How does naming places in Genesis reflect God's work in our lives? Situating Genesis 35:15 “So Jacob named the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.” (Genesis 35:15) Jacob is back at Bethel, the very spot where years earlier he first met the Lord (Genesis 28:19). God has renewed His promises, Jacob has built an altar, and now he once again fixes the name in memory. Scripture records this second naming so we will not miss the point: God wants encounters with Him memorialized. Why Jacob Kept Naming Places • A name fixes the moment so it cannot be forgotten. • A name announces to others what God has done. • A name turns geography into testimony—every time someone passes by, the story gets retold. • A name becomes a faith-anchor for the one who named it; whenever Jacob heard “Bethel,” he remembered both God’s promise and his own vow. Five Ways Place Names Reveal God’s Work 1. Proof of Divine Encounter – Bethel (Genesis 28:19; 35:15) and Peniel (Genesis 32:30) both proclaim, “God met me here.” 2. Reminder of Promise Fulfilled – Beersheba (Genesis 21:31; 26:33) bears witness to oaths kept and wells provided. 3. Marker of Transformation – Jacob left Bethel the first time as a fugitive; he returns renamed Israel (Genesis 35:10). The place name tracks the heart change. 4. Invitation to Future Generations – “To this day” (Genesis 26:33) signals that descendants could point to the city and recount God’s faithfulness. 5. Call to Worship – Names like “The LORD Will Provide” on Moriah (Genesis 22:14) become perpetual calls to trust and praise. A Quick Tour of Genesis Landmarks • Bethel – “House of God” (Genesis 35:15). Ladder, angels, altar; God’s covenant re-affirmed. • Peniel – “Face of God” (Genesis 32:30). Wrestling through the night, Jacob limps away with a new walk. • Mahanaim – “Two Camps” (Genesis 32:2). Jacob sees angel armies flanking his own camp. • Beersheba – “Well of Oath” (Genesis 21:31). A treaty, a well, and a planted tree proclaim lasting peace. • Moriah – “The LORD Will Provide” (Genesis 22:14). Substitute ram, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice. From Their Stones to Our Stories What God did in patriarchal days He still does today—He meets, speaks, spares, provides, and transforms. The physical landmarks of Genesis invite us to set our own spiritual landmarks so we never lose sight of the Lord’s interventions. Practical Steps to Mark God’s Hand Today • Keep a journal and give clear titles to pivotal entries (“Job Offer Miracle,” “Hospital Room Peace”). • Name seasons of life—“Bethel Summer,” “Peniel Winter”—so testimony rides on everyday conversation. • Place a small stone, plaque, or photo where God met you; let it spark fresh gratitude. • Celebrate anniversaries of answered prayer with family, retelling the story just as Israel retold Beersheba. • Share the names and stories in corporate worship; collective memory strengthens community faith. Every time Scripture records a named place, God is saying, “Remember Me here.” Doing likewise today shapes us into people who live, worship, and witness with unshakable confidence in His ongoing work. |
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