#Jacob’s Ladder #Connectivity
“Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.””
(Genesis 35:1 NKJV)
God speaks to Jacob in the above verse after his sons, Simeon and Levi, have slaughtered all the men of Shechem in protest for the sexual defilement of their only sister Dinah. (From the book of Chronicles, we understand that the sons of Levi were appointed as priests who connected the people to God through sacrifices and offerings, and prophesied through instrument and song in the Temple of God.)
On hearing the above command, Jacob immediately prepares himself and all his household to
- Arise
- Go up to Bethel
- Dwell there
- Make an altar to God at Bethel
Why Bethel?
The place Bethel is Hebrew for Beth(house) of El(God) – Literally House of God. Bethel is the place where God first revealed himself to Jacob the supplanter. In this place Jacob dreamt of a ladder connecting heaven and earth and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the ladder. When he awoke from his dream Jacob called the place Bethel, the Gate of Heaven.
In the Gospel of John, we see and hear the Lord Jesus declaring himself to Nathaniel as the ladder that Jacob saw in the dream.
“And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.””
(John 1:51 NKJV)
Simply put, Bethel is our permanent address, the Gate of Heaven where Christ our High Priest connects us with Heaven.
Guard your connectivity
Jacob gave serious and important instructions to his household on how to approach Bethel.
“So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes.”
(Genesis 35:2 NIV)
- Get rid of your idols, leave them at the altar of the Cross. Your idol may be bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, resentment, slander, strife, evil speaking, pride and such like. And allow the fruit of the Spirit to be born in you.
- Receive inner purification by the washing of the water of the word, Christ himself sanctified us by his own blood. Stay in the word and in fellowship God and his church.
- Cease from self-righteousness and be clothed with the righteousness of Christ; our garments on this journey of life are as filthy rags before God. Allow God to write your story, don’t bring Him your resume. Worship really is a Spirit filled lifestyle and not merely the words we speak or sing to God.
As you continue daily in these things may the Lord keep you connected on his network and may you receive victory in the secret place of worship.