
lso 1928. The words gate Of
eaven," v. II, signifies the gate to 9
opulous city; in like manner we
ave the promise of an encamping
ost ever about US, Ps. 34:7. 2: Kings
1917. Jacob went a step further,
e arose, signifying action. 1t is not
1ough to have a vision. Cody fear
always accompanied by action. TAX
e of the thing at hand, a stone,
icob erected a memorial. and pour
e oil (consecration) upon il. he
illed the name Of that place Bethel,
e house of God. In like manner
cd would have us to take OF the
'mmon things Of our everyday life
Id erect a holy memorial out of
EN- to the honor and glory of his
lme. Twas not alone the place OF
sion. but also Of prayer, and true
aver involves work. Then he
owed a vow"-God had promised
m, now he promised God. "since
ct "if") God will be with me. etc"
lis was not 80 much a bargain as
agreement that Jacob would do
part in consequence Of what God
d promised. Thus we see that the