按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
In the vision the plan of redemption was presented to Jacob； not fully； but
in such parts as were essential to him at that time。 The mystic ladder
revealed to him in his dream was the same to which Christ referred in His
conversation with Nathanael。 Said He； 〃Ye shall see heaven open； and the
angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man。〃 John 1：51。 Up
to the time of man's rebellion against the government of God； there had been
free communion between God and man。 But the sin of Adam and Eve separated
earth from heaven； so that man could not have communion with his Maker。 Yet
the world was not left in solitary hopelessness。 The ladder represents
Jesus； the appointed medium of communication。 Had He not with His own merits
bridged the gulf that sin had made； the ministering angels could have held
no communion with fallen man。 Christ connects man in his weakness and
helplessness with the source of infinite power。
All this was revealed to Jacob in his dream。 Although his mind at once
grasped a part of the revelation； its great and mysterious truths were the
study of his lifetime； and unfolded to his understanding more and more。
187
Jacob awoke from his sleep in the deep stillness of night。 The shining forms
of his vision had disappeared。 Only the dim outline of the lonely hills； and
above them the heavens bright with stars； now met his gaze。 But he had a
solemn sense that God was with him。 An unseen presence filled the solitude。
〃Surely the Lord is in this place；〃 he said； 〃and I knew it not。 。 。 。 This
is none other but the house of God； and this is the gate of heaven。〃
〃And Jacob rose up early in the morning； and took the stone that he had put
for his pillows； and set it up for a pillar； and poured oil upon the top of
it。 〃In accordance with the custom of commemorating important events； Jacob
set up a memorial of God's mercy； that whenever he should pass that way he
might tarry at this sacred spot to worship the Lord。 And he called the place
Bethel； or the 〃house of God。〃 With deep gratitude he repeated the promise
that God's presence would be with him； and then he made the solemn vow； 〃If
God will be with me； and will keep me in this way that I go； and will give
me bread to eat； and raiment to put on； so that I come again to my father's
house in peace； then shall the Lord be my God： and this stone； which I have
set for a pillar； shall be God's house： and of all that Thou shalt give me I
will surely give the tenth unto Thee。〃
Jacob was not here seeking to make terms with God。 The Lord had already
promised him prosperity； and this vow was the outflow of a heart filled with
gratitude for the assurance of God's love and mercy。 Jacob felt that God had
claims upon him which he must acknowledge； and that the special tokens of
divine favor granted him demanded a return。 So does every blessing bestowed
upon us call for a response to the Author of all our mercies。 The Christian
should often review his past life and recall with gratitude the precious
deliverances that God has wrought for him； supporting him in trial； opening
ways before him when all seemed dark and forbidding； refreshing him when
ready to faint。 He should recognize all of them as evidences of the
watchcare of heavenly angels。 In view of these innumerable blessings he
should often ask； with subdued and grateful heart； 〃What shall I render unto
the Lord for all His benefits toward me？〃 Psalm 116：12。
Our time； our talents； our property； should be sacredly devoted to Him who
has given us these blessings in trust。 Whenever a special deliverance is
wrought in our behalf； or new and
188
unexpected favors are granted us； we should acknowledge God's goodness； not
only by expressing our gratitude in words； but； like Jacob； by gifts and
offerings to His cause。 As we are continually receiving the blessings of
God； so we are to be continually giving。
〃Of all that Thou shalt give me；〃 said Jacob； 〃I will surely give the tenth
unto Thee。〃 Shall we who enjoy the full light and privileges of the gospel
be content to give less to God than was given by those who lived in the
former； less favored dispensation？ Nay； as the blessings we enjoy are
greater； are not our obligations correspondingly increased？ But how small
the estimate； how vain the endeavor to measure with mathematical rules；
time； money； and love； against a love so immeasurable and a gift of such
inconceivable worth。 Tithes for Christ！ Oh； meager pittance； shameful
recompense for that which cost so much！ From the cross of Calvary； Christ
calls for an unreserved consecration。 All that we have； all that we are；
should be devoted to God。
With a new and abiding faith in the divine promises； and assured of the
presence and guardianship of heavenly angels； Jacob pursued his journey to
〃the land of the children of the East。〃 Genesis 29：1； margin。 But how
different his arrival from that of Abraham's messenger nearly a hundred
years before！ The servant had come with a train of attendants riding upon
camels； and with rich gifts of gold and silver； the son was a lonely；
footsore traveler； with no possession save his staff。 Like Abraham's
servant； Jacob tarried beside a well； and it was here that he met Rachel；
Laban's younger daughter。 It was Jacob now who rendered service； rolling the
stone from the well and watering the flocks。 On making known his kinship； he
was welcomed to the home of Laban。 Though he came portionless and
unattended； a few weeks showed the worth of his diligence and skill； and he
was urged to tarry。 It was arranged that he should render Laban seven years'
service for the hand of Rachel。
In early times custom required the bridegroom； before the ratification of a
marriage engagement； to pay a sum of money or its equivalent in other
property； according to his circumstances； to the father of his wife。 This
was regarded as a safeguard to the marriage relation。 Fathers did not think
it safe to trust the happiness of their daughters to men who had not made
provision for the support of a family。 If they had not sufficient thrift and
energy to manage business and acquire cattle or lands； it was feared that
189
their life would prove worthless。 But provision was made to test those who
had nothing to pay for a wife。 They were permitted to labor for the father
whose daughter they loved； the length of time being regulated by the value
of the dowry required。 When the suitor was faithful in his services； and
proved in other respects worthy； he obtained the daughter as his wife； and
generally the dowry which the father had received was given her at her
marriage。 In the case of both Rachel and Leah； however； Laban selfishly
retained the dowry that should have been given them； they referred to this
when they said； just before the removal from Mesopotamia； 〃He hath sold us；
and hath quite devoured also our money。〃
The ancient custom； though sometimes abused； as by Laban； was productive of
good results。 When the suitor was required to render service to secure his