Milestones in the life of Jacob

A Milestone is a significant event in one’s life. Often a milestone marks a new beginning. For example, the day you were born, the day you were born again, the day you got married or graduated from high school are milestones in your life. Milestone refers to a roadside marker that lists the distance to a particular location.

Jacob had at least four major encounters, which mark the milestones in his life. The first of them was at Bethel. Bethel was where he encountered God. To be precise, where he met with God in a dream. When he was running away from Esau to Pada-Aram, the house Laban, his uncle, he got to a place called Luz. “Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it,” (Genesis 28:12 NKJV).

When he awoke from his sleep he said: “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” And he was afraid and said: “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” (Genesis 28:16-17 NKJV).

Preceding Bethel was the encounter in Mahanaim. Here the angels of God met Jacob and named the place Mahanaim, meaning double company (Genesis 32:1-2). Mizpah was another milestone in Jacob’s life. Mizpah is a Hebrew word meaning “Watchtower.” It was a place of covenant between Laban and Jacob. Laban indicated it as a prayer that the Lord would watch the behaviour of Jacob and himself to ensure they stick to the agreement once they are out of sight of each other. Both men agreed and reconciled at Mizpah; they memorialised their accord. Mizpah was a place of feasting and celebration between Jacob and Laban.

“The two men heaped up a pile of rocks to mark the place where they made a covenant and agreed to part on amicable terms. Laban named the place JegarSahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. However, Laban’s parting words gave the place its more famous name, Mizpah, when he said, “this heap is a witness between you and me today… May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other,” (Genesis 31:48-49). The Jews kept the name Mizpah “Watchtower” due to Jacob’s importance in Jewish history.

Peniel was another milestone and perhaps, the climax. Many would argue that Bethel was the climax of his encounters, but I think Peniel was the climax of Jacob’s encounter with God. It was here that he wrestled with God and his name was changed to Israel and he experienced a turning point in his life.

Peniel was a place of prevailing prayer, a place of wrestling with God for Jacob. It was a place of encounter and transformation, and Jacob extracted blessing from God — he did not let God until He blessed him. It was a place of spiritual breakthrough and victory for Jacob. “And He said: “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed,” (Genesis 32:28 NKJV).

Shechem was another milestone in Jacob’s life (Genesis 33:18-20). Jacob built an altar to God in Shechem.
What are the milestones in your life and how do you cherish and celebrate these milestones?
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