Genesis 28:16-19
“When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.”
[Preached at consecration of the chapel erected in Stansted Park]
On whatever side we look, we see abundant evidence that “God’s ways are not as our ways, nor his thoughts as our thoughts.” With us, there are laws of equity prescribed for the regulation of our conduct in the whole of our interaction with men; and on our strict observance of them the welfare of society depends.
But God is not restrained by any such rules in his government of the world; men having no claims whatever upon him, he has a right to dispose of them, and of all that pertains unto them, according to his own sovereign will and pleasure. This right too he exercises in a way, which, though inexplicable to us, is manifest to all.
In the conversion of Paul we see this in as striking a point of view as it can possibly be placed. Paul, even to the very moment of his conversion, was breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of our Lord, having voluntarily enlisted himself in the service of the high-priest to execute against them his cruel decrees. He was, as he himself tells us, “a blasphemer, and injurious, and a persecutor;” nor had he so much as one penitential pang, until he was arrested by the grace of God, and favored with a sight of that very Jesus, whose interests he was laboring to destroy!
Somewhat of a similar display of God’s grace may be seen in the history before us. Jacob had been guilty of base deceit in relation to his brother’s birthright. He had even represented God himself as confederate with him in that wicked act, and as facilitating by an extraordinary exercise of divine power the attainment of his object. By this treacherous conduct he had greatly incensed his brother against him, and rendered any longer continuance under his father’s roof unsafe. Rebekah, who had instigated him to this wickedness, recommended him to flee; and, to reconcile Isaac to his departure, proposed that he should go to his uncle Laban, and take a wife from among his own relatives, and not connect himself with any of the daughters of Canaan, as his brother Esau had done. This however was a mere pretext; the true reason of his departure was, that he feared the wrath of Esau, and fled to avoid the effects of his merited indignation.
Thus circumstanced, it could not fail but that he must at this time be in a state of much disquietude, not only as being driven from his family at the very time that his pious and aged father was supposed to be dying, but as having brought this evil on himself by his own base and treacherous conduct, and as having provoked God to anger, as well as man, by his impiety. Wearied with fatigue of body and anxiety of mind, he laid himself down to rest under the open canopy of Heaven, with nothing but the bare ground for his bed, and a stone for his pillow. If it be asked, why he did not go into the adjacent city to seek a more comfortable lodging there; I answer, that it was altogether owing to the state of his mind; and his conduct in this respect was perfectly natural; the pain of a guilty conscience uniformly indisposing men, not only for society, but often for any physical necessities.
Who would have thought that under such circumstances he would so speedily be honored with one of the most wonderful manifestations of God’s love that ever were given to mortal man? Yet on this very night did God draw near to him as a reconciled God, and pour into his bosom all the consolations which his soul could desire.
Well might Jacob express surprise at this marvelous display of God’s love and mercy; and I pray God that somewhat of the same holy feelings may be engendered in us, while we consider:
I. His unexpected discovery—
There were two things with which Jacob was favored on this occasion; a vision, and a voice.
In the vision, he saw a ladder reaching from earth to Heaven, and angels ascending and descending upon it, while God himself stood above it to regulate their motions. This imported, that, however destitute Jacob at this time was, there was a God who ordered everything both in Heaven and earth, and who by means of ministering angels would effect in behalf of his believing people whatever their diversified necessities might require.
By the voice, he was informed, that all which had been promised to Abraham and to Isaac, respecting the possession of Canaan by their posterity, and the salvation of the world by the promised Seed, would be fulfilled, partially in his own person, and completely in his posterity.
Thus did God exhibit himself to him on this occasion as a God of providence and of grace, and, under both characters, as his God forever and ever. Such a revelation, at such a time, and such a place, a place where the grossest idolatry prevailed to the utter exclusion of the only true God, astonished him beyond measure, and constrained him to exclaim, “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not!” He now saw that God was not confined to any place or country; and that wherever he should reveal himself to man, there was “the house of God, and there the gate of Heaven,” through which the vilest sinner in the universe might gain access to him.
To prosecute this subject further in reference to Jacob is unnecessary. It is of more importance to consider its bearing on ourselves. Know then, that, though the vision and the voice had a special respect to Jacob, and the circumstances in which he was more immediately interested, they are eminently instructive to us also, and that, not merely as prophecies that have been fulfilled, but as illustrations of the way in which God will yet magnify the riches of his grace towards his believing people.
How wonderful on many occasions have been the dispensations of his providence! Circumstances as much unlooked for as Jacob’s possession of the land of Canaan, have frequently occurred; and, though perhaps small in themselves, have led to results, which have been of the utmost importance through our whole lives. Had we been more observant of the leadings of providence, and marked with more precision the time and the manner in which the different events of our lives have occurred, we would be no less struck with wonder and amazement than Jacob himself.
How extraordinary have been the communications of his grace! Perhaps when we have been surrounded on every side by men immersed in the cares and vanities of this world, ourselves also destitute of all holy principles, and under the guilt of all our past sins—we have been brought to hear the Word of God, and to feel its power, yes and to taste its sweetness also, through the manifestations of the Savior’s love to our souls.
