Jacob leaves Beersheba and journeys toward Haran. On the way, he decides to rest for the night at a certain place. He takes a Stone and uses it as his pillow.

When he falls asleep, he sees a vision. There appears before him a ladder. He sees the angels of God going up and down on that ladder. He also sees God standing beside him. God reassures him. God tells him that He is the God of Abraham and Isaac. He will give Jacob the ground where he is lying to him and to his descendants. God also announces that Jacob’s descendants will multiply and become plentiful like the dust on the ground. And Jacob will spread out to all the four directions. God also promises his safety. He will be with Jacob. God will protect Jacob wherever he goes and will bring him back to this country. God will never leave Jacob until He fulfills his promise toward him.

At this, Jacob wakes up from his sleep. He feels that God is there and he didn’t know of it. The awareness scares him and exclaims how awed the place is. He feels sure that the place is the gate of heaven.

Next day at dawn, Jacob takes the stone he used as his pillow. He makes it a pillar and pours oil on it. He names the place Bethel. Earlier it was called Luz.

He also makes a vow. If God brings him back to this place safely, if God gives him food and clothing, if God lets him come home safely to his father, He will be his God.

Jacob will make this stone the house of God. He will also give a tenth of everything he receives from God.