When Jacob fled after usurping his brother Esau's blessing (Genesis 27 and Genesis 28), he did so under the covenant covering of his earthly father, Isaac. Once in Padan Aram, where Laban lived, GOD gives Jacob a dream in which there is the ladder of GOD (Genesis 28.12-15). The Angels of GOD move freely between Heaven and Earth. At the top of the ladder, GOD reveals HIMSELF to Jacob as the Covenant GOD of, or, belonging to/worshipped by, his Grandfather (Abraham) and his Father (Isaac).
While Jacob acknowledges GOD because of what GOD revealed and promised in the dream (Genesis 28.16-19), Jacob has not yet claimed this GOD, the ALMIGHTY GOD, as his own.
Jacob makes a vow unto the LORD, GOD ALMIGHTY, to worship HIM if GOD will be with him provide for him, and protect him throughout the next season of his life (Genesis 28.21-22). As we now know, out of that season, the tribes of Israel were born.
6 Important Things You Need To Know About Jacob's Ladder (The Dream GOD Gave To Jacob)
1. The dream was yet another instance of GOD revealing HIMSELF to men (humans), in this case, to Jacob (son of Isaac).
2. Cullam (pronounced sool-lawm) is the Hebrew word for ladder or stairway (Strong's Number 5551).
3. The ladders and gates of GOD are places where GOD has created spiritual, obstruction-free access to HEAVEN from Earth. HE literally opens Heaven up to us. These passageways are not only symbolic, they were and are real. In order for us to be able to accomplish the purpose for which were were created (as a human race), GOD has to provide us access to Heaven...access to HIMSELF. HE created us for collaboration, so HE has to also facilitate that process by virtue of HIS Covenant. HE created us to reveal HIS Heavenly Kingdom on Earth, and to reign with HIM in it. HE employs angels to assist HIM and us in the accomplishment of HIS Holy Purpose, as evidenced by the angels moving between Heaven and Earth on the ladder.
4. Today, whatever date of today might be, there are still ladders of GOD in every place on Earth where there is a person, or a people, who are in covenant with GOD. Who understand the significant and holy nature of the Covenant. Who have forsaken their own earthly (sinful) wills and desires. Who have voluntarily chosen to take on GOD'S Will instead. Who are fearless in their ability to walk out the Covenant in the sight of GOD and man to manifest GOD'S Kingdom on Earth. Just one person or just one people (nation) who Covenant with GOD to conquer, to cure, and to consecrate HIS Land as Holy.
5. GOD reiterates to Jacob the very same promise that HE originally gave to Abraham (Genesis 28.13-15) in the dream. It is GOD'S formal Invitation to Jacob to enter into Covenant with HIM.
6. Jacob agrees to the terms of the Invitation as demonstrated by: his acknowledging (Genesis 28.16-17), his anointing (Genesis 28.18), his ascribing (Genesis 28.19), and his avowing (Genesis 28.20-22).
BUT, although Jacob has given his word to the LORD to enter into Covenant with HIM, Jacob is first waiting on GOD to perform HIS Word (as we all too often do today rather than just taking GOD at HIS WORD). Therefore, the Covenant is not yet in place.
How do we know when the Covenant between GOD and Jacob takes effect?
6 Scriptural Evidences That Jacob Had Not Yet Fulfilled His Vow To The LORD To Enter Into A Personal Covenant Relationship With HIM
In these verses, it is evident hat Jacob has not fulfilled his vow to the LORD because he still refers to GOD as "the GOD of my father". Jacob has no personal relationship with GOD yet, he his being blessed on the basis of the Covenant relationship that Abraham and Isaac had with GOD.)
GOD blessed Jacob and he can bless us on the basis of a personal Covenant of someone in our spiritual lineage. GOD'S preference and desire, however, is that each and every one of us has a personal relationship with HIM.
1. Genesis 28.20-22 (Vow made)
2. Genesis 31.5 (Jacob refers to GOD as the GOD of my father)
3. Genesis 31.13 (GOD reminds Jacob of WHO HE IS and that he made a vow to HIM)
4. Genesis 31.21 (Jacob is in Mount Gilead instead of Gerar where GOD had instructed him to go)
5. Genesis 31.52 (Jacob refers to GOD as the GOD of my father)
6. Genesis 32.9 (Jacob refers to GOD as the GOD of my father)
12 Events Leading Up To the Sealing Of The Covenant Between GOD and Jacob (Father of the 12 Tribes of Israel)
1. Isaac blesses Jacob, his 2nd son, instead of Esau, his firstborn (Genesis 27 and 28).
2. GOD reveals HIMSELF and gives Jacob a personal invitation to enter to Covenant with HIM in the dream we know as "Jacob's Ladder" (Genesis 28.12-15).
3. Jacob conditionally accepts GOD'S invitation (Genesis 28.16-22).
4. GOD fulfills the conditions upon which Jacob made his vow (Genesis 30.43, Genesis 31.24).
5. GOD reminds Jacob that HE is the same GOD that he made a vow to setting the stage for the Jacob to fulfill his vow to the LORD (Genesis 31.13)
6. Jacob's fear of Laban causes him to disobey the GOD'S command to leave Laban's house (territory) and return to his father's house. Jacob ended up across the Jordan River in Mount Gilead, but Isaac (his father) lived in Gerar. If you look at a BIBLE map for the time of Genesis through Deuteronomy, it will be obvious how significant this is. (Genesis 31.13)
7. Because Jacob flees in terror of Laban, he by-passes Beth-El, (where he originally made his vow to the LORD) without fulfilling the vow. We know this because when Laban overtakes Jacob after 7 days' journey, Jacob is in the mount of Gilead which is across the Jordan from Beth-El (Genesis 31.21-23).
8. Jacob asks the LORD for protection from his brother, Esau, and makes another vow to HIM. He does so even though he has disobeyed GOD by not going back to his father's house, and therefore, by-passing the altar in Beth-El where he would have fulfilled his vow (Genesis 32.9-12).
9. GOD as a "man" comes to Jacob in the same night that he prayed for protection from Esau. Keep in mind, and this is extremely important, the Covenant has not yet been established because Jacob has not fulfilled his vow. GOD came to kill Jacob that night because of the Covenant and because of his disobedience (refer to incident with Moses in Exodus 4.24 for the same theme). Jacob had acted disobediently and presumptuously concerning the Holy Nature of the ALMIGHTY GOD, and feared Laban and Esau more than he feared GOD HIMSELF. In the fight of his life and for his life, Jacob found mercy in the sight of GOD and he was left disabled instead of dead (Genesis 32.30-31).
10. GOD gives Jacob HIS NAME: Isra-el. Meaning GOD prevails and He who rules with/as GOD. (Genesis 32.28).
11. GOD answers Jacob's prayer (Genesis 32.11), Jacob finds favor in the eyes of his brother, Esau, from whom he had previously stolen both his birthright and his blessing.
12. Jacob erects an altar, but this time it is not to the GOD of his Fathers. This time, for the first time in his life, Jacob (now Isra-El) erects an altar to ELELOHE ISRA-EL, THE MIGHTY GOD OF/BELONGING TO/WORSHIPPED BY ISRA-EL. The GOD of his Fathers had become his own, personal GOD. His Covenant with his GOD is the foundation upon which GOD will birth and bless an entire nation.
Today, when we enter into and uphold our personal Covenant with the LORD, GOD ALMIGHTY, we hold in place that foundation upon which the Kingdom of the HOLY GOD of HEAVEN will be evident and prevail in the Earth.
All glory, honor and praise be ascribed to ELELOHE ISRA-EL!
Today's Reading: Genesis 33 (KJV)
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