Possibly, even the enormity of some particular sin has, as in the case of Onesimus, been the very means which God has made use of for bringing us to repentance, and for converting our souls to him.
It may be that, like Zacchaeus, we have gone to some place, where we contemplated nothing but the gratification of our curiosity; and have been penetrated beyond all expectation by a voice from Heaven, saying, “Come down, Zaccheus; for this day is salvation come to your soul”
Perhaps some heavy affliction has been made the means of awakening us to a sense of our lost estate; and through a manifestation of Christ to our souls we have found a Heaven, where we anticipated nothing but accumulated and augmented sorrow. Yes truly, there are witnesses without number, at this present day, that God still acts in a sovereign way in dispensing blessings to mankind; and that those words are yet verified as much as ever, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me! Romans 10:20.”
And now let me ask: Whether the effect of such manifestations are not the same as ever? Have we not on such occasions been ready to exclaim, “This is the house of God! this is the gate of Heaven?” Yes; it is not in the power of outward circumstances, however calamitous, to counter-balance such joys as these. Even the terrors of a guilty conscience are dissipated in a moment; and peace flows in upon the soul like a river.
The practical effects upon the life which will result from this experience may be seen in,
II. The grateful acknowledgments which it drew from Jacob.
“Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.” He determined to erect a memorial of the stupendous mercy that had been given to him, and to serve his God in that very place which had been so commended to him by the providence and grace of God. Accordingly he took the stone on which he had reclined his head, and erected it for a pillar, and poured oil upon it, in order to consecrate it to the special service of his God. We have no account of any express command from God that oil should be applied to this purpose by him; but in after-ages it was particularly enjoined to Moses to be used in consecrating the tabernacle, together with all the holy vessels and instruments that were employed in God’s service, Numbers 7:1; as also to be used in all the peace-offerings that were presented to the Lord, “These are the regulations for the fellowship offering a person may present to the LORD: “‘If he offers it as an expression of thankfulness, then along with this thank offering he is to offer cakes of bread made without yeast and mixed with oil, wafers made without yeast and spread with oil, and cakes of fine flour well-kneaded and mixed with oil, Leviticus 7:11-12.”
Thus not only under the law, but long before the law, we behold the solemn rite of consecration performed by one of God’s most highly-favored servants; and a place that was common before, rendered holy to the Lord by the administration of this ordinance. How acceptable to God this service was, may be judged from hence, that, twenty years afterwards, God again appeared to Jacob, and reminded him of this very circumstance, saying, “I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar, and where you vowed unto me, Genesis 31:13.” “Arise, and go up to Bethel, and dwell there; and there make an altar unto God, that appeared unto you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother, Genesis 35:1.” And in obedience to this command, we are told, “Jacob came to Luz, that is, Bethel, and built an altar there, and called the place El-Bethel, because God there appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother, Genesis 35:6-7.”
Do we not then see in this record how we also should mark the interpositions of God in our behalf? Does it not befit us to remember them, and to perpetuate the remembrance of them for the instruction and encouragement of others? Should not the honor of God be dear to us; and, if the place which God has signalized in so remarkable a way, have hitherto been distinguished by the name of Luz (a place of almonds, and of carnal delights), should we not labor to convert it to a Bethel, and to render it to all future generations a house of God, and, if possible, the very gate of Heaven? Let the idea be derided as it may by those who know not God, this is an action worthy of a child of Abraham, a service acceptable and well-pleasing unto God.
In the verses following my text we have the vow of Jacob respecting this place recorded, “This stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house; and of all that you shall give me, I will surely give the tenth unto you.” Thus, while he consecrated here an altar to the Lord, he provided for the service of that altar by an actual endowment. What might be his circumstances, or the circumstances of his family, in future life—he knew not; yet he bound himself by this solemn and irrevocable vow.
What any ignorant and ungodly man might think of this, it is easy to imagine; but I find not in all the inspired volume one single word that discountenances such a conduct. I find, on the contrary, the whole people of Israel contributing according to their power towards the erection of the tabernacle, and stripping themselves of their ornaments in order to furnish it with vessels for the service of their God. I find David, the man after God’s own heart, even when not permitted to build the temple himself, devoting not less than eighteen million of money to the preparing of materials for it. I find similar exertions made by others, at a subsequent period, for the rebuilding of the temple. I find a poor widow, who had but one farthing in the world, commended for casting it into the treasury, to be expended for the Lord.
In whatever light then the lovers of this world may view such an appropriation of wealth, I have no hesitation in saying, that it will never be condemned by our God. What if, by means of it, God’s salvation is made known, and his name be glorified? What if many who have immortal souls, now sunk in ignorance and sin, “are turned by means of it from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God?” What if, by the erection of an altar here, there is in this place something effected towards the accomplishment of that promise, “In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the Lord; and it shall be for a sign and for a witness to the Lord in the land of Egypt; for they shall cry unto the Lord because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a Savior, and a Great One, and he shall deliver them! Isaiah 19:19-20.” Should God so honor this place, and so testify his acceptance of the sacrifices that shall here be offered, how will they bless him, who have been born to God in this place! and how will they bless him, who have been his honored instruments of erecting an altar here, and of consecrating it to his service!
