No one would have blamed Esau for being angry at Jacob for conning him out of his birthright and later collecting the blessings of that birthright. But Esau’s anger had grown into murderous intent (Genesis 27:41). Thus, assuring that her favourite son would live to see another day, Rebekah sent Jacob north to her brother Laban.
By all appearances Jacob took the journey to Haran alone. It was when stopping for the night at Bethel that he had his famous “Stairway to Heaven” dream (Genesis 28:10-22).
God knew that this young, cunning man was going to have his faith tested beyond his wildest dreams during his two-decade sojourn with his uncle Laban—not to mention having to reengage with his brother on his return home.
God was not going to leave Jacob dreaming in the dark. The dream with angels ascending and descending, and the Lord speaking to him from above, was a heavenly vision of Jacob’s reality under God.
Jacob was “face-to-face” with The God of Abraham and Isaac. The promises of his fathers were his if he made the God of his fathers his. He would father a great nation and occupy the promised land if he walked with God. In this dream God told him, “I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised” (Genesis 28:15).
We too are never alone in our mission.
Since Pentecost, the church is the Israel of God. Jesus had descended to save us and ascended to prepare a place for us. He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell us and guide us.
The same divine Presence is ALWAYS with you and me in Christ as He was with Jacob:
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20).
John Staiger
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