Genesis 28
Do you ever read the Bible, especially the Old Testament, and think something like "That is sooooo 4500 years ago. It can't apply now?" If you are anything like me then I know you do. I think we all do. It's just one more way that our enemy gets into your head. He convinces us that those behaviors, thoughts, actions and ideas are just not relevant any longer.
But, the Bible says that God never changes. He will be tomorrow what He is now and was yesterday. Therefore anything that we see in the OT is still very much what is expected today. Sure, there are some things in the Old Testament that may not seem applicable in a New Testament world but probably less than you think. {Email them to me, lets see how many} In fact, more often than not it's probably more that human thoughts from the OT were just plain wrong but that was never realized until that revelation was given by Christ and the Spirit. I think we find a stunning example of this in Genesis 28.
Jacob had been traveling to Mesopotamia to find a wife according to the instructions of his father Isaac. After sunset he stopped for the evening to set up camp. While he slept he dreamt of a stairway to heaven with the Lord at the above the top. He said "I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac....Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land' for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you."Jacob awoke and said "Surely the Lord is in this place and I did not know it."It can be so comforting to realize|believe|know|trust that my Creator is with me at all times. During times that I don't deserve Him, {and that's all the time by the way}when I am scared, bold, strong, weak, powerful and shy. I can't imagine going through some life events without Him there to join me when I celebrate|mourn|laugh|cry. Thankfully, I don't have to imagine that. But Jacob tells us that in his day, it was common. That it took a dream or a vision or something supernatural to recognize that God was in a certain place at a certain time. Yikes.
But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. (1) The LORD guides us continually, giving us water when we are dry and restoring our strength. We will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. (2) Therefore, be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified for the LORD our God goes with us; He will never leave us nor forsake us. (3)
Where can we go from your Spirit? Where can we flee from your presence? If we go up to the heavens, you are there; if we make my bed in the depths, you are there. If we rise on the wings of the dawn, if we settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide us, your right hand will hold us fast. (4) Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (5)
1- 2 Corinthians 2:14
2- Isaiah 58:11
3- Deuteronlmy 31:5-6
4- Psalm 139
5- Matthew 28-19-20