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Youth Worship 4 June 2022 : "El, Elohe Israel”

Text: Genesis 28:16-22; 33:17-20
4 June 2022

INTRODUCTION

1. The Journey from Canaan, to flee from the wrath of Esau

2. The Vow made at Bethel Genesis 28:16-21

3. The 20 years of labour away from home Genesis 29-31

4. Canaan at last

THE NAMES THAT JACOB GAVE TO PLACES OF SIGNIFICANCE

1. Bethel

a. To commemorate a special event
b. Personal significance: “The House of God” Genesis 28:16-22

2. Mahanaim

a. God’s Camp
b. Where angels gathered Genesis 32:1-2
c. Personal significance: Divine protection

3. Succoth

a. Jacob built himself a house (tent) Genesis 33:17
b. He built booths for his livestock
c. The name of the place: Succoth
d. Meaning: “Booths”
i. Temporary shelters
ii. Booths are not permanent things
iii. He was not in Canaan yet!

IN THE LAND OF CANAAN AT LAST

1. In a city called Shechem

a. This was a city of Canaan
b. Jacob had been brought back safely to his homeland

2. Shechem was of special significance:

a. It was at Shechem when God first appeared to Abram Genesis 12:6
b. It was here that Abram made his first altar of worship Genesis 12:7

THE PURCHASE OF LAND

1. The land belonged to the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father

2. It was bought for 100 pieces of silver Genesis 33:19

3. Abraham had bought Machpelah for 400 pieces of silver Genesis 23:16

4. Jacob’s purchase of land was significant:

a. He planned to stay in Canaan
b. This would be a permanent home
c. This was in obedience to God who told him to return Genesis 31:3

THE ERECTION OF AN ALTAR

1. The erection of an altar

a. For worship
b. What was the essence of this place of worship?

2. He called the place after God

a. El means “God”
b. Elohe Israel
Means: “God, the God of Israel”
c. This not a reference to the nation of Israel
d. This was a reference to the name of that God had given him

3. The LORD is formally acknowledged as his God

a. A vow made 20 years ago
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.”
Genesis 28:20-22
b. This vow was fulfilled
i) In humble worship
ii) In heartfelt worship

CONCLUSION

1. Remembering:

a. Events
b. Places
c. Special lessons learned
Many lessons ought to be remembered!

2. Worshipping:

a. Acknowledging the LORD
b. Praising the LORD
c. Confirming faith in the LORD
d. Heartful and humble

3. Moving Forward:

a. Obedience
b. Settling down
c. Building the Family
d. Strengthening faith in the LORD