在创世记一、二章我们看见，人虽然是照着神的形像造的，却是由尘土构成的。神的形像是为着神的彰显，尘土当然不适合彰显神。因此，就有变化的需要。变化不仅仅是形状上的改变，也是性质上的改变，因为变化这辞是指新陈代谢的改变。我们需要在性质上有所改变，使我们的性质和外表不再是属尘土的。在创世记二章，人是尘土，但在启示录二十一章，人是宝石。在永世里，不需要清洗。一切的尘土都要变化成为宝石。
在创世记二章有一个泥土造的人，在创世记二十八章我们看见一个泥土造的人枕在石头上。圣经确实是神写的。这段话很简短，却很重要、深奥、有意义，范围包括了整本圣经。在十一节，我们看到雅各用作枕头的石头。大家都知道，枕头是用来枕着休息的。在十八节，这块枕石成了柱子。枕头是用来休息的，柱子却是用来支撑建筑物的。加拉太二章九节说，雅各、彼得、约翰是教会的柱石。此外，启示录三章十二节说，得胜者要在神殿中作柱子。在创世记二十八章有石头、枕头和柱子。不但如此，至终这根柱子成了伯特利，神的家。在这短短的一段话里，我们还看到一个梯子立在地上，梯子的头顶着天（创二八12）。任何人都不可能写出这种记载。按人的历史看，没有人作过这样的梦。但雅各竟看见一个梯子，神的使者在梯子上，上去下来。
除了这些奇妙的项目之外，本章还有其他重要的项目－我们的生活问题。我们传福音的时候，常常有朋友问：“我若相信耶稣，祂会照顾我的生活么？”有些圣徒也问类似的问题。在这段简短的记载里，我们看见神照顾我们的生活。在二十八章十五节主对雅各说，“我也与你同在，你无论往那里去，我必保佑你。”这符合主在马太六章三十三节的话：“你们要先寻求祂的国和祂的义，这一切就都要加给你们了。”我们若寻求神的国，神必照顾我们的生活。马太六章三十三节的加字，含示基本的东西已经赐给我们了，其他的东西不过是加给我们的。我们会看见，神要赐给我们土地、后裔和祝福。此外，神还加上食物、衣服、和其他生活所需要的一切。
在这段经文里，雅各首先找到安息，至终得着应许，可以衣食无虑。人人都在寻找安息。安息总是包含满足。我们若不满足，绝不能安息。每当我们来到主面前，首先得着的，就是安息。我们是孤单、失望的人，不知道往那里去，我们需要安息。我们似乎没有盼望，没有未来，几乎失去了一切，我们渴望安息。为着主的安息赞美主！这安息是在石头上，而这石头正是在神家所在的地方。这里有我们安息的地方。
信息重点：雅各先得着安息，后得着应许。真正的满足不是来自环境改善，而是来自神的同在与神的家。
应用祷告：主，谢谢你是我的安息。无论环境如何，让我在你的家中找到真正的满足与平安。
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From Dust to Stone, Building God’s House (2) — Gen. 28:15
In Genesis 1 and 2 we see that although man was made in the image of God, he was constituted of dust. The image of God is for the expression of God, and dust is obviously unsuitable for expressing God. Therefore there is a need for transformation. Transformation is not merely a change in outward form but a change in nature, for the word “transformation” refers to a metabolic change. We need a change in nature so that our nature and appearance would no longer be of dust. In Genesis 2, man is dust; but in Revelation 21, man is precious stone. In eternity there will be no need for washing. All the dust will be transformed into precious stones.
In Genesis 2 there is a man made of clay; in Genesis 28 we see a man made of clay resting his head on a stone. The Bible is truly written by God. This passage is brief, yet it is important, profound, significant and encompasses the entirety of Scripture. In verse 11, we see the stone Jacob used as a pillow. Everyone knows that a pillow is for resting the head upon. In verse 18, this pillar-stone became a pillar. A pillow is for resting; a pillar is for supporting a building. Galatians 2:9 says that James, Peter and John were pillars of the church. Furthermore, Revelation 3:12 says that the overcomer will be made a pillar in the temple of God. In Genesis 28 there is a stone, a pillow and a pillar. Not only that, but ultimately this pillar became Bethel — God’s house. In this brief passage, we also see a ladder set up on the earth with its top reaching to heaven (Gen. 28:12). No one could have composed such a record. In all of human history, no one has ever had such a dream. Yet Jacob saw a ladder with the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
Beyond these marvelous items, this chapter contains another important matter — the question of our daily life. When we preach the gospel, friends often ask, “If I believe in Jesus, will He take care of my life?” Some believers ask similar questions. In this brief passage, we see that God cares for our daily life. In 28:15, the Lord said to Jacob, “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go.” This corresponds to what the Lord said in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” If we seek God’s kingdom, God will care for our daily life. The word “added” in Matthew 6:33 implies that the essential things have already been given to us, and everything else is simply added. We will see that God gives us land, descendants and blessing. In addition, God adds food, clothing and all the necessities of daily life.
In this passage, Jacob first found rest, and ultimately received the promise, with no lack for clothing and food. Everyone is seeking rest. Rest always includes satisfaction. If we are not satisfied, we absolutely cannot rest. Whenever we come before the Lord, the first thing we receive is rest. We are lonely, despairing people who do not know where to go — we need rest. We seem to have no hope, no future, having lost nearly everything; we long for rest. Praise the Lord for His rest! This rest is upon the stone, and this stone is in the very place where God’s house is. Here is where we find our rest.
Message Focus: Jacob first received rest, then received the promise. True satisfaction does not come from an improvement in circumstances but from God’s presence and God’s house.