Enroute to Haran, running away from his brother Esau, whom he had deceived, Jacob comes to a certain place where he stayed for the night as the sun had set. He took the stones of that place and used them as pillows and lay down to sleep. And in his dream, he saw a ladder set up on the earth reaching into heaven and saw the angels of God ascending and descending on it and on the top of the ladder, he saw the Lord standing. The Lord said “I am the Lord God of Abraham, your father and the God of Isaac and the land where you lay, I will give to you and to your seed. Your seed shall be numerous, as the dust of the earth and you shall spread in all directions (west, east, north and south) and in you and in your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” Then the Lord assured Jacob that he was with Jacob (i.e., will be present with Jacob), and would never leave him, and will keep him in all places where he goes (i.e., will preserve and protect Jacob), and will bring Jacob into this land (i.e., will provide for Jacob) until all that the Lord had promised would come to pass. (Genesis 28:10-15).
First, note that Jacob who was the grandson of Abraham is referred to here as the child of Abraham. Second, it is important to note that God’s presence, preservation, protection and provision was assured to Jacob along with a blessing that Jacob and his seed would be a blessing to all the families of the earth.
Points to ponder:
First, all who are of the faith, who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord, Savior and King are referred to as children of Abraham (Galatians 3:7). Second, God’s promise of his presence, preservation, protection and provisions is for all who are Abraham’s children. He blessed those who believe in him, to be a blessing to others and expects that through us and our children, all families of the earth shall be blessed. Question: Are you and I who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ a blessing to others? Are the families of the earth blessed on account of us?
Genesis 28:10-15 (KJV)
10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.
11 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.
12 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.
13 And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
