The call to return to Bethel – Part 2

The symbolism of Bethel to Jacob and all of us are many that, we can hardly gloss over it.

Firstly, Bethel stands for a place of encounter with God. (Gen.28:10-17). Jacob’s life and testimony are hardly complete without the mention of Bethel in his walk with God. We are all products of our encounters with God. Just as Jacob could not forget his experience at Bethel or his struggle with God at Peniel, the marks of our encounter with God leave an indelible mark on us. Our different encounters with God define our calling and mission in life. Our encounters and consecration to God also create the support system that sustains us through life.

Bethel symbolises a place of a vow. Jacob made a vow to God. “And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously. 20: Then Jacob made a vow, saying: “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on. 21: So that, I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. 22: And this stone, which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You,” (Gen.28:19-22).

The Psalmist said: “Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You,” Psalm 56:12. Vows made to God are very powerful. Hannah made a vow to God before she received Samuel. Much more powerful is when we fulfill our vows to God. Have you made a vow to God? Please,honour your vows.

Bethel was a place where an altar was raised unto God. Altars define our relationship and communication with God. Today, our hearts represent the altars we erect for God. (Gen.28:18-19; 31:13). Our altars should be a place of 24/7 prayers and worship. God waits daily to hear our voices from our altars. We must learn to carry our altars along with us wherever we go. The children of this world carry their gods whenever they migrate. The believer should identify and have an altar wherever he goes. An altar gives us a legal ground of possession and occupation.

Bethel represents a place of consecration (Genesis 35:3). “Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way, which I have gone,” (Genesis 35:3 NKJV). Jacob’s words are testimonies of God’s help, which enabled him to overcome all the challenges he met during his sojourn in Padan Aram.

Bethel represents a place of blessing. God’s blessings on Jacob were remarkable. In his words, he crossed Jordan with a staff, but returned double (Gen.32:10). That is to say, that God multiplied him. Later in life, he invoked this blessing when he prayed for his grandchildren, Manasseh and Ephraim.

“And he blessed Joseph, and said: “God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my life long to this day, the Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads. Let my name be named upon them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” (Genesis 48:15 -16 NKJV).

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