Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. He came to a certain place and stayed there for the night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place. And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood beside him and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring; and your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your offspring. Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!” And he was afraid, and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
Genesis 28:10-19
Each stone beside the highway is your altar. The drooping eaves where sparrows make their nests, abandoned buildings sheltering the swallows: Are these where we recline upon your breast? For we have seen this world is not your kingdom, yet you have raised your altars even here to bear each sacrifice your people bring you and draw each weary trav'ller ever near. Your ladder's lowest rung is on a pebble, a landing place for angels touching down, transforming rocky soil into a temple, and every yard of earth is holy ground. This world is not our home: It is your dwelling where you spread out the refuge of your wings, and in their shadow you have made us welcome, this nest where fledgling sparrows learn to sing. Then may we be at home, Lord, in your shelter and every morning find here mercies new. Spread out your shadow everywhere we venture: Let wand'ring hearts at last find rest in you.
Jacob’s dream by Jusepe De Ribera (Lo Spagnoletto) – https://ES.ArtsDot.com/@@/8LHSSL-Jusepe-De-Ribera-(Lo-Spagnoletto)-Jakobs-Traum, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77003221
Kate Bluett 