What now remains, but that I endeavor to IMPROVE this joyful occasion for the benefit of those who hear me
Are there any here who are bowed down under a sense of sin? Perhaps, though you may have come here only to witness a novelty, God has brought you here to speak peace unto your souls, and to anoint you to the possession of a kingdom, when you have no more contemplated such an event than Saul did, when he was in the pursuit of his father’s donkeys. Know of a truth, that God is in this place, though you may not be aware of it. Know, that he is a God of love and mercy, as much as ever he was in the days of old. Know that he has still the same right to dispense his blessings to whoever he will, even to the very chief of sinners! Know that he has not only the same communication with men as ever through the instrumentality of angels, but that he has access to the souls of men by his Holy Spirit, who is ready to impart unto you all the blessings of grace and glory. Know that the Seed promised to Jacob has come into the world, even the Lord Jesus Christ; and that he has fulfilled all that is necessary for our salvation. He has expiated our guilt by his own blood upon the cross; and has made reconciliation for us with our offended God; so that through Him all manner of sin shall be forgiven unto men, and “all who believe in him shall be justified from all things.”
O Beloved, only look unto Him, and whatever were the load of guilt under which you groaned, you should find rest and peace unto your souls, “Where sin had abounded, His grace should much more abound;” and “though your sins were as scarlet, they should be as wool; though they were red like crimson, they should be white as snow.”
It may be that someone may have come here, who, though not particularly bowed down with a sense of guilt, is oppressed with a weight of personal or domestic troubles. Who can tell? God may have brought such a one here this day, in order to fill his soul with heavenly consolations. O that, if such a one be here, God may now appear unto him as a reconciled God, and “say unto him, I am your salvation!” O that by the word now spoken in God’s name, there may this day be “given unto him beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that he may become a tree of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, and that God may be glorified!”
You have done well that you have come here; for it is in the house of prayer that God pours out more abundantly upon men the blessings of grace and peace, “He loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.” Thousands and millions of afflicted souls have found in God’s house such discoveries of his love, and such communications of his grace, as they before had no conception of; and you at this hour, if you will lift up your soul to God in earnest prayer, and cast all your burdens upon him, shall say before you go hence, “This is the house of God; this is the gate of Heaven!”
Know of a truth, that one ray of the Sun of Righteousness is sufficient to dispel all the gloom and darkness of the most afflicted soul; and, if only you will direct your eyes to Him, however your afflictions may have abounded, your consolations shall much more abound.
I trust there are not wanting here some who can bear testimony to the truth of these things by their own experience; and who, from the discoveries which they have received of the Savior’s love, “are filled with peace and joy in believing.” To such then will I say, Bless and magnify your God with all the powers of your souls, “let the children of Zion be joyful in their King;” let them “rejoice in the Lord always;” let them “rejoice in Him with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” At the same time, even while they are, as it were, “at the very gate of Heaven,” let me particularly caution them against that kind of joy which is tumultuous, and that kind of confidence which borders on presumption.
There is a holy fear, which is rather increased than dissipated by heavenly joy; and a solemn awe, that always accompanies the manifestations of God to the soul. Observe the state of Jacob’s mind on this occasion, “He was afraid; and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God; this is the gate of Heaven.” Thus blended in its nature, thus tempered in its exercise, thus chastised in all its actings, should our joy be.
It is of great importance that we should all remember this; for there is among the professors of religion much joy that is spurious, much confidence that is unhallowed. We may have great enlargement of heart; but we must “fear and be enlarged;” we may possess much joy; but we must “rejoice with trembling.” Even in Heaven itself the glorified saints, yes, and the angels too, though they have never sinned—fall upon their faces before the throne, while they sing praises to God and to the Lamb. Let such then be your joy, and such your sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving.
But let not all your gratitude evaporate in unsubstantial, though acceptable, emotions. Think with yourselves what you can do for Him, who has done so much for you. Say with yourselves, “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits?” Think how you may improve your mercies for the good of your fellow-creatures, and the honor of your God.
Of Jacob it is said, “He rose up early in the morning, and took the stone and raised it for a pillar.” Let it be thus with you also; lose no time in honoring your God to the utmost of your power. Account all you have, whether of wealth or influence, as given to you for that end. Determine that those who are around you shall have before them the evidences of true piety, and such memorials as shall, if possible, lead them to the knowledge of the true God.
Jacob had it not in his power at that time to do all that his heart desired; but he did what he could; and twenty years afterwards, when his means of honoring God were enlarged, he executed all his projects, and performed the vows which he had made. Thus let your desires be expanded to the uttermost; and then fulfill them according to your ability. So shall you have within yourselves an evidence that God is with you in truth; and having been faithful in a few things, you shall be rulers over many things in the kingdom of your God!
Charles Simeon (1759-1836)