Jacob's reaction called for Action. First he took the stone used to prop himself up and then he made that stand for itself. Now he had understanding why he couldn't just have a soft pillow made of goose feathers or sheep's wool. Even his pillow had to become something. Then he Anointed the pillow with oil. As God promised that He would bring him to that place again, Jacob wanted to come back to a hallowed place. This pillow was now sacred. It was now declared Holy, (just as Moses' rod). This wasn't just a group of stones (v.11) any longer, but now a stone used to make a pillar. He dedicated that pillar to being the beginning of something for God. He even instituted tithe declaring the first 1/10 of his possessions is Holy unto The Lord.
This woke Jacob in more ways than one. He recognized that he had an encounter with God. So the relationship with God began. It was no longer going off of his father's testimony but now he was becoming a man. His reaction was fear that was really an awe of God and the experience that He had with God himself. Finally Jacob had not just recognition but a point of reference for God. This was a "Sign" directly from God beginning with witnessing a "Wonder" (i.e. Burning Bush experience). Jacob gave God the honor by recognizing that it was God's House denying the physical place that he thought he came into. Jacob had entered into The Spirit realm and locations weren't seen on a physical level any longer but a Spiritual location (hence where Issachar received his gifting from). Jacob said v.16 "I knew it not" as if he would have had a different reaction had he known that was God there. God didn't announce or give an invitation. He didn't want to catch him on guard, but meet the real him.
More important he saw God, and God was at the top of the ladder. God was talking to Jacob when He recognized Himself as the God of his grand-father. Then He made Jacob a promise. He told him that He would give the very ground he was on to him and his children (another promise). Then he promised Jacob that he would have a large family that would span all directions. Not just that the family would be large but that they would be blessed. God affirmed Jacob by telling him that HE is with him. He comforted Jacob by letting him know that he wasn't alone. Then He letting him know that it wasn't just the geographical location that he was in but that He would keep him wherever He went. Not just be with Him but God promised not to leave him. ***Don't leave me alone neither God. He promised to stay with him until the fulfillment of His Word.
Jacob was in the position where he was just kicked out of the house with a pseudo excuse of "go be a man" find a wife. Really they were all afraid that Esau was going to kill him. In a time of distress when things seem should have been bleak, he sat down to rest and that's when The Lord visited him. He came to him at night when he was "dead to world" or dead to reality. Jacob couldn't even have a good night's rest, he had to lay his head on stones. His head had to be put on some things harder than he was. Already he was in an unfamiliar setting, but God knows how to peak your interest by placing you somewhere unsuspecting. Jacob seen something not known to man, a Heavenly portal. What he saw was the ascension and descension of Angels.
...re-confirms the Abrahamic blessing to Jacob. This blessing is the same as Isaac said over Jacob, but God wanted Jacob to hear it from Him as well. A double witness to Jacob that what his father had told him all these years is indeed from God God did this same thing to Isaac when He first appeared to him after his father's death. In this instance, Isaac was still alive. Jacob exclaims that this very place was the House of the Lord (which is what Bethel means) and the very gate of heaven. Jacob recognized that this is a very remarkable vision/dream. He memorialized it by using the stone he used for a pillow and standing it upright to be a pillar, marking it as an awesome place, a holy place. It says he was afraid, so this vision must have made a deep impression on him, as I imagine any vision of God would do. He anointed the pillar with oil, setting it apart as a holy item set apart for the Lord.
After anointing the stone, Jacob makes a vow to God along the lines of, if God fulfills his promises to me, then He will be my God. At this time, Jacob had not committed to God. He perhaps was unsure if the dream or vision was real or just his imagination, or maybe wanted to see if he could trust God. He needed to grow in faith, as we all do.
Some commented why God appeared and blessed Jacob when Jacob had sinned. God's ultimate purpose and plan does not depend on man's perfect obedience. It is all about grace-Giving us what we do not deserve. Jacob can never say that he earned this blessing by perfectly obeying God. This knowledge will humble him. He also knows now that he can approach God even when he is not perfect, because God has made a way for that to happoen.
