A Promise Beneath the Stars

Jacob was walking along a long, dusty path.

He had left home because his brother Esau was very angry with him. Jacob had tricked his father, and his lie had caused sadness.

Now he was going to find his uncle Laban, his mother's brother.

He carried only a few things. Around him were hills, rocks, and a great big sky.

When night came, Jacob was tired.

He looked for a place to sleep. He had no bed, so he lay down on the ground and put a stone beside his head.

The stars shone above him.

Jacob closed his eyes.

While he slept, he had a special dream.

He saw a very tall ladder. Its bottom rested on the earth, and its top reached all the way to heaven.

Angels were going up and down the ladder!

Then God spoke to him.

God reminded him of the promises he had made to Abraham, his grandfather, and Isaac, his father. One day, Jacob's family would be very large. Through his family, God would bring blessings to many people.

Then God made him a promise:

“I am with you. I will take care of you wherever you go. I will not leave you.”

When Jacob woke up, he looked around in wonder.

“God is here, and I did not know it!”

He was still far from home, but now he knew that God was with him.

In the morning, he stood the stone up to remember that place. He poured a little oil over it and called the place Bethel.

Bethel means “house of God.”

Then Jacob kept walking.

Jacob had begun the night feeling alone. At dawn, he was still far from home, but he carried new hope: God had not abandoned him.

We can admit our wrong choices and ask for forgiveness. God invites us to come back to him and learn a better way. With that promise in his heart, Jacob could continue toward his relatives’ home.