Read Genesis 28:10-22

Jacob’s Ladder

Jacob deceived his father and received the blessing that Isaac intended to give his brother Esau. Moses records, “So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, ‘The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob’” (Genesis 27:41). The twins’ mother is understandably concerned and sends Jacob away to her brother’s house until Esau cools down.

On his journey, Jacob stops to rest and has a vision. “Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it” (Genesis 28:12). Is it not fascinating how God works in the lives of His creation, and we are entirely unaware of the specifics of it? These angels were presumably departing heaven to do the will of God, then returning when their tasks were completed. God was giving Jacob a glimpse into His providence and provision.

God repeated to Jacob the vow that He had made with Abraham and Isaac. The land would be given to Jacob’s descendants, and through his seed all the families of the earth would be blessed. But God adds a little extra to ease the more immediate troubles in Jacob’s mind. This man was on the run from his brother who wanted to kill him. He left his home, his family, and everything he knew. God told Jacob, “Behold, 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 spoken to you” (Genesis 28:15).

God cared about Jacob and told him that He would bring him back home to see his family again. Even though he had done nothing to deserve such love (and who among us has?), Jacob was comforted by Jehovah. He was a swindler and a deceiver, but God had something better in store for Jacob.

We have all done things in our past that we regret. We have all sinned. But God has something better in store for us. He is working in our lives and putting people in place to help us grow closer to Him. Are you listening? Are you verifying the words you hear from others with the Word of God? Are you growing closer to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?