Arkansas State press., 1945-08-17
JACOB REALIZES THE
PRESENCE OF GOD

| LESSON TExT-Genesis "a: 1921
| GOLDEN TExT-The Lord 10 nigh
unto all them that call upon Him, TO
aii that call upon Him In truth.-Psalm
l45:iS.
Crises bring out the real qualities
OF man. When they lead him into
the very presence Of God. they be-
come an experience. the remem-
orance of which can bring blessing
all through life.
Jacob had such an experience In
our lesson, and it Is the more re.
markable because he was a man
whose life was far from commenda-
Bile. His mother, Rebekah, had de-
termined that Jacob was to have
Isaac's blessing, even though she
had to use falsehood to get 1t.
Jacob shared the deception
planned by his mother. and thereby
he received the blessing of Esau.
Not willing to wait Gods time for
the carrying out Of His purpose, they
slnned to gain an advantage. Then
to escape the wrath Of Esau, he had
to flee.
l. A Revelation Of Gods Grace
ivy. 1919.
The fugitive was overtaken by
darkness on the second night OF his
journey. and made his bed in the
open. Then came the magnificent
vision of the ladder to heaven.
Heaven and earth are not separat-
ed. There is way to reach the
throne Of God. and there Is a way
for God to reach and bless His peo-
pie. The vision Of the ladder
treasured Jacob.
God renewed to Jacob the GOV.
enant with Abraham and with Isaac.
He does not forget Men make
treaties only to break them. God
says, Il will not leave thee, until
l have done that which l have spok-
en-" ". 15).
In His matchless grace God re-
Heved Jacobs fear by assuring him
OF His protection; his loneliness by
His divine presence: and his uncer-
tainty regarding the future by the
promise Of blessing
Jacobs heart was deeply moved
by his dream, and as he awoke to
full consciousness. he came to
II. A Realization Of Gods Great
ness wv 1910.
Full of holy fear and awe, Jacob
realized the presence of the infinite
God. 1t is proper and wholesome
reaction when man, realizing him.
self to be in Gods presence. is over
come by the awe-inspiring expert
ence.
Theologians, preachers and teach
ers have dared to speak swelling
words of disrespect concerning His
miraculous power. have denied the
deity Of His Son, and have oues-
toned the authority OF His Word.
Having sown the wind of unbelief,
they have reaped from the people
the whirlwind OF irreverence, be-
lifting Of God, and a rejection Of
His authority (Hos. sd.
Jacob was reminded of Gods i'm
mediate presence, "the Lord is in
this place" The place Of his vision
OF heavenly things had special
meaning to Jacob.
The thing that Jacob found out
that night was not that God visits
man, but that God is with man
wherever he is. We expect to meet
Him in the sanctuary, bat He is near
us in the market place. Not alone
in the sanctuary, but where the null
titude gathers in defiance of His law,
He is there" &c Campbell Morgan).
This rich experience led Jacob to
III. A Recognition of Gods Good
ness wv 20-22).
The God who would supply his
every need, who would watch over
him and keep him, was recognized
by Jacob as being worthy of his
devotion, and he made vow that
He should be his God ". 2D.
The grace and goodness of God
are intended to bring men to faith
in Him and devotion to His service.
Yet men can go on year after year,
the benehciaries of all His bounty,
and never so much as say, Thank
YOU" let alone recognize Him as
Lord.
Jacob made very practical and
workable decision to demonstrate
the reality of his vow He promised
that one.tenth Of all God gave him
should be returned to Him.
Many have followed his example
and found blessing in giving a 1.-THE
for the Lords work. Some who
count themselves far better than
poor. weak and tricky Jacob have
done far less to show their appreci-
alton Of Gods blessing.
Note also that Jacob raised a
stone Of remembrance, and gave the
place name which forever after
would recall not only to him, but
to posterity, the wonderful blessing
Of that night. 1t is a great thing to
keep fresh the memory Of the occa-
slons when we have met God in spe-
cial blessing,
Trickery and deception we're
changed to truthfulness and devotion