Scripture references;
“7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” Ephesians 4:7-8 KJV
“11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:11-15 KJV
“8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2Timothy 4:8 KJV
Today I am treasuring these words:
“11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” Titus 2:11 KJV
Throughout all ages the Lord’s grace has appeared to the young and old, to male and female, and to Jew and Gentile (sometimes referred to as proselytes or strangers). So far in this series I have shared accounts of a number of people found in the Book of Genesis to whom the Lord spoke, comforted, and guided. He revealed His will, and made promises. Their reactions varied.
Today it is Jacob’s turn.
It seems to me that it would have been nice if Jacob would have shown the same type of gratitude and praise that Abraham’s servant showed when the Lord lead him to Rebekah, the woman who would later become his mother.
The Lord has at times made both promises that were/are conditional, and promises that were/are unconditional. The promises made on this occasion were unconditional; were not dependant on any good works Jacob might perform. Here is the portion of scripture I am speaking about:
Jacob’s Dream
10 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! 13 And behold, theLord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. 14 Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you andyour offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 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 promised you.” 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
18 So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. 19 He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first. 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, 21 so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then theLord shall be my God, 22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.” Genesis 28:10-22 ESV
There is so much there. Talk about gifts! There are earthly gifts, and there are heavenly gifts. There are earthly blessings, and there are heavenly blessings. On this particular occasion we are furnished with glimpses of both kind. Jacob and his descendants would certainly experience their share of sorrow, but there would also be times when the Lord would wipe away their tears. This is the same for all who have trusted and will trust in the wonderful promises of God!
“21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4 KJV
Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? Please click here:
https://pronetoponder.wordpress.com/category/about-salvation-very-important-words/ and make sure.
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Moore to Ponder 