Rev. Cyril A. Stevens – Sermon 0179AB recorded on June 4, 1980 teaching from Genesis 28:16 – Surely the Lord is in This Place; and I Knew it Not.
Pastor Cyril A. Stevens explores the life of Jacob to illustrate the profound, lasting impact of a patriarchal blessing on the spiritual and material success of future generations. Stevens breaks down the narrative of Genesis to show that while Jacob used cunning and opportunism to secure his birthright, the subsequent tenfold blessing he received from his father was a divinely sealed decree that governed his destiny. Beyond the historical account, the text serves as a pastoral exhortation for modern parents and grandparents to intentionally pronounce favor over their children, emphasizing that a father’s spiritual authority can steer a family away from discord and toward divine prosperity. By contrasting the broken relationship between Jacob and Esau with modern family dynamics, Stevens argues that the act of blessing is a vital, holy responsibility that establishes a legacy of faithfulness and grace.