EL-BETHEL

 Gen 35:6 So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, that is, Beth–el, he and all the people that were with him. 7And he built there an altar, and called the place El–beth–el: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother.

 

It was Jacob that had renamed Luz till Bethel, meaning the House of God. He renamed it after his first encounter with Luz, when he had a dream seeing a latter that reached to heaven, and God standing on the top of the latter. When he woke up from his dream he said, ”Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not…” and he called the place Bethel, or the House of God (Gen 28:16) He was unaware that he stepped into Gods presence, and the gate of Heaven. 

This time however, when he arrives on his way back from Laban, he builds an altar and calls it El-Bethel, or the God of the house of God. 

Too many people only have a relation to the House of God. They go to the House of God by tradition, or by custom. They do their religion. Maybe because that’s what their family do. Maybe because they have been invited by e friend, and just like Jacob the first time, they are unaware that they step into Gods presence, and the gate of Heaven. 

God wants us to know not only his house, but also himself. He wants us to build an altar, and a relationship with the God of the house of God. If you like Jakob have been to the House of God unaware of his presence, then I suggest to you, next time you go to look for and search for the God of the house of God. That’s what its all about.