Jacob's Ladder

Genesis 28 brings us the story of Jacob, who was the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham.

Jacob stole his twin brother Esau’s birthright, his claim to inheritance and blessing, by pretending to be Esau before his ailing and blind father. As a result, Esau vowed to kill Jacob, who then fled from him.

While fleeing, Jacob was exhausted and lay down to sleep. He dreamed of the vision of a ladder between heaven and earth. Angels were ascending and descending the ladder. God stood at the top of the ladder, repeating the promise he had made to Abraham and Isaac, telling Jacob that his offspring would be many and would be blessed. When Jacob awoke, he took the stone where he had rested his head, poured oil on it, and consecrated it while making a vow to follow God for the rest of his life.

The Lord Our Savior Jesus Christ would later refer to this story from the Old Testament, referring to Himself as the ladder for men to climb from earth to heaven. He tells us, “Truly I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:51)

Jacob’s ladder is quite different from the Tower of Babel, isn’t it my friends? The Tower of Babel was a man-made structure constructed from the limited earthly parts and climbed with arrogance and defiance. In contrast, the way to the Kingdom of God is through the ladder of salvation formed by Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.