I have read all of the comments on this chapter. I appreciate everyone's contributions. This chapter picks up where the previous chapter left off, with Jacob pronouncing his blessing on Jacob, conferring to Jacob the blessing of the promise and covenant Isaac received from his father, Abraham. This is a transfer of the blessing from one person of the promise to another. It is very important. Jacob receives the blessing without hesitation. Ishmael must have overseen this event, as he knew that his father had told Jacob to go to the house of Bethuel to take a wife, not from the Canaanite women, as Esau had done. This must have stung Esau. It seems he went out to Ishmael's family to take a wife, so he, too, could perhaps please his father. So, now he had three wives and through them he fathered 12 sons. He was when he tookk his first two wives. It is unknown how much time had passed, or if he had any children yet.
In the last chapter, it says Rebekah was sending him away to escape Esau, but here, Isaac and Rebekah send Jacob off to Padan Aram with the charge to take a wife from Laban's household Jacob obeys and heads out from Beer-Sheba. Along the way he stops in the area north of what is now Jerusalem, a place called Luz. He takes stones to serve as pillows and beds down for the night. I assume that this is an open field on a hill. During the night, he has a dream from the Lord. It is interesting that the angels go up and down. someone asked, "What does that mean?" I really don't know, but perhaps it is to show that Lord is the open gateway between heaven and earth. Perhaps t announce a restoration of the two way interactions of Adam in the Garden with the Lord. This would make this a prophetic dream. the Lord stands at the top of the ladder. It does establish that the angels are lower beings than the Lord and they serve him, as we should. Perhaps this is a nod to Paul's warning against the worship of angels.
The Lord speaks to Jacob. He announces Who He is and
It's a lot to the Jacob and Essau than what meets the Eye, ( Highly Spiritual.)
For lack of better terms here is the root of the story behind them.
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.
Romans 9:11-13. (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, THAT THE PURPOSE OF GOD ACCORDING TO ELECTION MIGHT STAND, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Jacob had a spiritual discernment that Esau did not have. Esau was a man of the flesh and did not care for spiritual things. In fact, he so discounted his birthright that he traded it to Jacob for a bowl of soup!
These 2 brothers not only represents 2 nations but also spiritually God's elected way " His purpose GRACE "= ( JACOB )
ESAU represents man's self righteousness and perhaps worldliness, flesh. thinking his inheritance is earned by being born 1st.. BUT GODS WAY BEING 1ST BORN DOESN'T GIVE YOU THE BIRTH RIGHT. IT'S THE SECOND BIRTH THAT IS ALL IMPORTANT!!
All through the scripture you see this pattern, 1st Adam 2nd Adam, Ephraim and Manassah, And ourselves Being born again. This is one of many Allegories in the Bible.
GOD'S ELECTED WAY IS GRACE.
Romans 9:11. For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand,
The WAR Between Esau descendants and Jacobs descendants - In Reply on Genesis 28 - 2 years ago
Genesis 25-27. Tells the story of Esau and Jacob. Jacob and Rebekah worked together to cheat Esau out of his birthright as elder son. Esau made it easy because he'd rather have a bowl of stew than his birthright. He only fought for it when he saw it given to Jacob.
It seems wrong but Esau had no regard for those things until he realized what He had done. It says God HATED Esau for the treachery. This doesn't sanction cheating and treachery. It teaches that when God gives you a blessing, don't throw it away on something temporal.
Esau left Jewish culture and married into other culture and religion. However, to this very day, Esau is still trying to get his blessing away from Jacob. (God changed Jacobs name to Israel.
The wars in the Mid-East today, are still about the Covenants God made with Abraham and descendant of Abraham's wife SARAH. Ishmael received his own blessing from God. ( Genesis 15 & forward). God clearly explained borders inside the Covenant.
Ishmaels descendants (Palestinians) want everything God gave Israel through the Abrahamic Covenant. Jews have returned to Israel and now the land (the Fig Tree Jesus spoke of), is fertile and blooming. This is prophesy being fulfilled NOW. It's no secret. google it. I followed Esaus descendants to the eastern lands of Israel: a difficult study.
The Palestinians are making deals with Russia; Russia is making deals with China. Search CHINA in the SEARCH engine. 3 scriptures say the Pestilences origins are China and mid-east lands. You gotta use ancient maps with the ancient country names on it.
