. The training of the Chosen people. h thechannel of this desire. We read the narrative of Ja-cobs experience at Beth-el with surprise. We say:Here was a man who deceived his father, andwronged his brother, and God gave him a revelationlike that, and renewed to him the Great are we to make of it? Does it show that 18 Old Testament History righteousness is not a condition of enjoying the favorof God? This very objection brings into view a primary fea-ture of the religion of the Bible. In spite of his sin,Jacob had a true desire, and that desire became a lad-der down which angels th
. The training of the Chosen people. h thechannel of this desire. We read the narrative of Ja-cobs experience at Beth-el with surprise. We say:Here was a man who deceived his father, andwronged his brother, and God gave him a revelationlike that, and renewed to him the Great are we to make of it? Does it show that 18 Old Testament History righteousness is not a condition of enjoying the favorof God? This very objection brings into view a primary fea-ture of the religion of the Bible. In spite of his sin,Jacob had a true desire, and that desire became a lad-der down which angels thronged. Every religion ex-cept that of the Bible says, Do good, practice right-eousness that you may win the favor of God. Chris-tianity says, Do good, practice righteousness, becauseyou have the favor of God. It is primarily and es-sentially a revelation of Gods grace to sinful commendeth his own love toward us, in that,while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (:8). The vision of Beth-el was not a rebuke or a sen-. Modem Bethel. tence of judgment. Jacobs own heart could be trust-ed for that. It was the disclosure of a high calling,a noble privilege, a splendid destiny. To the sinfulfugitive, sleeping on a pillow of stones, the GreatPromise was renewed. Jacobs heart received a newuplift and inspiration, and, after that night at Beth-el, he was never again the same man. The experience at Peniel, twenty and more yearslater, was a fitting supplement to the vision at Beth-el. He was returning to the promised land confidentin his sagacity and resources. But the fruitage ofhis old sin in the heart of Esau threatens him, andhe has to reckon with God as well as with his broth- Chapter 6. Forces that Transform Character 19 er. In the night watches, wrestling with the mysteriousstranger, and becoming wounded and helpless, helearned that if he entered into the Great Promise atall, it must be by receiving it as a gift from the hand ofGod. It was too vast a thing to be won
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