Coachlight Bible Study – Genesis Lesson 38

God Preaches The Gospel To Jacob – Genesis Chapters 27-28

 

God’s Word is the only true authority in this world.  (II Peter 1:19-21).  It is often taken out of context, or interpreted with a biased opinion, but these acts will never change the fact that Scripture alone is the authority.  The authority rests in what Scripture means, not what we think it should mean.  God’s Word tells us that we should not live our lives by a set of laws, Even God’s holy Law: but rather to walk in the Spirit.

 

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: {for sin: or, by a sacrifice for sin}

Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

 

Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Galatians 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Galatians 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

 

Why doesn’t God want His people to live by a set of laws?  This lesson should show us that even if a person could follow the law, which they can not, the proper motive may not be there, making the whole attempt of no use. Take, for example: “Thou shalt not kill”.  Some times killing is the right thing to do.  Self defense is an example.  Even in the Law, God provided sanctuary cities for people who killed in self defense.  Did not God, from time to time, command His people to kill others in war?  This, of course, was performed with the intention of performing God’s will.

Is God’s will important?  Look what Christ said about it:

 

Matthew 12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

Matthew 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

 

How Could God love Jacob?

 

It has long been a question in my mind, “How God could use Jacob for carrying out God’s will and purpose in maintaining the Messianic Line?”.  In other words, Jacob had seemed to be a schemer, a liar, and a deceiver to me.  Why his very name means “heel catcher” and by extension “One who trips the other by the heel”.  In terms of a foot race, this name became by extension, “taking the place of or supplanting the one tripped.”

I used to think of Jacob as being shroud, crafty, covetous, and having a great lack of scruples.  He seemed to me as one being driven by his own desires.  Little did I know that it was his brother, Esau, who perfectly fit those characteristics.

This deduction on my part came by the first Bible I owned.  In the story of Jacob, the Scofield Bible has titles such as: “The Stolen Blessing”, and “Jacob Reaps the Harvest of his evil years.”  These, of course, are statements of moral judgments that are not found in the Bible.

In my state of “walking in the flesh”, Esau seemed to be the better choice for God.  Esau seemed to have a stronger character and was a stronger man.  Esau was an outdoorsman and would seem to be a better head of a new nation than his brother Jacob.  I was wrong, however, and God’s judgment on Jacob is expressed in the Bible:

 

Genesis 32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

 

The study of Esau and Jacob has strengthened in me that all authority in this earth is in the Bible, or better said, “What God says is the authority, not what we think He should have said.”

 

Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

 

One may say that in defending Jacob that I am condoning lying and deception.  That, of course, is not my intention, but we have to keep one fact in mind as we interpret Scripture.  This fact is that never in Scripture is Jacob chastened or rebuked, except from the mouths of Laban and Esau. The Bible must be the final authority if we are to be God’s people.

 

Malachi 1:2 …… Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,  Malachi 1:3  And I hated Esau, ….

I. The Messianic Line Established Through Jacob Before His Birth

 

Genesis 25:21 And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Genesis 25:22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.

Genesis 25:23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

Genesis 25:24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

Genesis 25:25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.

Genesis 25:26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.

Genesis 25:27 And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.

 

A. Rebekah Was Barren

B. Jacob Entreated The Lord For His Wife

C. God Said To Rebekah:

1. There are two nations in your womb

2. Two kinds of people will be born

a. One will be stronger than the other

b. The elder will serve the younger

B. Comparison Of The Two Nations

 

Esau

Jacob

“Red all over like a hairy garment”

“His hand took hold of Esau’s heel”

“A Cunning hunter”

“A plain man” (Lit “perfect” or “complete”

“A man of the field”

“Dwelling in tents”

Sells his birthright and despised it

Desires the birthright and the blessing

Disregards family and God – Marries Canaanite brides

Obeys his parents – Goes to Haran to seek a bride

 

C. Partiality Or Favoritism In The Family

 

Genesis 25:28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. {he…: Heb. venison was in his mouth}

 

1. Isaac loved Esau for the venison, regardless of God’s Word

2. Rebekah loved Jacob – Probably because of God’s Word

 

 

II. Esau Sells His Birthright

 

Genesis 25:29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:

Genesis 25:30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. {with…: Heb. with that red, with that red pottage} {Edom: that is Red}

Genesis 25:31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

Genesis 25:32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? {at…: Heb. going to die}

Genesis 25:33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

 

A. Esau’s Mindset Was On The Physical Or Here And Now

1. His hunting had tired him

2. His “walking in the flesh logic would dictate:

“I am at the point to die: and what profit shall the birthright do to me”

3. Esau despised his birthright because the “here and now” was more important to him than the things of the Spirit.

B. Jacob’s Mindset Was On The Birthright And The Blessing

 

III. Esau’s Mindset Further Revealed

 

Genesis 26:34 And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:

Genesis 26:35 Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.

 

A. Esau’s Mindset Again On His Desire For A Wife And Kids – Not God’s Word

B. Conceited Esau Completely Disregarded God’s Word and His Family

1. Remember the pains Abraham took to insure Isaac did not marry the “daughters of the Canaanite”

2. This act on behalf of Esau grieved Isaac and Rebekah

 

IV. Isaac Demonstrates Disregard For God’s Word

 

Genesis 27:1 And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.

