It’s one thing for the child of a believer to acknowledge the God of his or her parents; another thing to come to the knowledge of that God through His proven faithfulness in their own experience.
“And Jacob awoke out of his sleep, and said, ‘Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.’ And he was afraid, and said, ‘How awesome this place is! Surely it is the house of God and the gate of heaven!’” (Genesis 28:16,17)
“And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stones that he had placed for his pillow, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil onto it. Jacob was “born crooked”! His name tagged him as one who would seize things that he had no right to possess.
When Jacob came to “Bethel” he was “running for his life” from his brother, Esau, who had threatened to kill him. (Genesis 27:41-45) In Jacob’s dream, the angels “ascended and descended” a staircase.
That would have surprised the crooked Jacob, who may have thought that angels “descended” now and then to find out what he was up to, and then “ascended” back into Heaven to report on his behaviour! The knowledge that God’s angels were his constant unseen companions must have come as a bit of a shock!
Jacob took his rock “pillow” and turned it into a pillar, a lasting monument to his dream. After waking up with Heaven on your mind it’s a good idea to dedicate your dream. But Jacob did more than that: he anointed his dream: he poured olive oil on the pillar after realizing its spiritual significance.
He then “vowed a vow” — made a statement that bound him to Bethel and to The God of “The House of God” – conditional on the LORD’s ongoing presence and protection and a peaceful return to his father’s family.
In the dream, the God of Abraham, and Isaac had made a threefold statement of His divine purpose: “I am with you and will keep you”; “I will bring you back to this land”; and “I will not leave you until I have done that which I have spoken to you.” (Genesis 28:15)
We’ll leave Jacob’s story here, and come back to him 30 years later. In the meantime, the crafty Jacob had found a craftier man in his uncle, who switched Jacob’s bride for another daughter on the wedding night. (Brides were heavily veiled back in those days.)
Jacob had turned back toward his inheritance, and had put away his wives’ idols. He had also wrestled a mysterious heavenly Man for the fulfilment of God’s statement: “I will not leave you until I have done that which I have spoken to you.” That promise had not been fulfilled, and Jacob hadn’t let go until He prevailed.
The result: not only had he received a much-needed blessing, but also a new identity. His name then became Israel: “A Prince of God.” (One who has power with God and prevails.)
After a tearful reconciliation with his brother Esau, Israel returned to Bethel, built there an altar, and called the place “El Bethel” — “The God of the House of God.” Not only the God of his father and grandfather but now also his God.
In adulthood many children born of Christians likewise return to the House of God in recognition of The God of the House of God. This often happens after years of wandering and God’s patient dealings. It is usually an outcome of commitments to Christ made in their youth.
The consequences of their earlier behaviour have worked in them lasting changes during their absence. All the while God has been present, acknowledged or unacknowledged. That’s the grace of God. It’s also His faithfulness to the prayers of their parents.
If you are a grandchild of Christians, you will have observed God’s blessing on your father and grandfather, and also your mother and grandmother. You will have experienced the reality of the power of God during seasons of revival. Almost certainly, you opened your heart to the Lord Jesus as you grew up.
If so, it’s time you came back to Bethel, back to The House of God, to meet The God of the House of God. It’s time for you to get back into the fellowship of your church. Time you rebuilt that memorial you built in your heart so long ago and dedicate it to El Bethel: The God of the House of God.
It will be an acknowledgement that the God of your godly parents is also your God.