Notes 22 march 2023

midweek meeting

“glimpses of
OT saints” 

Gen 28:12  And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

“jacob and bethel”

In many ways Daniel and David were outstanding examples of godliness. Although Jacob is also an example of a godly man, he is a man with character flaws. It teaches us to be careful with our judgments of men. We also see grace in the Lord loving such a man.

history

Jacob had taken both the birthright and blessing from his brother Esau. He had to escape for his life.

character

We see in Jacob the same character flaws as his mother and her family, where he deceives in order to have his way. The name “Jacob” carries the meaning of taking advantage.

grace 

As we said in our introduction we need to be careful how we judge men. We must leave room for the Lord to work.

Mostly we see in Jacob the grace of God towards sinners. The Lord loved Jacob.

timing

This meeting was timely. We see Jacob alone and fearful. It was a crossroads of his life. The Lord chose this moment to meet with him.

gospel

The first thing we note about this meeting was the gospel picture of the ladder to Heaven. This ladder was a picture of Jesus Christ.

We see in this picture of the ladder, with the foot of the ladder upon earth and the head of the ladder in Heaven, both the humanity and the deity of Jesus Christ.

We see in this picture of the ladder between earth and Heaven, Jesus Christ as the way to Heaven.

promises

As Jacob saw the ladder in his dream the Lord makes many promises to Jacob. Promises of a promised land. Promises of Israel the nation. Promises of a gospel to the World. Promises to keep him and bless him.

worship

The first response of Jacob is worship. He speaks of the place as the house of God and the gate of Heaven. His heart is full of awe.

covenant

The second response of Jacob is to make a covenant with the Lord. He promises that the Lord will be his God. He promises to tithe (give a tenth of all he owns) to the Lord. This meeting with the Lord changed Jacob.