Genesis 27:2 And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:

Genesis 27:3 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison; {take: Heb. hunt}

Genesis 27:4 And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.

 

A. Isaac Is Old And Blind

B. Isaac’s Old Age Mindset Is Definitely On The Things Of The Flesh

1. His heart’s desire is Esau’s venison

2. He is willing to disregard God’s Word and pronounce the blessing on Esau

 

V. Rebekah Had Heard Isaac

 

Genesis 27:5 And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.

 

VI. Rebekah’s Plan To Keep Isaac From Thwarting God’s Word

 

Genesis 27:6 And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,

Genesis 27:7 Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death.

Genesis 27:8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.

Genesis 27:9 Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:

Genesis 27:10 And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.

 

A. Jacob Was To Get Two Kids From The Flock Of Goats

B. Rebekah Was Going To make “Savory Meat” from the goats

C. Jacob Is To Present The Meat To Isaac To Receive The Blessing

 

VII. Jacob’s Old Age Mindset Demonstrated

 

Genesis 27:11 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:

Genesis 27:12 My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.

 

A. Jacob Compares Himself To His Brother

B. Jacob Is Concerned His Father Will Think Of Him As A Deceiver – (Tam - Lit “Mocker)

C. Jacob’s Mindset Is Definitely On The Inheritance – Not The Here And Now

1. Jacob wanted The Blessing

2. Jacob did not want his father to curse him as a mocker

 

VIII. Rebekah Reassures Jacob – She Would Take The curse

 

Genesis 27:13 And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.

Genesis 27:14 And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.

Genesis 27:15 And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son: {goodly: Heb. desirable}

Genesis 27:16 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:

Genesis 27:17 And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

 

IX. Rebekah’s Plan Carried Out

 

Genesis 27:18 And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son?

Genesis 27:19 And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.

Genesis 27:20 And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the LORD thy God brought it to me.

Genesis 27:21 And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.

Genesis 27:22 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.

Genesis 27:23 And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him.

Genesis 27:24 And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.

Genesis 27:25 And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank.

Genesis 27:26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.

Genesis 27:27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:

 

A. Jacob Deceives His Father

B. Some Of Jacob’s Statements To Isaac Were Blatantly False

1. “I am Esau thy firstborn” (Verse 19)

2. “Because the Lord thy God brought it to me” (Verse 20)

C. But God Never Rebuked Jacob For This Act Of Deception

D. Why Is It That God Later Confirmed The Blessing?

 

Genesis 28:13 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;

Genesis 28:14 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. {spread…: Heb. break forth}

Genesis 28:15 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.

 

E. Are There Other Instances Of People Lying To Further God’s Purpose?

 

1. God Blessing A Lie Is Also Found In Exodus concerning the Hebrew midwives:

 

Exodus 1:15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:

Exodus 1:16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.

Exodus 1:17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

Exodus 1:18 And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?

Exodus 1:19 And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.

Exodus 1:20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.

 

2. Again God Blesses A Lie – Rahab preserved after hiding two spies

 

Joshua 2:3 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.

Joshua 2:4 And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:

Joshua 2:5 And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.

Joshua 2:6 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.

Joshua 6:25 And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

 

F. This Is Not Meant To Condone Sin

1. These examples are rare exceptions to the rule

2. None of these Scriptural examples show the desire for some temporal advantage

a. The midwives risked their lives by their deceptions

b. Rahab risked her life by her deception

c. Both would seem to have been better off, temporally speaking, to tell the truth

G. In the Same Way, Jacob And Rebekah Performed Their “Deception”

1. Jacob and Rebekah risked the wrath and hatred of loved ones

2. This was in no means a temporal advantage – In fact caused much anguish

3. This did accomplish God’s purpose

4. This did save Esau and Isaac for going against God’s judgment

 

X. Isaac Pronounces A Blessing Intended To Go Against God’s Word

 

Genesis 27:26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.

Genesis 27:27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:

Genesis 27:28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:

Genesis 27:29 Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

 

A. The Blessing

1. God give you of the dew of heaven

2. God give thee of the fatness of the earth

3. God give thee plenty of corn and wine

4. Let people serve thee

5. Let nations bow down to thee

6. Be thou lord over thy brethren – Directly against god’s word

7. Cursed be every one that curses thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee

B. Isaac Pronounced the Blessing by the Inspiration of God – While Intending to Thwart God’s Will

C. Is There Other Examples Of People Under The Inspiration Of god Pronouncing God’s Word Against Their Own Will?

1. Balaam was forced to bless Israel against his will

 

Numbers 23:11 And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.

Numbers 23:12 And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?

 

2. The High Priest Spoke of the importance of Christ’s death, even though he did not know the entire impact

 

John 11:49  And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

John 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

John 11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

John 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

 

XI. Esau Returns – Trembling And Tears

 

Genesis 27:30 And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.

Genesis 27:31 And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that thy soul may bless me.

Genesis 27:32 And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau.

