a. Unsought. Jacob, having beheld this vision, sees God and hears him speak. Remember that Jacob is not seeking after God. He has not come to this place to inquire of God. He has not asked God to confirm the blessing that Isaac spoke over him. He has not asked for a divine confirmation that he is the chosen son. But this is what God does. God speaks and confirms his promise to Rebekah. He establishes the stolen blessing of Isaac. b. The Promise. First God says, “I am the Lord.” This is the covenant name of God, Yahweh. There is no doubt into whose presence Jacob has entered. Then he says I am “the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac.” He is not a God that is far off. He is the God of his father and grandfather. Though he is alone Jacob is not alone. Then Jacob is told that the land on which he is sleeping will be given to him and his descendants. This is the promise that was given to Abraham and now Jacob hears this promise directly from God. The dirt he is sleeping on is his. In verse 14, God speaks the other two parts of the covenant: the multitudes of descendants and the blessing of the nations. Just like the dust he is sleeping in, Jacob’s descendants will spread across the world and will bless all the families of the earth. The last thing that God says to Jacob is, “I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” What a great encouragement to this liar and cheat. Jacob has made a mess of everything and yet, God has promised to be with him wherever he goes. This would become a familiar encouragement to God’s people. The children of our church learned this year Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”