Advent Devotional - 7th Day

Saturday, December 3rd, 2011

Written by: Russ Hauck

Readings: Genesis 27:41 - 28:22

This passage from Genesis is the story of Jacob’s ladder, in which Jacob dreams of a ladder or stairway connecting heaven and earth, with angels ascending and descending on it. And God speaks to Jacob in this dream and gives him a promise that he and his descendants will be richly blessed.
In this story, heaven and earth are linked and God presents Himself to Jacob here on earth. God’s promise is that He will dwell among us and take care of us – not that He will observe us from some far off place. He was with Jacob and He is with us. This is a foretelling of the coming of Jesus, who will be our bridge, or ladder, between heaven and earth: the Jesus who has pitched His tent among us.

Prayer: Lord, God, we give thanks for your promises kept. On this day and in the days to come, make us ever mindful of your presence. “Open the eyes of our hearts, Lord. We want to see You!”

Family Moments:

Saturday: Week 1, Jacob, Assurance of the Promise, Ladder
After Jacob’s dream, he exclaimed “Surely the Lord is in this place and I wasn’t even aware of it!” (Gen 28:16). Discuss how God is always with us. List some of the places you went today and how you encountered God in each place (in someone holding a door, in the nature around you, in someone’s smile, etc). Color the ornament and add it to your Jesse Tree.