first things first…

let me tell you what a schemer needs to hear, what you and i need to hear when we get our schemes going.  the message is, GOD comes and as clear as day says, “I can meet your needs.  I’m going to use your energy in doing it but I’m going to do it.  I can meet your needs.” 

and HE shows jacop in genesis 28.10-15 the picture of a ladder to express to him how HE can meet those needs of his life.  the angels are going up and down on this ladder.  going up taking prayers from earth to heaven.  but also coming down bringing blessings from heaven back down.  

in john 1.51 (msg), JESUS makes a very interesting comment about this dream – just a little aside – to one of HIS disciples.  he said, before this is over you’re going to see heaven open and GOD’s angels descending to the SON OF MAN and ascending again.   JESUS is the SON OF MAN.  so what is HE saying?  jacob’s ladder – that pipeline, that way between heaven and earth – that ladder is ME, JESUS CHRIST. 

JESUS CHRIST is the way i get my prayers up to GOD.  JESUS CHRIST is the way GOD has brought HIS blessings onto this earth.  the old testament is filled with pictures of JESUS CHRIST and GOD’s ladder that HE showed to jacob is one of those pictures. 

so he has this powerful experience with GOD, this assurance is flooded into his life.  but look at how he responds.  he responds like a schemer.  many times if you’ve got this thing of doing your own angles in life, the first time we hear GOD’s assurance, our response is a little off kilter. 

so jacob says to GOD, genesis 28.16 (msg), GOD is in this place—truly. and i didn't even know it!... this is GOD’s house. this is the gate of heaven.

notice:  he’s met GOD but what is he really impressed with?  the place.  it’s like, “i was lucky here!  if i had slept two miles down the road i would have missed it!  but i just happened to sleep in the right place.  i got the right rock.  there’s something about this!  [it’s the genie in the bottle thing.]  GOD was here.  how lucky i am.” 

he goes on and says this in verse 20a (msg), if GOD stands by me.  GOD had just said in verse 15. (msg).  I’ll stick with you until I’ve done everything i promised you, then a few verses later there’s jacob, the schemer, saying, verse 20 (msg), if GOD stands by me and protects me on this journey on which i’m setting out, keeps me in food and clothing, and brings me back in one piece to my father’s house, this GOD will be my GOD.

and what do you think GOD thought of that?  listen.  HE wasn’t impressed!  HE wants us to make HIM our GOD and recognize that HE’s with us.  JESUS said it this way, seek first GOD’s kingdom and GOD’s righteousness and then all these things [like food and clothing] will be added to you.  first things first.

just a thought from the front porch…