Story 15 of 100 · Based on Genesis 28:10-22
Jacob and the Ladder to Heaven
Jacob left his home and went on a journey, walking toward a faraway place. When the sun set, he came to a spot and decided to spend the night there.
He took a stone, put it under his head as a pillow and lay down to sleep.
And while he slept, he had a dream. He saw a ladder resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven. The angels of God were going up and down on it.
And beside him stood the Lord, who said:
—I am the Lord, the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac. The land on which you are lying I will give to you and to your descendants. I am with you. I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.
Jacob woke up.
—God is in this place, and I did not know it! —he said, frightened—. How awesome this place is! This is the house of God and the gate of heaven.
Early in the morning, Jacob took the stone he had used as a pillow, set it up as a monument and gave the place a name: Bethel, which means "house of God."
Jacob had gone far from home. But God was with him.
Let's talk: Jacob could not see God, but God was with him. Where do you feel that God is with you?
Even if you can't see him, God is with you tonight. Goodnight.