Review of Genesis 28

— by Victor Fawole

I welcome everyone to Genesis 28, a chapter that zooms in on the life goings of Jacob. Let’s delve in graciously:

1. JACOB’S DEPARTURE

Gen. 28:1-5 And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother’s father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughers of Laban thy mother’s brother. And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people; And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham. And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.

Isaac must have submitted to God’s will that the older would serve the younger. Jacob (not Esau) is God’s choice (Gen. 25:23). So, he sent Jacob with both blessings and and an instruction to not take a wife from the ungodly daughters of Canaan. Jacob was the chosen one to carry on the seed of the Messiah. He was promised a land, a nation, and a blessing, just as Abraham was promised and was passed on to Isaac.

In Christ, these blessings are extended to us (Gal. 3:29, Rom. 4:16). Hallelujah!

Jacob’s departure from the house was necessary because Esau had plans to kill him once Isaac died (Gen. 27:41). He has had a rough past, but now, God was beginning to deal with him directly, with grace.

2. JACOB’S DREAMS

Gen. 28:11-12 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

Each detail in this dream points to Jesus (John 1:51). The dream symbolized the narrow path through Jesus and the cross. Jacob used a stone as his pillow; we know that Jesus is the cornerstone (1Pet. 2:7). Jesus is the narrow ladder. He is the only way (John 14:6). He is the door to heaven (John 10:7,9; Acts 4:12). There is no relationship between divinity and humanity, between God and man, except the one facilitated through Jesus Christ, for He is the bridge between God and man.

Here are 7 excellent qualities of our Ladder (Christ):

• He is the LIVING LADDER – the Ladder of life – the only way whereby man can have life.
• He is the LOVING LADDER – whose atoning sacrifice is motivated by love (1John 4:10)
• He is the LARGE LADDER – for there is enough room for as many would come. He is available to everyone, everywhere.
• He is the LINKING LADDER – for the Son of God became the Son of man so that sons of men may become sons of God.
• He is the LIBERATING LADDER – for He is our Deliverer from the horror of sin and from the wrath to come.
• He is the LOFTY LADDER – so long enough to guarantee us security and undeniable entrance into heaven.
• He is the LASTING LADDER – everlasting and never-lagging.

Although Jacob was lonely, scared, guilt-stricken, and weary, yet God showed Him salvation. He received mercy and grace. What an encounter! God deals with us in grace. God saved us! He initiated our salvation and invited us into the salvation. Hallelujah!

3. JACOB’S DEVOTION

Gen. 28:18-19 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.

Jacob’s response to God’s revelation and promises is probably the first commendable thing he did in his life. He had faith in God’s promise. He worshipped God and reared an altar. What a transformation grace creates in our lives!

He then went on to make a vow. For better understanding of this vow and its connection with the law of tithing, I recommend that you listen to Pastor Dammy’s sermon titled: Tithing & The Believer — Part 3

Dear Gogolights, I charge you this day that you never relent in telling people about the only Ladder to eternal rest and bliss – Jesus Christ our Saviour. There is enough room for as many people as possible. He is the only ladder to heaven!

Grace to you, Church!