The story of Jacob’s Ladder is told in Genesis 28:10-19 to show that God is interested in every person and that he knows what mental state they are in and what they’re doing whether good or bad.
That’s according to the Revs. Terry Pugh and Erik Stadler, who say God found Jacob in the middle of a wilderness and in a dream showed him angels ascending and descending a ladder or staircase between Heaven and Earth to bolster Jacob’s faith.
“There was no way that anyone but God could have known where Jacob was because he had run away into the wilderness,” said the Rev. Pugh, pastor of the First United Pentecostal Church. “God is sending us the same message today that he sent Jacob. He says, ‘I know exactly where you are and any situation you are in and whether you are doing right or wrong.’ He knows where the sparrows fall and the numbers of hairs on our heads.
“As far as the ladder is concerned, I don’t think angels need a ladder,” Pugh said. “That was just for Jacob’s benefit. Angels are interested in what’s going on here in the world and they look after us.”
The Rev. Stadler, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, said Jacob would have 12 sons who became the progenitors of the 12 Tribes of Israel and that the patriarch was a key link in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
“Even though he was by himself in the wilderness, he named that place Bethel or ‘House of God’ and made a commitment to God,” Stadler said. “God was speaking to him in a dream and he speaks to us in many ways.
“The Bible speaks about honoring God and serving him and he does not speak any differently than he has in Scripture.”
Stadler said Jacob was in search of a wife and he was assured that he would achieve that goal and all his other purposes.
“He was sleeping with his head on a stone and God said, ‘I took care of your forefathers and I will take care of you,’” he said. “He said, ‘You will be the father of a great nation.’ Jacob’s response to that comforting dream was to continue serving God and being devoted to him.
“Angels are with us,” Stadler said. “They watch over us and take care of us and sometimes they’re mighty warriors. They destroyed armies in the Bible. Jacob was definitely blessed. He had his hardships, but he prospered.”
Jacob’s vow was, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God and this stone which I have set up for a pillar shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full 10th to you.”
