# 263 Standing Stones

The Book of Genesis

Day 263

Ge 28:17 And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!"  18 Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it.  19 And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously.

Jacob’s encounter with God has got him shaking in his boots. After he was able to calm down he knew this was a special place. It had great meaning for him and for his posterity. So, as was the custom of the day, he decides to mark the spot with the very stone that he used for a pillow, setting it up as some sort of a pillar that would catch the eye of all who passed by. He even went so far as to anoint the stone with oil, and he named the place Bethel. (House of God)

Standing stones were erected as a testimony to God events or encounters. Travelers who would see the stones might ask, “What happened here.” And the people who knew the story would have opportunity to tell it! 

This particular stone, by the way, was one of four that Jacob would erect in his lifetime. We don’t know how many inquiries were made about this particular stone, but as Jesus spoke to Nathaniel some 1800 years later, and declared that He indeed was that ladder, He indeed was the only way to heaven, this standing stone took on significance for believers of all time!  This standing stone was a reminder to all who passed by, that out of Jacob’s seed, the ladder would come to this earth. To those who believe the standing stone would be a precious memorial, but to those who disbelieve it would be nothing more than a stone of stumbling, something to trip over in their spiritual darkness.

What will it be for you? 1Pe 2:6-8 says, “ Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."  7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,"  8 and "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.”

All believers have “standing stones.” These are those events that brought you to faith initially, or perhaps brought you back to faith, or maybe they helped make your faith stronger. These are God sightings in your own life.  Always be ready to tell others about them. They are your testimonies. Your life, (touched by God) is a standing stone, be prepared to tell people about it at every opportunity.