Jesus Walkingo N Water

In this paper will tell of the story of Jacob's ladder Genesis Chapter 28:10-22. It will tell key symbolisms and the overall meaning, God is a forgiving God.

In the story of Jacob's ladder Esau was the eldest of Isaac's sons, because of this he had special rights and was entitled to an inheritance from God. (Kiyohiro) Jacob was the second eldest child and was very jealous of his brother. He lashed out by stealing Esau's blessings and deceived his blind, elderly father, Isaac. Esau became furious and planned to kill his brother. For this reason, Jacob had to leave his homeland. Jacob set off to Haran in hopes to find a wife and start a new life or until things settled down a bit with his family. On Jacob's journey, he chose to rest for the night and he dreamt he saw God's angels traveling up and down this ladder between heaven and earth. He saw God and God spoke to him making a covenant" And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee whithersoever thou goest, and will bring thee back into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." (Genesis 28:15) When Jacob arose the next morning he set the stone he had used as a pillow as a pillar and named the land Beth-el and that spot was to be the House of God. He then vowed, "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, so that I come back to my father's house in peace, then shall the Lord be my God, and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house; and of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee." (Genesis 28:20-22)

When Jacob awoke after his dream he stood the stone he used as a pillow as a pillar and poured oil on it and named this place Bethel. Bethel means the The House of God. (Childrens Chapel, 2011) The ladder Jacob dreamt could be a bridge between Heaven and Earth. God appeared at the top of the ladder that extended from the heavens down to earth. The ladder symbolizes salvation, a gateway to heaven that God outreached to him. (Krell, 2005) The Angels first ascended and then descended as if the Angels were on earth with Jacob. There is also a thought that there may have been certain Angels that walked the Holy Land and other Angels to walk the other lands. (Bible Study Connection, 2009) "Jacob's ladder" is contrasted with the "Tower of Babel" story (Genesis 11:1-9) in which the Tower was built with the Top to the Heavens. In the story "Tower of Babel," the people tried several times to reach heaven by their own actions and were never successful. In the story of "Jacob's Ladder," Jacob is striving to reach heaven by following God's plan.

Jacob traveled in the wilderness, dark and alone. The sunset and darkness fell all around him. (Kiyohiro)