One of my favorite things about studying the names of God is how God reveals Himself to us through the characteristics associated with his name. El Bethel is the name of God that means the “God of Bethel.” For the name, “El Bethel,” I think of how real God was to Jacob, just at the time Jacob needed it. Jacob was running away from his brother; God reiterated the promise for Jacob’s future and also provided a way of escape for him. In the same way, God proves himself to us over and over if we give Him a chance. Whenever we need him, all we have to do is ask for his help. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
The name El-bethel occurs only once in the Bible. It’s the name that Jacob gave to the place near Bethel where he had seen the famous ladder from earth to heaven, when God sent him back there to commemorate that event. The word אל (El) is either a semi-personal name of God, or the commonly accepted abbreviation of Elohim, the genus God: God of Bethel, the name of the place where Jacob had the vision of the ladder, and where he built an altar.
We read of the story in Genesis 28:12-22, Jacob had a dream, he saw a stairway to heaven and the angels of God were climbing up and down the steps. The Lord, himself, was standing at the top of the stairway and spoke to Jacob, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All people on the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you.”
Can you imagine a dream such as that? What an amazing experience, to see the angels going up and down the ladder to heaven and then to audibly hear God’s voice. No wonder Jacob went back to the very same place to remember the event by building a tangible reminder – an altar. We read about it in Genesis 35:6-7, “So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him. He built an altar there, and called the place El Bethel, because there God had revealed Himself to him when he fled from his brother.”
Maybe you haven’t been visited by God in a dream, lately, but you’ve had a recent answer to prayer. Why not take a moment and ask God to show you how to remember the answer? It helps to write down the time and place the answer came, and you can even take it a step further and set up an area of remembrance. In The War Room Movie, Miss Clara has a “Wall of Remembrances” – answers to prayer. What a wonderful way to give God the glory and also remind us of how God has worked in our lives. God knows how short our memories are! We need reminding to remember God always answers prayer. Let’s ask El Bethel to help us. He will answer.
Enjoy this 30-Day guide to Praying the Names of God.
Exchanging hurt for hope is Sheryl Giesbrecht’s focus—a message she shares with audiences as a radio and television personality, author and speaker. A dynamic teacher and motivating leader, Giesbrecht has endured many changes and challenges, moving her to a deep faith, trust and dependence on God.
She served as Focus on the Family’s columnist for Pastor’s Wives for four years. Hundreds of her columns, magazine and devotional articles have appeared in Focus on The Family Magazine, Just Between Us, Discipleship Journal, CCM, Walk Thru the Bible’s – InDeed and Tapestry publications.
Giesbrecht’s radio show, “Transformed Through Truth” is nationally and internationally syndicated and heard daily by over 10 million listeners on networks across the United States. The Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network shares the show internationally on seven continents. “Transformed Through Truth” launched as a 30-minute internet television teaching feature in March 2017. To view this amazing teaching time, go to www.HSBN.tv.
Sheryl has a heart for missions and is avid about reaching out to the poor and needy, locally through the Rescue Mission and worldwide through various ministry partners. Giesbrecht is a Lead Like Jesus Facilitator and missionary with Freedom In Christ Ministries (www.FICM.org) and has been personally involved with equipping hundreds and facilitating the training of thousands of leaders internationally. Sheryl’s latest book is entitled It’ll Be Okay: Finding God When Doubt Hides the Truth.
The joys of Giesbrecht’s life are her children and thirteen grandchildren. She is excited about the new beginning she shares with her marriage to Dr. Jim Turner. Sheryl holds a Bachelor of Arts from Biola University, a Master’s in Ministry and a Doctorate of Theology.
Learn more about Sheryl Giesbrecht on her website, www.sherylgt.com. She also invites readers to follow her on Facebook, and on Twitter (@SGiesbrecht).
