Jacob Runs Away from Home

by Mary Vee

Genesis 28:10-22

Jacob climbed on his camel. A tear formed when he looked back at his home. His heart pounded one-slow-booming beat at a time that cried out Why? Why did you lie?

"I don't know!"

A servant looked at him. "Master Jacob, do you need help?"

Jacob shook his head and sighed. "No--no, thank you."

The sun pushed heat down on the travelers. Jacob didn't care. He glanced at the servants wiping sweat from their heads, but he didn't feel hot. He didn't even know whether his camel still traveled north towards his mother's childhood home.

He didn't eat all day.

He drank only when his servants insisted.

Jacob plopped back and forth on the camel's hump until a servant rode up next to him. "Ummmm, Master Jacob? The sun is nearly set. Would you like to camp for the night? There's a watering hole over there."

Jacob didn't feel like talking. The servant waited. He probably won't move until I answer. Jacob sighed. "Yeah. Sure. Let's camp here."

The servants brought the camels together by the watering hole. Jacob sat on a rock and watched them. His thoughts raced back to his home and replayed every minute of his lie to his father. He'd never forget the look on Isaac's face. His father knew. He eyes said he knew. Why did he listen to me? Why did he believe my lie? I should be home in my own bed not running away from my family.

The campfire burned brightly, cooking the evening meal. Jacob listen to the crackle and stared at the flames licking the air.

"Master Jacob. Here. Have some dinner." The servant held a bowl and waited for a response.

Jacob turned away. "No. Maybe I can eat tomorrow." He slid to the ground and leaned his head against the rock. I don't know if I could ever eat again.

He closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Jacob saw a ladder reaching to heaven. Some angels of God walked up to heaven, others came down to earth on it.

At the top of the ladder stood the Lord. He looked at Jacob and said, "I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants will be as many as the dust of the earth. They will live on the land to the west, east, north, and south. From you will come the One who will bless the earth."

The Lord continued, "I am with you, Jacob. I will keep you wherever yo go, and will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you."

Jacob sudden awoke. He rubbed his eyes and looked around. "Surely the Lord is in this place and I did not know it." His hands became sweaty and he trembled. "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!"

He ran to the supplies, grabbed the fine oil, and ran back to the rock. "Oh God, if you will be with me and give me bread and clothes and take care of me until I come back to my father's house then you shall be my God." Jacob poured the oil on the rock. "This place shall be called Bethel for this is God's house."

God knew Jacob sinned, yet He decided to love Jacob and take care of him. God also knows we have sinned, yet He has decided to love us and take care of us. How did God show His love for us? Click on the comment button to tell me your answer. If you have a question about this, email me, I'll be happy to talk with you. My email address is godloveskids@yahoo.com