Long before the written word, God was at work in this world and making himself known. As he called a people as his own, he revealed more of his character and plans to them. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all encountered God in unique places and ways, and as they did, they marked the encounters by giving a name to the places of God’s revelation.
As we focus on the importance of remembering God and his Word, we will look at how the names of places serve as reminders of God’s work among his people.
The places named by the patriarchs.
Yahweh-Yireh
We know it as Jehovah Jireh from the 1980’s Don Moen praise song, but it comes from the traumatic encounter between Abraham and the Lord on Mount Moriah, as Isaac is lying on the altar, tied by the hands of his father. After the Lord intervenes and stops the knife from its deadly duty, Abraham spots a ram in the thicket and offers it up instead of his son.
And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, so today it is said, “It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.” (Genesis 22:14 CSB)
Rehoboth
Isaac also had a difficult, though not as traumatic of an encounter while living in the land of the Philistines. His encounter was with the herdsmen of Gerar, who kept trying to take over the wells and leaving Isaac’s herds without water. Finally, they found a new spot and dug a well that went unchallenged, so Isaac knew the Lord had provided for his needs by providing an open space for his flocks and herds.
He moved from there and dug another, and they did not quarrel over it. He named it Rehoboth and said, “For now the Lord has made space for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.” (Genesis 26:22)
Bethel
As with his father and grandfather, Jacob also recognized the hand of God in his life. After seeing a vision during the night and receiving the confirmation of God’s covenant, he woke up and wanted to mark the experience by naming the place where he had laid his head.
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” He was afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is! This is none other than the house of God. This is the gate of heaven.” Early in the morning Jacob took the stone that was near his head and set it up as a marker. He poured oil on top of it and named the place Bethel, though previously the city was named Luz. (Genesis 28:16-19)
Mahanaim and Peniel
Jacob had the opportunity to name other places as well during his journey with the Lord, and both are found in the thirty-second chapter of Genesis. While preparing to meet his brother Esau, he was met by God’s angels. So he named the place Two Camps.
When he saw them, Jacob said, “This is God’s camp.” So he called that place Mahanaim. (Genesis 32:2)
And as he nears the reunion point with his brother, in his troubled state, he wrestles with God and finds himself with a dislocated hip. In his struggle, he receives a new name from the Lord—Israel. To mark this amazing encounter, Jacob names the place Face of God or Peniel.
Jacob then named the place Peniel, “For I have seen God face to face,” he said, “yet my life has been spared.” The sun shone on him as he passed by Penuel—limping because of his hip. That is why, still today, the Israelites don’t eat the thigh muscle that is at the hip socket: because he struck Jacob’s hip socket at the thigh muscle. (Genesis 32:30-32)
These places and names are not forgotten, and as they are visited and remembered, so too are the works of God in the lives of his people.
God blesses in the places where his Name is remembered.
These would just be the first few places that held significance because God showed up and did amazing things. If I think of my own life, I can name a place where I was when God spoke to me or confirmed his will for that season of my life. I remember the places where he kept me safe from harm or where I received a clear word from him through a sermon or song.
God has a purpose in wanting us to remember such places. This word to the Israelites gives us insight.
Then the Lord told Moses, “This is what you are to say to the Israelites: You have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven. Do not make gods of silver to rival me; do not make gods of gold for yourselves. “Make an earthen altar for me, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your flocks and herds. I will come to you and bless you in every place where I cause my name to be remembered. (Exodus 20:22-24, emphasis added)
When we remember God and worship him in those places that are unique to our encounters with him, he blesses us. How? By restoring our faith, confirming his promises and word to us, by empowering us with his Holy Spirit, and by strengthening us to persevere in this life.
I may pass the house where we used to live and offer a prayer of thanks to God as it reminds me of his watchcare over our family. As I sit in the chair where I meet daily with God, I call on his Name, knowing he has been faithful to hear my prayers for years from this very chair. When I enter the church’s sanctuary, I wait in expectation of what God will do and say, knowing that God has met me before in this place and will do so again.
In every place where we remember his Name, he will bless.
Grace and Peace
If you missed the last Friday Focus post, click HERE, or start from the Beginning.