Genesis 27:33 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed. {trembled…: Heb. trembled with a great trembling greatly} {taken: Heb. hunted}

Genesis 27:34 And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.

Genesis 27:35 And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.

Genesis 27:36 And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?

Genesis 27:37  And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son? {sustained: or, supported}

Genesis 27:38 And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

Genesis 27:39 And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; {the fatness: or, of the fatness}

Genesis 27:40 And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

 

A. Esau Realises What Has Transpired – He Wept (Vs. 38)

B. Isaac Realises What Has Happened – Trembled Very Exceedingly

C. Esau Reluctantly Admits:

1. He had already sold his birthright to Jacob

2. Jacob, like his name, had supplanted him with the inheritance

XII. Isaac’s And Rebekah’s Plan For Jacob

 

Genesis 27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

Genesis 27:42 And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee.

Genesis 27:43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;

Genesis 27:44 And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother’s fury turn away;

Genesis 27:45 Until thy brother’s anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?

Genesis 27:46 And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?

Genesis 28:1 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.

Genesis 28:2 Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother’s father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother’s brother.

 

A. Esau Hates Jacob

B. Rebekah Tells Jacob To Go To Laban’s house To Escape Esau’s Wrath

C. Rebekah Tells Isaac She Does Not Want Jacob To Marry Canaanites

D. Isaac Tells Jacob Not To Marry Of The “Daughters of Canaan

E. Jacob To Go To Laban’s House To Seek A Bride

 

XII. Isaac Repents – Pronounces The Proper Blessing On Jacob

 

Genesis 28:3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people; {a multitude…: Heb. an assembly of people}

Genesis 28:4 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. {wherein…: Heb. of thy sojournings}

Genesis 28:5 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.

 

A. God Almighty Bless Thee

B. God Almighty Make Thee Fruitful And Multiply Thee –

“That Thou Mayest Be A Multitude Of People”

C. God Almighty Give Thee The Blessing Of Abraham and To Thy Seed

D. That Thou Must Inherit The Land Wherein Thou Art A Stranger which God Gave To Abraham

 

XIII. Esau Realizes He Has Gone Against Family And god – But Doesn’t Get It

 

Genesis 28:6 When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;

Genesis 28:7 And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padanaram;

Genesis 28:8 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father; {pleased…: Heb. were evil in the eyes, etc}

Genesis 28:9 Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife. {Mahalath: or, Bashemath}

 

XIV. God Appears To Jacob – The Dream

 

Genesis 28:10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. Genesis 28:11 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.

Genesis 28:12 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.

Genesis 28:13 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;

Genesis 28:14 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.

Genesis 28:15 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.

 

A. Jacob Set Out North, Traveling Light

1. He was all alone

2. He had no caravan to supply his needs

3. He was not an avid hunter as his brother

4. Probably Rebekah had packed some things for him

5. Jacob didn’t even have a tent

6. Jacob used rocks for a pillow

B. Jacob Dreams

1. A Ladder was set up on earth

2. The top of the ladder reached to heaven

3. The angels of God were descending and ascending on the ladder

C. The Lord Stands Above The Ladder

1. He said, “I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father and the God of Isaac:”

2. The Lord will give to Jacob and his seed the land in which Jacob liest

3. Your seed will be as the dust of the earth And spread abroad

4. In thy seed shall all the earth be blessed

5. The Lord will be with Jacob

a. The Lord will keep Jacob as he travels

b. The Lord will bring him back to this land

 

XIV. Jacob Wakes From His Dream

 

Genesis 28:16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.

Genesis 28:17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

Genesis 28:18 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.

Genesis 28:19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. {Bethel: that is, The house of God}

Genesis 28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

Genesis 28:21 So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:

Genesis 28:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

 

XV. The Meaning Of The Dream

A. Jacob’s Ladder Was No Ordinary Ladder

1. The Ladder Pictured The Inter relationships between earth and heaven

2. It pictured the great interest of heaven in the happenings of earth

3. It pictured multitudes of God’s messengers carrying out God’s commands

4. They then returned to heaven with their reports receiving further instructions

B. These Messengers are Normally invisible to humans

1. There are an innumerable company of angels at God’s Throne

 

Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

 

2. Angels do His commandments

 

Psalm 103:20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. {that excel…: Heb. mighty in strength}

 

 

3. Angels are ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation

 

Hebrews 1:13  But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

 

4. Angels are interest in God’s people working out their salvation

 

Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

 

Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

 

I Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

 

C. Christ Explains The Meaning Of The Dream Almost 2000 Years Later:

 

John 1:43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

John 1:44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

John 1:45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

John 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

John 1:48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

John 1:50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

John 1:51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

 

 

 

 

D. Christ Is Jacob’s Ladder

 

Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. {captivity…: or, a multitude of captives}

Ephesians 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

Ephesians 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) {fill: or, fulfil}

 

E. In Adam we learned that sin separated mankind from God

F. God knew this before it happened and made His Plan before creating the earth

G. This Mystery of God’s Eternal Purpose is revealed in the New Testament:

 

Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, {afore…: or, a little before}

Ephesians 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Ephesians 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Ephesians 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Ephesians 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: