Genesis 28
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Jacob had to leave. Far away from home. His father Isaac hugged him. "Go, my boy," said Isaac. "God will bless you."
So Jacob started walking. All alone. The sun was hot. His feet were tired. He walked and walked and walked.
Then the sun went down. It got dark. Very dark. Jacob had no bed. He had no pillow. He had no house.
What did Jacob do? He found a stone. A big, hard stone. He put it under his head. And he lay down on the ground.
Poor Jacob. All alone under the stars.
What Does This Mean?
Jacob fell asleep. And then… then he had a dream. A very special dream!
Jacob saw a big stairway. It went up, and up, and up. All the way to heaven! And on the stairway walked angels. Shining angels. They went up. They came down. Up and down, up and down.
And at the very top stood God. God Himself!
God spoke to Jacob. His voice was kind. "Jacob," said God. "I am here. I am with you. I will take care of you. Wherever you go, I will go with you. I will bring you home again."
Jacob woke up. His eyes were big. His heart went bump, bump, bump.
"God is here!" said Jacob. "God is in this place! And I did not even know it!"
The Common Thread
Jacob picked up his stone. The very same stone he had slept on. He stood it up straight. And he called that place Bethel. That means: house of God.
Do you know what is so wonderful? God came to Jacob. Jacob did not have to climb the stairway. God came down. God spoke first.
God still does that. God came all the way down to us. He sent Jesus. Jesus is like that stairway, from heaven to earth. Through Jesus we can know God. Through Jesus, heaven comes close.
For You
Jacob thought he was all alone. But he was not alone. God was there.
Sometimes you might feel a little alone. Maybe in your bed at night. Maybe when it is dark. Maybe when Mama or Papa is not there for a moment.
But listen! God said to Jacob: "I am with you." And God says that to you too. When you sleep, God is there. When you play, God is there. When you eat your bread, God is there.
You cannot see God. Jacob could not see Him either. But God is close. Closer than you think.
Maybe you can whisper it before bed. "God, You are here." Just like Jacob did.
Talk About It
Where was Jacob when he had his dream? Was he alone?
God said to Jacob: "I am with you." Where are you when God is with you?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You that You are here. When it is light, You are here. When it is dark, You are here. Thank You that I am never alone. You are my good God.
Amen.
Questions about Genesis 28
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Genesis 28 about?
What does Genesis 28 say?
What does Genesis 28 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Genesis 28?
Why is Genesis 28 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Esau saw that his father was displeased, so he went and married again. "Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son." Not repentance, just an adjustment. And notice where he went: to Ishmael, the other son who was passed over. Rejection found rejection. We do this too, adding something outward and hoping it counts as a changed heart. What have you added lately, instead of opening?
Jacob has one stone for a pillow and one direction he cares about: away from Esau. Yet God says, "you will spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south." A runaway with nothing hears about a family too many to count. God spoke this over him before he had changed one thing about himself.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
Philippines
Nigeria
Zimbabwe
India
Zambia
South Africa
Malawi
Indonesia
Kenya
DR Congo
Ghana
Nepal
Cameroon
Mozambique
Benin
Liberia
Pakistan
