Genesis 28:10-17
“Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord, and he said: ‘I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 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.’ When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.’ He was afraid and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.’” Genesis 28:10-17 (NIV)
Fear. Exhaustion. Vulnerability. I’m sure those are just a few things Jacob felt while fleeing from his fraternal twin, Esau, who wanted to kill Jacob for stealing his birthright. Then Jacob lays his head down, dreams the famous dream, and awakes feeling divinely protected.
Have you had a time in your life when God sent a sign or communicated with you in some form? I have. One in particular gives me chills to this day. It was clear enough to make me never doubt Him again… similar to Jacob’s change of heart. Perhaps I’ll share it in a separate devotion when I’m ready. But for now, let’s reflect on the gift of reassurance and peace God gave Jacob during an incredibly trying time.
Questions for Reflection:
- How did this dream change Jacob?
- What do you think might have happened to Jacob had God not intervened?
Prayer:
Thank you for Jacob’s ladder and the open channel of communication that it represents. We thank you for your omnipresence, your protection, and your commitment to our well-being and futures. Amen.
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