Covenant Confirmed To Jacob

In Genesis 28 we see:
1. Jacob's Venture: 28:1-9

Here we see Jacob as a lonely fugitive. Jacob the deceiver is now blessed but banished. To protect Jacob from Esau's wrath, Isaac sent him away, reassuring him that the God who blessed his grandfather and father would also bless him. But even though he left with his father's blessing, Jacob faced an unknown future, and his brother still wanted to kill him. Not an encouraging beginning for a new chapter in his life. But God was still in control (Rom.8:28).

2. Jacob's Vision: 28:10-15

Jacob was literally between a rock and a hard place. But that night, Jacob made several discoveries that helped change his life. He discovered that God was with him and working for him and had a perfect plan for his life.

• He sees the angels of God: 28:10-12. During a dream at Bethel, Jacob sees angels ascending and descending upon a stairway reaching from earth to heaven. Jacob may have been separated from home, but he was not seperated from heaven. John Phillips points out that "Jacob learned that there was such a place as heaven, and that heaven is not only an actual place; it is an accessible place. Centuries later, in talking to Nathanael, the Lord Jesus identified Himself as the ladder that Jacob saw. He is the link between earth and heaven; being the God/Man, He bridges the gap between deity and humanity, heaven and earth. We can approach God and reach heaven only through Jesus. That night, Jacob learned a truth centered in Christ. It was a saving truth." See John 1:51.
• He sees the God of the angels: 28:13-15.

3. Jacob's Vow: 28:16-22

Upon waking, Jacob promises to serve God, but only if God protects him and provides for him. A selfish prayer to say the least, but nonetheless, Jacob is a changed man. To wrap it up, here are some spiritual lessons from the characters we have seen in the last few chapters:

Isaac: 1) We must never put our own way ahead of God's Word. 2) Parental favortism can cause division in the home. 3) It's possible to be saved yet carnal. Let us walk in the Spirit.

Rebekah: 1) Let God work out His will. Don't take matters into your own hands. 2) Favoritism, in the home or elsewhere, always breeds trouble.

Esau: 1) We should never trade spiritual treasures for earthly treasures: (Gen.25:29-34; Heb.12:16-17). 2) Many of God's blessings, once missed, can never be reclaimed.

Jacob: 1) It is possible to pursue the right goal (Gen.25:23; Rom.9:10-13) in the wrong way (Gen.25:29-34; Gen.27:1-19). 2) We should never place conditions on our promises to God.