So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, "Jacob! Jacob! Here I am," he replied. -Genesis 46:1, 2
The Bible says that Jacob was on the move once again, as he had been all those years earlier in Genesis chapter 28. There are major differences and major similarities in these passages. Earlier, Jacob had been on the run for his life, and he wasn’t sure what was waiting for him down the road. Now in chapter 46 he is 130 years old, but he knew exactly where he was going; to Egypt to see the son he thought had been dead for the previous 13 years. But there are also similarities in the passages; in both instances Jacob was moving forward, open to God’s leading, and the vision from God came. The Bible says that as they traveled that Jacob stopped along the way for a distinct purpose; to offer sacrifices to God. The Lord had done what He promised, and Jacob had kept his end of the covenant he had made with God. The Lord had provided for Jacob, taken care of him, and brought Jacob back the where he had began.
Jacob had kept his word; the Lord had become His God. In keeping with that word, Jacob worshiped the Lord. I point all this out because that very night Jacob received yet another vision from God. His worship and devotion to God had kept his heart open to the visions that God was placing before him. What would happen to us if we hardened our hearts toward God, ceased from praying, stopped seeking God, and no longer looked to Him? We would no longer be open and receptive to the visions God would have otherwise revealed to us. God is always speaking to us, but we have to be listening. Devotion to God keeps our hearts open to Him. If someone said to me, “God never speaks to me,” me reply might seem harsh. I would have to ask, “Do you love the Lord? And do you love the Lord as Jesus said, with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength?” If we love the Lord that much, then He will speak and we will hear. The vision from God will come to us. Of that we can be certain. When God speaks we will hear, because like the saints of old, we will be listening.
Like Jacob of the Old Testament, we are called to worship the Lord and to seek Him with earnest devotion. Our devotion to God will serve to keep our hearts open that we might hear the Lord when He speaks to us. Seek the Lord, be open to the movement of His Spirit in our hearts. The vision will surely come.
