Genesis 28:10-16“And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stone s of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.”

Jacob’s father sent Jacob back to the place of their nativity to find a bride for himself. On the way to his uncle Laban’s, Jacob was overtaken by darkness, forcing him to make camp for the night. As he slept, the Lord appeared unto Jacob. When Jacob awoke, he made this shameful statement; “the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.” The word “knew” means to know or ascertain by seeing, to recognize, to be acquainted with. Here is a young man that has been raised in a Godly family. His grandfather, Abraham was often referred to as “The Friend of God.” Yet, with all of these benefits, Jacob failed to be conscious of the personal presence of God. Jacob discovered that a Godly pedigree was not a substitute for a God’s that personal! It is not enough to know someone that knows God. Each one of us must have our own personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ! God is not only personal in redemption, but personal in revelation! God had revealed Himself personally to Abraham, Isaac, and Rebekah. God wanted Jacob to know Him in a personal way. God uses the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit, and our surroundings to make us aware of His presence. When was the last time that you were aware of the personal presence of God in your life? He is a God that is making Himself known to others and He wants to make Himself known to you! Have you seen Him lately?