Read Genesis 28:10-22

“Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.”” (Genesis 28:16)

Jacob was blind to God’s presence. But, we cannot miss the context of Jacob’s words because it adds all the significance to this moment. Jacob’s life to this point could be summed up as conniving and ungodly. He was constantly in contention with his older twin brother Esau, for the birthright to God’s inheritance — something which Jacob did not need to fight for since God had already promised to give it to him (see Genesis 25:22-23).

As much as Esau is condemned in Scripture for despising his birthright (see Hebrews 12:16-17), Jacob’s sin was feeling entitled to it. And in his entitlement he strived to take it by force through sinful means.

Sure enough, sin lied at the door for Jacob (with no help of his mother Rachel), and he was overcome by it. In shameless fashion, he lied to his very old and blind father Isaac (read Genesis 27), and though he successfully took the blessing, he did so illegitimately and immorally.

As sure as the Scripture promises our sin will find us out, it was only a matter of moments that Jacob’s sin was found out by his father and his brother Esau. Esau threatened to kill him. The seriousness of Esau’s threat was warranted, and so Jacob runs for his life; runs from his sin; and ultimately runs from God.

It is in this moment, while on the run and neck deep in selfish ambition, that Jacob encounters God unexpectedly and for the first time. Jacob is so taken aback by this encounter that he openly admitted his ignorance — "Surely the LORD is in this place and I did not know it!" His father Isaac may have been physically blind, but Jacob had a much worse blindness. He was spiritually blind.

What a wonder that God had divine plans for Jacob while he was in the womb, and Jacob all the way into his adulthood was still ignorant of the Lord’s presence in his life. How could this be? Wasn’t he the son of Isaac, and the grandson of Abraham? How could he be so blind to the presence and calling of the LORD on his life?

The only answer to that question is sin. Sin is the most dangerous malady to the spiritual eyes — the most severe cause of blinding the heart to God — that one doesn’t know it until God heals the darkened soul and reveals Himself by His Word. Paul calls this “the veil” which “covers the heart.”

“[The Gospel] is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3–4)

But — “…When one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” (2 Corinthians 3:16)

Oh, how very near God is to every soul, but only to those in whom Christ has opened their eyes by the light of the gospel and removed that veil of their heart can they know God has been “in this place” all along.

But let us not be so arrogant to think that we cannot still be blinded by our own sin as Christians. For while we ought to have dominion over sin, we are certainly not immune to it. We must not be like Jacob who ignored God’s promise and suppressed God’s presence by striving in our own fleshly efforts.

We must trust in the cross daily! We must cast off the works of the flesh by the power of the Holy Spirit, lest like Samson, we are lured into the trap of our own indulgence and our spiritual eyes are plucked out.

No wonder Paul constantly warns the church to live in the light of the gospel, and not in the darkness of sin.

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Romans 13:12–14)

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11)

What a tragedy it is when God’s own child must confess as Jacob did, “Surely the Lord was in the place and I did not know it.” Only sin can do this.

Christian, if there is sin your life, lay it at the cross quickly and receive His abounding grace. Don’t let shame or condemnation or despair keep you from surrendering all of your sin at His feet. If He was merciful and gracious to stubborn Israel in their repentance, whom He had only the oath of the Old Covenant, how much more will He show His mercy and grace for you, His child and the bride of His Christ, in the New Covenant?

Christ’s blood was shed for you! You are the righteousness of God in Christ! Your sin shall not separate you from the love of God; only your ability to see it. Don’t be ignorant of His love and presence today. May our confession always be “God was in the place and I knew it!”

“…Lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares [you]… looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of [your] faith…” (Hebrews 12:1–2)