Jacob was the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham. Abraham had been given the great, covenantal promise from God that God would bless him and make of him a great nation that would bless the world. God repeated and confirmed this promise to Abraham at least 6 times (Genesis 12:1-7; 13:14-17; 15:1-6; 17:1-8, 15-16; 22:16-18). And Abraham believed God. On several of those occasions, upon receiving the promise Abraham built an altar and called upon the Lord. Once, he gave a tithe (10%) to the priest, Melchezidek.
ISSAC
Later, God would revisit that same promise, very personally to Abraham's son, Isaac (Genesis 26:3-4, 24). Isaac built an altar at the spot where this occurred.
JACOB
Now, we come to Isaac's son, Jacob in Genesis, Chapter 28. He is traveling to Haran to find an Israelite wife. He lays his head down to sleep and has an extraordinary dream of a ladder to heaven with angels going up and down. The Lord was standing above the ladder giving this promise:
Third generation, identical promise. Jacob's response was like his ancestors.
Can you imagine how confirming this was to Jacob? Having known his father and grandfather's dealings with God, for God to now come and confirm that Jacob was the heir and continuation of that covenant. And, imagine the responsibility he felt to stay faithful to God Himself.
When God makes a generational covenant, He keeps it. He is faithful. We have seen this promise fulfilled over 4,000 years. In 1948, we saw the continuation of this promise as God returned His people (as He promised) to the very land of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
But, the greatest blessing that has come from Abraham's line was Jesus Himself, who has blessed the whole world, just as God said, building a new kingdom and new nation of "every tongue, tribe, nation, and people" who would come to faith in Christ and a relationship with the King.
And our response should be to build an altar, worship, and give back to God.
Father, thank you for your promises to Your children. And thank you for your promises to me. As you prove faithful, help me to be faithful to love, serve, and follow You. Help me to believe in Your promises. May my life show the world that you are the God-Who-Gives-and-Keeps-Promises, so that you may be more fully glorified.
