A Stairway To Heaven

As we see the progress of the divine promise through the line of Jacob, we also see that Esau married into Ishmael's side of the family (Genesis 28:8-9). The tremendous experience, given by God to Jacob (Genesis 28:10-22) was one of the great turning-points in Jacob's life (see also Genesis 32:22-23). It was on that night that he became a new man. The story of Jacob became a story of blessing, a story of a man being led by the Lord Himself on "a stairway ... reaching to heaven" (Genesis 28:12).

Jesus said, "Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of Me" (Matthew 11:6). The story of Esau became a story of an increasing falling away from the Lord. The story of God's enemies is summed up in Psalm 9:3 - "My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before You."

The testimony of the saved is summed up in Psalm 9:1-2 - "I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing the praises of Your name, O Most High."