In my prayer time, I heard this scripture in my spirit – Surely, the Lord is in this place and I didn’t know it.
Genesis 28:16 is a verse from the Holy Bible that describes an incredible encounter between Jacob, the son of Isaac, and God. Here is the verse in question: “When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, ‘Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.’
This verse follows Jacob’s dream of a ladder reaching to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. In the dream, God reaffirms the covenant He made with Jacob’s grandfather, Abraham, and promises to bless Jacob and his descendants. After waking up, Jacob realizes the significance of the experience and acknowledges the presence of the Lord in that place.
The commentary on Genesis 28:16 can focus on a few key aspects:
Sacredness of the Place: Jacob’s statement, “Surely the LORD is in this place indicates the sanctity of the location where he had the dream. This realization brings a sense of awe and reverence, as Jacob recognizes that he had encountered the God of His Fathers in a significant and holy place. It highlights the idea that certain places can become conduits for divine encounters or moments of spiritual significance.
Divine Revelation: The verse emphasizes the idea that God was present in that specific location, even though Jacob was initially unaware of it. This highlights the transcendence of God’s presence and the potential for divine encounters in unexpected places or moments. It serves as a reminder that God’s presence is not confined to specific physical structures or religious settings but can be experienced anywhere. It affirms that not only God’s faithfulness to His promises, but that His presence and blessings extend to the next generation, reinforcing the faithfulness of God for up to a thousand generations (Deuteronomy 7:9).
In summary, Genesis 28:16 captures Jacob’s awakening to the presence of God in a specific place that He named Bethel meaning He gives a name to the location. The verse states, “And he called the name of that place Bethel.” The term “Bethel” is a combination of two Hebrew words: “beth,” meaning “house,” and “el,” which is a reference to God. Therefore, “Bethel” can be translated as “House of God” or “God’s dwelling place.” By naming the place Bethel, Jacob is essentially designating it as a sacred site, a place where God’s presence was experienced and acknowledged. He was astonished at finding that He was in the Prescence of the Omnipotent, Supreme and Almighty God! Sometimes, He is right there where we did not think He had been.
One commentary says, “On his departure from that land, he was to carry with him a sacred awe of the gracious presence of Yahweh there. To that end the Lord proved to Him that He was near, in such a way that the place appeared “dreadful,” inasmuch as the nearness of the Holy God makes an alarming impression upon unholy man, and the consciousness of sin grows into the fear of death. But in spite of this alarm, the place was none other than “the house of God and the gate of heaven,” i.e., a place where God dwelt, and a way that opened to Him in heaven.”
May we all experience an extraordinary encounter with the God of all gods!
Exodus 15:11
Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders.