417. GEN 28:12. CHRIST TYPIFIED BY JACOB’S LADDER

Gen_28:12. Christ Typified By Jacob’s Ladder

"And behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it."’97Gen_28:12.

At sundry times, in divers manners, God spake unto the fathers. He revealed his mind to Noah as to the deluge. To Abraham as to his will respecting him, and his promise that in his seed would all the families of the earth be blessed. To Jacob God revealed himself on several occasions The scene at Bethel was peculiarly solemn and interesting. Jacob was now alone; far from the dwelling of his affectionate parents. Fleeing from the face of his incensed brother. On his journey to Padanaram, overtaken by the shades of evening, he laid himself down to sleep. The earth was his bed, the canopy of heaven his only covering. A stone his pillow. There, overcome by the fatigue of travelling, having doubtless commended his soul to God, he fell asleep. In a vision of the night God appeared, and said, "I am the Lord," &c., ver. 13. God evidently designed to cheer and strengthen the mind of Jacob, and the whole was intended to give him an assurance of his interest in the kind arrangements of a benign and watchful Providence. But the vision of the ladder seems to present a beautiful emblem of the Saviour; to this, then, lot us direct our present attention. See Christ’s authority for this, Joh_1:51. It might typify,

I. The Person of the Saviour.

The top of the ladder "reached to heaven." Jesus, the second Adam, was of heaven, heavenly. He dwelt there in the bosom of the Father. His glory filled heaven. He was the Prince royal of heaven. The Most High and blessed Potentate. But the ladder "was fixed upon the earth." And in this we have shadowed forth the humanity of Christ. God with God, he became man with men. He became an inhabitant of the earth. He was born into it. He took upon him the nature of man’97was of the seed of Abraham, Gal_4:4. He dwelt upon the earth, tabernacled amongst us, and displayed his "glory, the glory of the only-begotten of the Father," &c., Joh_1:14. He sojourned for more than thirty years upon the earth, and blessed mankind with the riches both of his providence and grace; filling heaven with the rays of his glory, yet, at the same time, he was filling the earth with his goodness and mercy. See this strikingly stated by Christ, Joh_3:13. It might typify,

II. The Mediatorial Work of Christ.

The ladder reached from heaven to earth, therefore united both. This was the grand object of the Saviour, to connect heaven with earth. Earth had revolted, thrown off its allegiance, was in a state of rebellion. Jesus sought to restore it to rightful authority, and thus to bring it beneath the smile and favor of God. That separation which sin had effected he came to make up. That ruin which sin had produced he came to repair. That misery which sin had entailed, he came to remove. He came to bring down heaven to earth, and to raise earth to the holiness and bliss of heaven. Or it might typify,

III. Christ as the only Way to the Father.

God appointed Jesus to be the medium of communication between himself and man. And Christ is the only way of access for the sinner to God. Jesus said, "I am the way." "No man cometh unto the Father but by me." In Christ God is well pleased, and all who are in Christ are accepted of him. Here he requires that all we do be done in Christ’s name. Faith must be in Christ’s name. Prayer and thanksgiving must be in Christ’s name All obedience must be presented to him in, and through, Christ Jesus. If we go to God for pardoning mercy’97renewing grace’97or adopting love, Christ is the only way. He is the true propitiatory, where we have access to God, and enjoy fellowship with him. It might typify,

IV. The Accessibility of Christ to this perishing Sinner.

The ladder was placed upon the earth, close to the spot where Jacob lay and slept Now herein we see how near Christ is to us. Not a Saviour in heaven only, but on earth. A Saviour for us and with us. Need not say, "Who shall ascend," &c. A Saviour who has stooped to our very condition, and brought his mercy within the reach of every perishing sinner. It seemed to typify,

V. The Connection of Angels with the Work and Kingdom of Christ.

"For behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it." Angels, although not personally concerned in the nature Christ assumed, or in the sacrifice he presented, yet manifested the deepest interest in all that related to Christ, when upon the earth. We meet them in company with Christ in Bethlehem. In the desert. On the mount of transfiguration In the garden. At the sepulchre, and or. the summit of Olivet. With Christ’s personal work on earth, their visits of mercy did not terminate. They ministered to Peter. Conveyed messages to Philip, to Cornelius, and others; and, it is evident they feel overflowing joy on the conversion of sinners, and minister cheerfully to the heirs of salvation. Or it might typify,

VI. The Heavenly State to which Christ will exalt his People.

The ladder "reached to heaven;" led to the presence of God. A striking view of the salvation of Christ. Present in its enjoyment. Progressive in its character, raising us higher and higher above the world, and terminating in heaven. Christ will exalt all his followers to enjoy the presence of his Father, forever and ever.

IMPROVEMENT

Let the subject lead us,

1. To rejoice in the reconciliation which Christ has effected for us. Every obstacle is removed out of the way of the sinner’s recovery to God.

2. To avail ourselves of the invitations which the gospel presents to us to come to Christ and have abundant life.

3. To remember there is but one way to heaven, and that way is Christ.

4. Believers must advance in divine things. "Grow in grace." "Go from strength to strength," &c. "Giving all diligence," &c.

5. Let the glorious consummation cheer the Christian in this, the house of his pilgrimage.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS