Admittedly, page after page of the Bible reveals something I do not understand. In Genesis 28, Jacob fled from his home and his angry brother, Esau. On the journey, he rested for the night, where God revealed himself to Jacob through a dream featuring a stairway to heaven.

In the midst of this fascinating story I got stuck on Jacob’s choice for a pillow – a stone. Why choose a stone to place under his head? Why not an extra blanket or robe? Apparently, head-resting objects of metal, from that era, have been unearthed in Egypt. So, Jacob rested as was normal in his day – on the ground with a hard object to cradle his head. Who knew?

In the broader picture, the stone under Jacob’s head became an alter, the place Jacob slept became a shrine, and Jacob himself transformed from fugitive to pilgrim – God in his grace revealed himself to Jacob.*

* Thank you to Allen P. Ross for this insight, found in his wonderful commentary on Genesis, Creation & Blessing.

Week three of reading the Bible cover to cover.