Genesis 28: A Mystical Experience: Stairway to Heaven
A most unusual route
Did Jacob want to obey, or was he forced to obey?
We see, by way of contrast with Esau’s determination to despise spiritual things, that Jacob in the end did choose to obey, even though he was somewhat under pressure to do so. Esau, on the other hand, revealed his utterly rebellious heart.
What about election and faith?
Jacob did not seem like he was one of God’s chosen ones, but God intervened. He was born from above, and his life of faith, though small, began. Election in eternity will be confirmed in time through a spiritual birth and a life of faith.
A pillow for a rock?
Did he dream about whether the promises Isaac mentioned were real or not?
A rock for a pillow did not bring any comfort, but perhaps his desperate situation made him realize that, unless the Lord worked on his behalf, he would be a runaway forever.
Maybe he thought about his parents’ experience and God’s intervention. This is exactly what he needed.
A rock for an altar?
In his dream he saw a ladder reaching into heaven. Yahweh revealed Himself to Jacob. This encounter confirmed what Jacob needed to know, especially about returning to the land of Canaan.
From this experience he promised allegiance to the Lord if he returned. When Jacob did return, he came back here to his spiritual roots (Genesis 35:6–7).
Application
Have you been born from above?
Do you have faith in the God who saves?
