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#6.
Bethel and Peniel.
pp. 46, 47
In our previous paper we considered some of the lessons that are taught by the record
of Jacob's dream at Bethel. This we saw was his first real contact with God; it was the
gate of heaven to Jacob. There followed this initial vision a great variety of experiences,
all having a special relation to Jacob's peculiar nature and position, but by love and hate,
failure and success he was led step by step along the road to the next great experience of
his life which took place at Peniel. There is a real connection between Bethel and Peniel,
not only in the fact that both places were named by Jacob as a result of his experiences,
but because the return journey to Peniel was undertaken upon the express command of
the God of Bethel:--
"I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a
vow unto Me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy
kindred" (Gen. 31: 13).
There is a gracious touch in the way God brings to mind the gratitude of Jacob at
Bethel as expressed in the act of anointing the stone, and making the vow.
The experience associated with Bethel we discovered had some connection also with
the original place name, Luz. We shall find again here, in this second great experience,
that the name of the place contributes to the lesson. Peniel, where Jacob saw the face of
God, was on the banks of the ford Jabbok, and Jabbok means emptying (Jer. 51: 2;
Isa. 24: 1). This connection has ever been true.
Job had maintained his integrity; he had said:--
"My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go; my heart shall not reproach me so
long as I live" (37: 6).
"Oh that I knew where I might find Him! that I might come even to His seat! I would
order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with argument" (23: 3, 4).
But when at last he was led into the presence of God he found himself at his Jabbok--
emptying. He, too, was touched in the hollow of his thigh, and instead of argument he
said:--
"Behold I am vile, what shall I answer Thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth"
(40: 4).
"I have heard of Thee with the hearing of my ear; but now mine eye seeth Thee,
Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (42: 5, 6).
Isaiah had prophesied against Israel, speaking of their rebellion and corruption. He
had warned of coming judgment. He had said, "Woe unto them" six times over in
chapter 5: Then, suddenly, he cries, "Woe is me" (chapter 6:). Isaiah, when he entered
the temple, stood upon the banks of his Jabbok--emptying. He, too, had to be touched--