Israel needs water and is building a pipeline to get it (search news). All countries are against it. (In Mediterranean). Do you comprehend NOW how the final wars will be fought?
If you aren't digging through foreign nation News, you will be clueless why are all these wars being rumored. Matthew 24.
This is a blood war that has been brewing since God Covenanted with Abraham; changed Jacobs name.
Comments to Steven S. about Replacement Theology. Steven when Jesus told Nic. a Jew he had to be bornagain thats Replacement theology. When Paul said its not i that live but Christ that lives with in me thats replacement theology. When Jesus said that which is born of the spirit is spirit thats our new innerman which is the H.G. which is replacement theology. When God said he wd make a NEW COVENANT with the house of Israel NOT ACCORDING TO THE COVENANT I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS thats replacement theology. Steven you are not understanding the Promise which was the multiplication of Christ in humanity via that heavenly seed which is the living word ,Being bornagain of an incorruptible seed is gonna produce a new heart and a new spirit Which is CHRIST IN YOU replacement theology .Steven God wants to replace mans old adamic nature with THE H.G. the Promise . God had replacement theology on his mind when he sent his son to die for the sins of the world. Don't cha see that Satan,mans adamic nature is gonna be replaced. Thats y we must be bornagain of an incorruptible seed and that new innerman is SPIRIT WHICH IS THE ISRAEL OF GOD FROM THE SEED OF CHRIST, natural israel was from the seed of abraham but the Israel of God is from the seed of Christ the living word the PROMISE which is replacement theology, God wants to replace mans evil nature which is in rank with satan. God does not want mans adamic nature in his kingdom thus the need for replacement theology, you must be bornagain is truly replacement theology. k
Israel of God,,. these are some of the key vs in replacement theology. which views I don't hold.. Galatians 6:12-16 (KJV) As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. Now here in vses 12 and 13 you see Paul focus is on jews constraining the galatians to be circumcised,
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature...still talking about them.. "Those that are circumcised those that or not". Galatians is the victims in these 2 verses not the focus, when he's making a distinction between jew and gentiles he says THE circumcised or THE uncircumcised. vs 16. Same pair of jews, the circumcised is them in this vs and the uncircumcised is the Israel of God.
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on THEM, and mercy, and upon the ISRAEL OF GOD. Therefore Israel of God is the messianic jew who is part of the body of Christ forming the church. as in John 10:
John 10:16 (KJV) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Comments by Alex on the Abrahamic, Issac and Jacob Trinity. Early Israel knew that Abraham Issac and Jacob were the 1 singular FATHER of ISRAEL , But they were 3 distinct beings . Father Son and Granson, Several places in the bible we read about Father Abraham , and Father Issac and Father Jacob The great Promise was made to only these three men that their seed wd be multiplied as the sands of the seas until God made that Promise to Christ impling an Israel of God was coming via the seed of Christ . The Children of Promise the Israel of God that will come in his NAME whosoever receiveth one such child in my NAME receiveth ME Which is the H.G. THE child of Promise. Once ya understand the sower and his seed you will understand the babes and the sucklings our fruit unto God, our new HEART. Thats y he was calling for Elijah to come and turn the hearts of the fathers to the CHILDREN at that last and terrible day. Unless ya receive the Kingdom of God as a lil child you will in NO wise enter there in, A lil CHILD IMPLIES A BIRTH,OUR NEW BIRTH via the seed of the sower . She brought forth a man Child, then John says now is come salvation and the Kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ the CHILD tH H.G. I'M obsessed with the sower and his seed which are the Children of Promise th 2 nd coming . The kingdom of God can only come as th new birth. Thats y he always refers to himself as the SON OF MAN. There is a baby CHRIST in our near future the son of man.
Yes, 2 Timothy 3:6-9, when Paul was writing to Timothy, warning him of those with "corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith". Paul even mentions the Egyptian magicians from Exodus chapter 7, that mimicked their rods turning into serpents. Satan's attack is manipulation. Those who have fallen under his manipulation are the reprobates Paul is mentioning.
