- Scripture: Genesis 27:46–28:22
- The Anchor: “And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!” – Genesis 28:12 (ESV)
Jacob was sent off and told not to marry a Canaanite woman. Esau heard this and also married an Ishmaelite, one of the descendants of Ishmael. Jacob spent the night at a place, and he used a rock as his pillow. God appeared to Jacob in a dream where there was a ladder and the angels were ascending and descending on it. God said that he is the Lord and the God of Abraham and Isaac, and that the Abrahamic Covenant will be fulfilled through Jacob and his offspring. When Jacob arose, he made an altar at the place and called it Bethel, which means House of God. Then Jacob makes a vow with God, saying that if God was with him, then he would honor God as his Lord, and he would tithe.
This relates to John 1:51, where Jesus is talking to Nathanael, saying that he will see greater miracles, like the heavens opening and seeing angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man. This is a parallel to Jacob’s dream. Jesus is the ladder that connects us to God. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus is the door to eternal life with God.
After all the sins that happened in the last few days, God still honors His covenant through Jacob. The birthrights probably didn’t even have anything to do with God fulfilling the covenant through Jacob. God just knew that He would all along.
Jacob makes a man-made vow with God. I can’t even call it a covenant because it’s not a proper Biblical covenant. It’s just Jacob trying to be blessed, which will happen. Jacob expected God to always be at his side and hold his hand for him, but that’s not how God works. Many times, we also expect God to hold our hands through life, but that isn’t the way to grow. God will let go of His hand, and we will go through times of hardship, but that shouldn’t be the limits of our worship. We need to worship God always and forever, through whatever we go through. Don’t expect an easy life. Life will get difficult, but God is always with us whether we see and feel Him or not.
Reflection
- Jesus is the ladder that connects us to God, the way, the truth, and the life. When you are working through your identity or struggling, are you trusting in the door Jesus opened, or trying to build your own way?
- We can expect God to hold our hands through life, but God will let go of His hand so we can go through times of hardship to grow. As you handle hard athletic practices, productive nights, and school tests, is your worship limited by your circumstances, or are you worshiping Him through the difficulties?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for being the ladder that connects me to You and the door to eternal life. Forgive me for expecting an easy life or only worshiping You when things are smooth. Give me the strength to grow through hardships and worship You always and forever, knowing You are with me whether I feel it or not. Amen.