Genesis 28:15 - Jacob's Dream - Jacob's Ladder.
Genesis 28:15; Jacob's Dream - Jacob's Ladder.
Genesis 28:15 (NIV) I am with you and will watch over you
wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave
you until I have done what I have promised you."
Genesis 28:15 (NLT) What's more, I will be with you, and I will
protect you wherever you go. I will someday bring you safely back to
this land. I will be with you constantly until I have finished giving
you everything I have promised."
WORD STUDY
I will be with you. God's promise to be a sustainer and
protector of his people is repeated often. [NIV SB re vs 26:3]
OVERVIEW
A night of discovery (10-15). Jacob was literally between a rock
and a hard place. But that night, Jacob made several discoveries
that helped to change his life. He discovered that God was with him
and working for him and had a perfect plan for his life. Jacob may
have been separated from home, but he was not separated from heaven.
(See John 1:51.) The very angels of God were caring for him (Heb.
1:13-14). "When the night is the darkest, you see the stars the
brightest." [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe]
APPLICATION COMMENTARY
As Jacob lay there, weary, lonely, and sad, his heart turned in
prayer to God (PP 183). Such was the mental background of his dream.
Only after two long days, during which he had opportunity to reflect
upon his course of action and to realize his own helplessness, did
God appear to him. In the providence of God, delay is often the
means used to purify the soul and lead a man to cast himself without
reserve upon God's mercy and grace (see DA 200, 380-382). The ladder was
a visible symbol of the real and uninterrupted fellowship between
God in heaven and His people upon earth. The angels ascend to
present men's needs before God, and descend with promises of divine
assistance and protection. The ladder appeared to rest upon the earth,
where Jacob lay, alone, destitute, and forsaken by men. Above, in
heaven, stood Jehovah. Proclaiming Himself to Jacob as the God of his
fathers, He not only confirmed to him all the promises made to his
fathers--the possession of Canaan, a numerous offspring, and blessing to all
men--but vouchsafed to him protection on his journey and a safe return
home. Since the fulfillment of this promise to Jacob was still afar
off, God added the firm assurance, "I will not leave thee, until I
have done that which I have spoken to thee of." [SDA Commentary re vs
12]
Because man fallen could not overcome Satan with his human
strength, Christ came from the royal courts of heaven to help him with His
human and divine strength combined. Christ knew that Adam in Eden,
with his superior advantages, might have withstood the temptations of
Satan, and conquered him. He also knew that it was not possible for
man, out of Eden, separated from the light and love of God since the
Fall, to resist the temptations of Satan in his own strength. In order
to bring hope to man, and save him from complete ruin, He humbled
Himself to take man's nature, that, with His divine power combined with
the human, He might reach man where he is. He obtains for the fallen
sons and daughters of Adam that strength which it is impossible for
them to gain for themselves, that in His name they may overcome the
temptations of Satan. {1SM 279.2}
The exalted Son of God in assuming humanity draws Himself nearer
to man by standing as the sinner's substitute. He identifies
Himself with the sufferings and afflictions of men. He was tempted in
all points as man is tempted, that He might know how to succor those
who should be tempted. Christ overcame on the sinner's behalf. {1SM
279.3}
Jacob, in the night vision, saw earth connected with heaven by a
ladder reaching to the throne of God. He saw the angels of God, clothed
with garments of heavenly brightness, passing down from heaven and up
to heaven upon this shining ladder. The bottom of this ladder
rested upon the earth, while the top of it reached to the highest
heavens, and rested upon the throne of Jehovah. The brightness from the
throne of God beamed down upon this ladder, and reflected a light of
inexpressible glory upon the earth. {1SM 279.4}
This ladder represented Christ, who had opened the communication
between earth and heaven. In Christ's humiliation He descended to the
very depth of human woe in sympathy and pity for fallen man, which
was represented to Jacob by one end of the ladder resting upon the
earth, while the top of the ladder, reaching unto heaven, represents
the divine power of Christ, who grasps the Infinite, and thus links
earth to heaven and finite man to the infinite God. Through Christ the
communication is opened between God and man. Angels may pass from heaven to
earth with messages of love to fallen man, and to minister unto those
who shall be heirs of salvation. It is through Christ alone that the
heavenly messengers minister to men. {1SM 280.1}
I have heard those who have been in the faith for years, say
that they used to be able to endure trial and difficulty, but since
the infirmities of age began to press upon them, they had been
greatly distressed when brought under discipline. What does this mean?
Does it mean that Jesus has ceased to be your Saviour? Does it mean
that when you are old and gray-headed, you are privileged to display
unholy passion? Think of this. You should use your reasoning powers in
this matter, as you do in temporal things. You should deny self, and
make your service to God the first business of your life. You must
not permit anything to disturb your peace. There is no need of it;
there must be a constant growth, a constant progress in the divine
life. {2SM 222.1}
Christ is the ladder that Jacob saw, whose base rests upon the
earth, and whose topmost round reaches into the highest heaven; and
round after round, you must mount this ladder until you reach the
everlasting kingdom. There is no excuse for becoming more like Satan, more
like human nature. God has set before us the height of the
Christian's privilege, and it is "to be strengthened with might by his
Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;
that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend
with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and
height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye
might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Ephesians 3:16-19).--The
Review and Herald, Oct. 1, 1889. {2SM 222.2}
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
God's covenant promise to Abraham and Isaac was offered to Jacob
as well. But it was not enough to be Abraham's grandson; Jacob had
to establish his own personal relationship with God. God has no
grandchildren; each of us must have a personal relationship with him. It is not
enough to hear wonderful stories about Christians in your family. You
need to become part of the story yourself (see Galatians 3:6,7).
[Life Application SB]
Jacob had seen the importance of a relationship with God in his
father Isaac's experience. He had been aware of the value of the
spiritual. Now, however, Jacob himself had a personal experience with the
LORD.
At Bethel (which means "house of God") the LORD confirmed
transmission of the Abrahamic Covenant to Jacob (vv. 13-15; cf. 12:1-3, 7).
Jacob's words, "If God will be with me" (28:20-22), are not a bargain
struck with God. They are instead a faith response to God. Since God
has committed Himself to Jacob and will surely carry out His
promises, then Jacob will be committed to the LORD.
Jacob's words are significant to us in two ways. First, Jacob
shows us the basic benefits of a personal relationship with God (vv.
20-21). God is with us. He watches over us on our life journey. He
provides the basic necessities. He gives us others with whom we can have
a family relationship. Second, Jacob shows us the basic response
that is appropriate. We honor the LORD as God. We set aside times and
places to worship Him. And we express our commitment by giving. [The
365-Day Devotional Commentary]
|
|
