Jacob’s Ladder and Jack and the Beanstalk have similarities. Jacob’s Ladder comes from the Hebrew word סֻלָּם יַעֲקֹב Sūllām Ya‘aqōv. Based upon the account of Moses, Jacob has a dream where a ladder leads up to heaven. Meanwhile, Jack and the Beanstalk is an English fairy tale where a gian’s beanstalk leads up to the clouds in the sky. While Jack finds a giant in this magical place, Jacob realizes that surely the Lord is in this place.
And Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 And he came to a certain place and stayed there overnight, because the sun was set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down there to sleep. 12 And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! 13 And behold, the Lord stood over and beside him and said, I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father [forefather] and the God of Isaac; I will give to you and to your descendants the land on which you are lying, Genesis 28:10-13.
The context of Jacob’s dream serves as a needed break from the stress of reuniting with Esau. The last time these brothers were together, Jacob left abruptly after his brother talked about murder. Subsequently, as Jacob was dreading a potential attack from Esau, God places a vivid dream into Jacob’s mind. The origin of Jacob’s ladder comes from the passage above. When Jacob was in desperate need of some good news, God reminds him of a promise made to Abraham.
And your offspring shall be as [countless as] the dust or sand of the ground, and you shall spread abroad to the west and the east and the north and the south; and by you and your Offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed and bless themselves. 15 And behold, I am with you and will keep (watch over you with care, take notice of) you wherever you may go, and I will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done all of which I have told you. 16 And Jacob awoke from his sleep and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place and I did not know it, Genesis 28:14-16.
Jacob’s Ladder was one of the first Christian songs that I heard as a child. Yet, early on, I cared more about the game Chutes and Ladders than Jacob’s Ladder. Now that I am older and wiser, I understand the importance of good news as well as being reminded of God’s promises. Therefore, the next time your current situation seems bleak, place your trust in the Lord, Proverbs 3:5-6, and God will make your paths straight.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 