Abraham named that place "The LORD Provides." And even today people say, "On the LORD's mountain he provides."

The LORD will rescue his people when he sees that their strength is gone. He will have mercy on those who serve him, when he sees how helpless they are.

God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them.

He built an altar there and named the place for the God of Bethel, because God had revealed himself to him there when he was running away from his brother.

After that, he moved on south to the hill country east of the city of Bethel and set up his camp between Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There also he built an altar and worshiped the LORD.

Then he left there and moved from place to place, going toward Bethel. He reached the place between Bethel and Ai where he had camped before

and had built an altar. There he worshiped the LORD.

Jacob left Beersheba and started toward Haran.

He dreamed that he saw a stairway reaching from earth to heaven, with angels going up and coming down on it.

They will be as numerous as the specks of dust on the earth. They will extend their territory in all directions, and through you and your descendants I will bless all the nations.

Jacob woke up and said, "The LORD is here! He is in this place, and I didn't know it!"

Jacob got up early next morning, took the stone that was under his head, and set it up as a memorial. Then he poured olive oil on it to dedicate it to God.

Then Jacob made a vow to the LORD: "If you will be with me and protect me on the journey I am making and give me food and clothing,

This memorial stone which I have set up will be the place where you are worshiped, and I will give you a tenth of everything you give me."

Then the LORD said to him, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives. I will be with you."

I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, where you dedicated a stone as a memorial by pouring olive oil on it and where you made a vow to me. Now get ready and go back to the land where you were born.' "

He chose for us the land where we live, the proud possession of his people, whom he loves.

So when you make a promise to God, keep it as quickly as possible. He has no use for a fool. Do what you promise to do.

Don't let your own words lead you into sin, so that you have to tell God's priest that you didn't mean it. Why make God angry with you? Why let him destroy what you have worked for?

he fought against an angel and won. He wept and asked for a blessing. And at Bethel God came to our ancestor Jacob and spoke with him.

Look, a messenger is coming over the mountains with good news! He is on his way to announce the victory! People of Judah, celebrate your festivals and give God what you solemnly promised him. The wicked will never invade your land again. They have been totally destroyed!

and said, "Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?" She answered, "I am running away from my mistress."

Esau hated Jacob, because his father had given Jacob the blessing. He thought, "The time to mourn my father's death is near; then I will kill Jacob."

Now, son, do what I say. Go at once to my brother Laban in Haran,

and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send someone to bring you back. Why should I lose both of my sons on the same day?"

When the king heard about what had happened, he tried to have Moses killed, but Moses fled and went to live in the land of Midian. One day, when Moses was sitting by a well, seven daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian, came to draw water and fill the troughs for their father's sheep and goats.