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📘 Genesis 28 – Jacob’s Dream at Bethel: The Covenant Confirmed

(Part 28 in the “God Keeping Covenant” Series)

Genesis 28:1–2 — Isaac Sends Jacob to Padan-Aram

Isaac blesses Jacob and commands him:

“Do not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan.”

He must marry into the covenant family.

Covenant Lesson:

Covenant purpose requires covenant partnerships.

Genesis 28:3–4 — Isaac Speaks the Abrahamic Blessing Again

Isaac says:

• “God Almighty bless you”
• “Make you fruitful and multiply you”
• “Give you Abraham’s blessing”

This is the covenant officially transferred.

Covenant Lesson:

God’s covenant must be spoken and passed down intentionally.

Genesis 28:5–9 — Esau Tries to Please His Parents, But Without Covenant Understanding

Esau sees his parents dislike his Canaanite wives.
So he marries Ishmael’s daughter — trying to fix spiritual consequences with natural decisions.

Covenant Lesson:

You cannot fix spiritual problems with fleshly solutions.

Genesis 28:10–11 — Jacob Stops at a Place Called Luz

Jacob is alone, afraid, and sleeping outside with a stone for a pillow.

Covenant Lesson:

God often reveals Himself in places of loneliness, fear, and transition.

Genesis 28:12 — Jacob Dreams of a Ladder to Heaven

“A ladder set up on the earth… angels ascending and descending.”

This represents:

• Heaven touching earth
• Angels ministering
• Covenant access
• A prophetic picture of Jesus (John 1:51)

Covenant Lesson:

Wherever God’s covenant person stands, heaven is open.

Genesis 28:13–15 — God Speaks the Covenant Directly to Jacob

God says:

• “I am the LORD God of Abraham and Isaac”
• “The land is yours”
• “Your seed shall be as the dust of the earth”
• “In you and your seed all families of the earth will be blessed”
• “I am with you”
• “I will keep you”
• “I will bring you back”
• “I will not leave you”

This is Jacob’s first personal encounter with God.

Covenant Lesson:

Covenant must become personal — not just inherited.

Illustration:

A child raised in church finally encounters God for themselves.

Genesis 28:16–17 — Jacob Awakens in Awe

“Surely the LORD is in this place, and I knew it not.”

He says:

“This is the house of God… the gate of heaven.”

Covenant Lesson:

Sometimes the most ordinary places become holy places when God shows up.

Genesis 28:18–19 — Jacob Sets Up a Pillar & Renames the Place “Bethel”

Bethel means “House of God.”

The stone becomes:

• A memorial
• A place of worship
• A prophetic site for future encounters (Jacob returns here in Genesis 35)

Covenant Lesson:

Covenant experiences must be marked, remembered, and revisited.

Genesis 28:20–22 — Jacob Makes a Vow

Jacob vows:

• The LORD will be my God
• This stone will be God’s house
• I will give a tenth to God

Jacob responds with faith and commitment.

Covenant Lesson:

A real encounter with God produces devotion, obedience, and giving.

🔑 15 MAJOR COVENANT PRINCIPLES FROM GENESIS 28

1. Covenant blessings must be passed down intentionally.
2. Covenant marriages matter for God’s long-term plan.
3. God meets covenant people in lonely and fearful places.
4. Heaven is open over God’s chosen.
5. Angels ministe

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