Jacob’s Journey: Presence, Promise and Pledge
May 26, 2024

Jacob’s Journey: Presence, Promise and Pledge

Today, we will examine a story of God’s faithfulness in the life of Jacob.

Genesis 28:10–17 NLT
10 Meanwhile, Jacob left Beersheba and traveled toward Haran. 11 At sundown he arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone to rest his head against and lay down to sleep. 12 As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway.

13 At the top of the stairway stood the LORD, and he said, “I am the LORD, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. 14 Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions—to the west and the east, to the north and the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. 15 What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.”

16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” 17 But he was also afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!”


This message is for anyone in a stage of transition.
Have you felt unsure about what the future holds?

Like Jacob, it might be exciting, but it’s more likely daunting. We find our heads resting on unsocial stones while we search for some time of comfort and assurance. We long for presence and stability.

God’s Presence: Everywhere and Everlasting.

Genesis 28:10-12

These angels ascending and descending on this ladder serve as this beautiful symbol of God’s presence and the presence of his heavenly hosts.

  1. we can be sure about is that God is Everywhere.
  2. And God’s presence is Everlasting.

God’s Promise: Faithful and Firm

Genesis 28:13-15

Now, God stands above this divine ladder or staircase and speaks to Jacob.
1. He lets Jacob know who is speaking.
2. He reminds him of the promise he made to his forefathers.
3. He personalizes the promise to Jacob.


This personalization speaks to the character of God.
a) He will be with him. (Companion)
b) He will keep him. (Guardian)
c) He will bring him back. (Guide)

Jacob’s Pledge: Commitment and Covenant.

Genesis 28:16-22

Experiencing God’s presence and promise led Jacob to call this place the house of God and the gate of heaven, and so he made a pledge.

a) Realization - God is here
b) Reverence - He was afraid.
c) Surrender - He says the Lord shall be my God.
d) Sacrifice—Not only does he set up a place of remembrance, but he commits himself to giving a tenth of what God will give him to go back to God.

As you move into new stages in your life, know that God is always with you (presence), He will always keep you (promise), and our job is to surrender ourselves to his honor and glory (conversion) and fully commit (pledge).

Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3