October 8, 2024
Jacob's Ladder - Part 2
Genesis 28:12
10/08/2024
12 And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set
up on the earth, and the top of it reached to
heaven. And behold, the angels of God were
ascending and descending on it! (ESV)
An old Spiritual hymn is based on the story of Jacob as he
fled from his enraged brother, Esau. The first verse of the hymn
says:
We are climbing Jacob's ladder,
We are climbing Jacob's ladder,
We are climbing Jacob's ladder,
Soldiers of the cross.[1]
Moses recorded Jacob's vision:
And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up
on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And
behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending
on it!
Immediately we see a disconnect between the song and the
Biblical account. Jacob was asleep. In the vision, angels, the
messengers of God, ascended and descended from heaven to earth to
do as God commanded. They bring hope to those who believe in the
God of Abraham, they help protect the Church, they proclaim God's
glory.
We are not on the ladder ascending to heaven. That would
make heaven a reward for hard work, for our efforts. But our
salvation from sin and eternal death is a gift, announced by
God's messengers, given to us out of His love, grace, and mercy.
Tomorrow we will discover more about this vision, the hope
it gave to Jacob, and the comfort it brings to each person.
May our Lord grant us faith to hear, learn, and trust in His
Word alone. Amen.
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1. https://hymnary.org/text/we_are_climbing_jacobs_ladder_we_are_cli/fulltexts