Know your Bible folks, ground yourself in it. The reason we are given the ARMOR of God, is to have defense for when satan tries to attack. The weapon we are given as our sword is The Holy Spirit, which is the word of God... FOR A REASON :)
This is so great..!!! I just can't stop rejoicing in the Lord my God for His wonderful promises to me! When i feel so lost and away, His word renews my hope and trust in Him.
The ladder in verse 12 is a depiction of Jesus as related to Nathanael by Jesus in John 1:51. He is the one and only mediator between God and man ( 1 Timothy 2:5). We can come boldly to the throne of grace by Jesus Christ ( Hebrews 4:14-16).
In John 3:13 Jesus tells Nicodemus "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven."
Romans 10:6-9 states:
"But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
Paul told of a certain experience in 2 Corinthians 12 then humbly chose to glory in his infirmities rather than exalt himself, being made strong in weakness.
Ephesians 2:4-7 says:
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
From these I gather that by faith in Jesus Christ we are as good as being seated in heaven in Christ, but as Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:6-7, "Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
i have heard people say that they are part of a group that ascend and descend into heaven and have conversations with people and jesus i find it hard to answer my friends as i think they are far fetched but i would like another opinion please. they are apparently so elect group that have obtained this right as apparently so can we all and are a part of end times workers
I've done a thorough search for what you seek & have come up empty-handed. However, the closest verses that subscribe to your request, may be found in Ezra 7:25,26. You can read it, but for more clarity I would paraphrase it thus: "Ezra, using your God-given wisdom, set magistrates & judges who know the laws of thy God, to judge all people beyond the river & teach them that don't know the laws. And whoever does not obey the laws of God & the king, let judgement be executed speedily.....". So the implication is that both the laws of God & the laws of the land are to be obeyed. I hope this helps.
Where in the KJV is the scripture which says "Obey the laws of the land for these are the laws of God"? I'm not referring to Romans 13:1-7 or 1 Peter 2:13-17. What I'm looking for is in the Old Testament. Can anyone please help me? Thanks
God insights.
Jacob's reaction called for Action. First he took the stone used to prop himself up and then he made that stand for itself. Now he had understanding why he couldn't just have a soft pillow made of goose feathers or sheep's wool. Even his pillow had to become something. Then he Anointed the pillow with oil. As God promised that He would bring him to that place again, Jacob wanted to come back to a hallowed place. This pillow was now sacred. It was now declared Holy, (just as Moses' rod). This wasn't just a group of stones (v.11) any longer, but now a stone used to make a pillar. He dedicated that pillar to being the beginning of something for God. He even instituted tithe declaring the first 1/10 of his possessions is Holy unto The Lord.
After anointing the stone, Jacob makes a vow to God along the lines of, if God fulfills his promises to me, then He will be my God. At this time, Jacob had not committed to God. He perhaps was unsure if the dream or vision was real or just his imagination, or maybe wanted to see if he could trust God. He needed to grow in faith, as we all do.
Some commented why God appeared and blessed Jacob when Jacob had sinned. God's ultimate purpose and plan does not depend on man's perfect obedience. It is all about grace-Giving us what we do not deserve. Jacob can never say that he earned this blessing by perfectly obeying God. This knowledge will humble him. He also knows now that he can approach God even when he is not perfect, because God has made a way for that to happoen.
In the last chapter, it says Rebekah was sending him away to escape Esau, but here, Isaac and Rebekah send Jacob off to Padan Aram with the charge to take a wife from Laban's household Jacob obeys and heads out from Beer-Sheba. Along the way he stops in the area north of what is now Jerusalem, a place called Luz. He takes stones to serve as pillows and beds down for the night. I assume that this is an open field on a hill. During the night, he has a dream from the Lord. It is interesting that the angels go up and down. someone asked, "What does that mean?" I really don't know, but perhaps it is to show that Lord is the open gateway between heaven and earth. Perhaps t announce a restoration of the two way interactions of Adam in the Garden with the Lord. This would make this a prophetic dream. the Lord stands at the top of the ladder. It does establish that the angels are lower beings than the Lord and they serve him, as we should. Perhaps this is a nod to Paul's warning against the worship of angels.
The Lord speaks to Jacob. He announces Who He is and
It's a lot to the Jacob and Essau than what meets the Eye, ( Highly Spiritual.)
