Jacob’s dream (Genesis 28)

Dreams are often vehicles for revelation in the OT (Gen. 15.1, 12; 1 Sam. 28.6). This leads us to ask, what is being revealed in Jacob’s dream. First, it is possible to be linked to God. Jacob sees a ladder that is being used by angels as a path between heaven and earth. For Jacob, this path leads to God who renews the Abrahamic covenant with Jacob. Second, God desires to have a relationship with man. He renewed his status as Jacob’s God, he promised possession of the land and innumerable descendants, and he promised security. Thirdly, God is not removed from man. Jacob went to sleep thinking he had the place all to himself but he awoke realizing that he was in the presence of God. He understood two things about “that place:” it is Bethel (“house of God”) and if it is the house of God, it is also the entrance point (gate) of heaven (28.17).

Perhaps Jacob’s dream can give us more insight into Jesus. In John 1.45-51, Jesus references Jacob’s dream in his discussion with Nathanael. Jesus convinces Nathanael that he is the Son of God. Recognizing his divine omniscience, Nathanael confesses belief in Jesus. Jesus promises to display greater things this. "Yes indeed! I tell you that you will see heaven opened and the angels of God going up and coming down on the Son of Man!" (1.51). Jesus is the place of much greater revelation, such revelation of which Jacob could only dream about.

Using Jacob’s dream, Jesus asserts: First, it is possible to be linked to God. Jesus is the ladder. He is the means by which heavenly realities will be brought to earth. Just as Abraham and Jacob mediated God’s blessing to the earth, Jesus will be the seat of blessings to mankind. Second, God desires to have a relationship with man. As Jacob’s dream revealed God’s plan to renew the covenant with Abraham, so God would bring a new covenant with man through Jesus, based also on faith. Finally, God is not removed from man. Jesus is the link between heaven and earth, the gate to heaven, the new Bethel (“house of God”) (John 2.19), and the new Israel. Not only is it possible to have access to God through Jesus, it is possible to see God through Jesus. The best part of it all is that it’s no dream!