By Dr. Ben Stubblefield
Visiting assistant professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
A Stairway
Genesis 28:10–22
“Ooh, it makes me wonder.” When I was at any high school get-together, if there was a guy with a guitar around, he was going to play the Led Zeppelin classic “Stairway to Heaven,” and we were all going to sing that little refrain.
To be honest (and sadly), I used to be way more familiar with that song than our passage because it either wasn’t taught much, or I just wasn’t paying attention (probably the latter). It’s a perplexing scene in many ways, but I think this moment in Genesis is critical not only to the story of Israel, but also to the life of Christ (John 1:51).
Dreaming (10–12)
In pursuit of a wife from Paddan-aram and in retreat from Esau’s murderous rage, Jacob beds down for the night and has a dream about a ladder on which angels are ascending and descending — a visual link between heaven and earth.
The ladder affirms God’s presence with Jacob and upon the land where he rests. The dream assures Jacob that God will deploy heaven’s emissaries to accomplish His plan of blessing for him. And it is the kind of assurance that Jacob will need because his journey of faith will require no small resolve.
It’s the same kind of confidence the Lord promises us before His final ascension. The disciples observe Jesus, although rising, declaring the upcoming descent of the Helper, and promising, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).
Promised (13–15)
The Lord reveals Himself above the ladder and extends to Jacob the covenant of Abraham. This appears to be the moment God designates Jacob as a father (patriarch) of Israel.
Notice that this is not a transaction. God’s not offering to do something for Jacob if he will do something for God. No, God promises to provide for Jacob land, descendants, blessing and His presence.
Jacob is a deceiver, like the serpent, and appears to deserve exile more than mercy. And yet God offers His covenant love irrespective of Jacob’s merit. God continues to love the Jacobs of the world and offers heaven’s mercies still.
Gate of heaven (16–17)
When Jacob realizes God’s presence, he has two reactions. He reacts with fear because he did not realize where he slept was holy ground, and joy because there was no better place to be than in the presence of the Lord. His eyes are opened and his attitude completely changes. He goes from being tired and listless to an awe-struck worshiper.
Like Jacob, we’ve experienced that reorientation, and it was a moment that shaped the rest of our lives.
The vow (18–22)
Jacob happily receives God’s blessing and responds to God’s mercies by making a personal vow of commitment, obedience and sacrifice to the Lord. The grace of God motivated the surrender of Jacob’s life back to the Lord.
Like Jacob, we’ve received God’s grace, but also like Jacob, we want to return to the Lord our devotion, obedience, and, indeed, our very lives.
It’s a free gift, but it will cost you everything. We give our talents not in exchange for God’s love but because of it. We sing it powerfully: “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”
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