For lack of better terms here is the root of the story behind them.
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.
Romans 9:11-13. (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, THAT THE PURPOSE OF GOD ACCORDING TO ELECTION MIGHT STAND, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Jacob had a spiritual discernment that Esau did not have. Esau was a man of the flesh and did not care for spiritual things. In fact, he so discounted his birthright that he traded it to Jacob for a bowl of soup!
These 2 brothers not only represents 2 nations but also spiritually God's elected way " His purpose GRACE "= ( JACOB )
ESAU represents man's self righteousness and perhaps worldliness, flesh. thinking his inheritance is earned by being born 1st.. BUT GODS WAY BEING 1ST BORN DOESN'T GIVE YOU THE BIRTH RIGHT. IT'S THE SECOND BIRTH THAT IS ALL IMPORTANT!!
All through the scripture you see this pattern, 1st Adam 2nd Adam, Ephraim and Manassah, And ourselves Being born again. This is one of many Allegories in the Bible.
GOD'S ELECTED WAY IS GRACE.
Romans 9:11. For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand,
( NOT OF WORKS, )
but of him that calleth.
God bless.
It seems wrong but Esau had no regard for those things until he realized what He had done. It says God HATED Esau for the treachery. This doesn't sanction cheating and treachery. It teaches that when God gives you a blessing, don't throw it away on something temporal.
Esau left Jewish culture and married into other culture and religion. However, to this very day, Esau is still trying to get his blessing away from Jacob. (God changed Jacobs name to Israel.
The wars in the Mid-East today, are still about the Covenants God made with Abraham and descendant of Abraham's wife SARAH. Ishmael received his own blessing from God. ( Genesis 15 & forward). God clearly explained borders inside the Covenant.
Ishmaels descendants (Palestinians) want everything God gave Israel through the Abrahamic Covenant. Jews have returned to Israel and now the land (the Fig Tree Jesus spoke of), is fertile and blooming. This is prophesy being fulfilled NOW. It's no secret. google it. I followed Esaus descendants to the eastern lands of Israel: a difficult study.
The Palestinians are making deals with Russia; Russia is making deals with China. Search CHINA in the SEARCH engine. 3 scriptures say the Pestilences origins are China and mid-east lands. You gotta use ancient maps with the ancient country names on it.
Israel needs water and is building a pipeline to get it (search news). All countries are against it. (In Mediterranean). Do you comprehend NOW how the final wars will be fought?
If you aren't digging through foreign nation News, you will be clueless why are all these wars being rumored. Matthew 24.
This is a blood war that has been brewing since God Covenanted with Abraham; changed Jacobs name.
For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. Now here in vses 12 and 13 you see Paul focus is on jews constraining the galatians to be circumcised,
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature...still talking about them.. "Those that are circumcised those that or not". Galatians is the victims in these 2 verses not the focus, when he's making a distinction between jew and gentiles he says THE circumcised or THE uncircumcised. vs 16. Same pair of jews, the circumcised is them in this vs and the uncircumcised is the Israel of God.
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on THEM, and mercy, and upon the ISRAEL OF GOD. Therefore Israel of God is the messianic jew who is part of the body of Christ forming the church. as in John 10:
John 10:16 (KJV) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-13
2 Timothy 2:25-26
2 Timothy 4:4
Romans 1:25
There are more but that's just a few examples.
Know your Bible folks, ground yourself in it. The reason we are given the ARMOR of God, is to have defense for when satan tries to attack. The weapon we are given as our sword is The Holy Spirit, which is the word of God... FOR A REASON :)
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee
In John 3:13 Jesus tells Nicodemus "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven."
Romans 10:6-9 states:
"But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
Paul told of a certain experience in 2 Corinthians 12 then humbly chose to glory in his infirmities rather than exalt himself, being made strong in weakness.
Ephesians 2:4-7 says:
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
From these I gather that by faith in Jesus Christ we are as good as being seated in heaven in Christ, but as Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:6-7, "Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)".
Sounds more like familiar spirits and witchcraft which is forbidden.
You could ask them to renounce Satan.
Ask if Jesus Christ is God in the flesh and do they serve him as Lord.
an answer would be interesting