Standing Strong |
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Isaiah 11:6 2 Thessalonians 2:15 |
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Yeshua as Jacob’s Ladder |
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This week’s portion “and he went out” often has people focus on employer-employee relations, or the deceit of Laban, or Rachel stealing the false gods of Laban at the time Jacob fled to return home. You can find plenty written on these areas. But there is a much more important message that originates from this week’s portion. I wish to make certain that all believers in the Messiah as written about in the Acharonim Ketuvim (latter writings), have made a connection between this week’s portion and those writings of immediately after Yeshua’s time. In Gen 28:12 Jacob’s dream tells of a ladder set up on the earth and its top reached the heaven and the angels of G-d were ascending and descending on it. If one looks at John 1:51 we see it said, “Truly, truly I say to you, you will see the heavens open and the angels of G-d ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” “Son of Man” was a term often used by Yeshua to refer to himself. God was willing to bridge the gap between heaven and earth, and have genuine and uninterrupted communion (or communication) and close fellowship with Jacob. Jacob saw it as a holy place that connected with G-d and named it house of G-d, Bethel. A classic Torah commentary offers this interpretation of Jacob's ladder: · According to the Midrash, (a Jewish term which refers to the whole compilation of homiletic teachings on the Scriptures) the ladder signified the various exiles which the Jewish people would suffer before the coming of the messiah. First the angel representing the 70-year exile of Babylonia climbed "up" 70 rungs, and then fell "down". Then the angel representing the exile of Persia went up a number of steps, and fell, as did the angel representing the exile of Greece. Only the fourth angel, which represented the final exile of Rome/Edom, kept climbing higher and higher into the clouds. During the time of the Roman exile/ occupation the angel was seen to not fall. From this Midrash we see that Yeshua is defining himself as the Messiah in John 1:51. He states that through him the exiles have ended and they now have access to the throne of G-d through him. And when did the crucifixion occur? It was during the time of the Roman exile/ occupation. And some people claim that Yeshua never declared himself as the Messiah. The more you know your Jewish understandings the more it is clear what Yeshua was truly sharing. Selah. |
