Day 5

Then he had a dream: a stairway rested on the ground, with its top reaching to the heavens; and God’s angels were going up and down on it. Genesis 28:12

Jacob was the son of Isaac. He and his twin brother Esau didn’t get along so well — that sometimes happens in families. Esau was the older twin, which meant he received the "birthright." Back in the day, having a birthright meant that you would receive your father's inheritance (riches) upon his death, and it suggested a level of "authority" within the family. Esau didn't really care about his future or the tradition of "birthright," but Jacob did care about these things. 

One day, when Esau came in from working he saw Jacob cooking. He asked Jacob for a bowl of red pottage. Jacob agreed to give him one, but only as "payment" for his birthright. Concerned only with his hungry tummy, Esau agreed. Jacob's plan went off without a hitch; he bought Esau's birthright for a bowl of lentils — what a bargain! Later, like a rascal, Jacob tricked his father, Isaac, into giving him the "blessing" of the first born. This trickery didn't go over well, and the brothers parted ways for a long time. 

Years later, Jacob had a dream about a ladder that reached all the way up to heaven. Angels walked up and down the ladder, and God stood at the very top. It was a beautiful dream and a vision of his people's future. From heaven, God spoke to Jacob, renewing the covenant He had made with Abraham. Jacob knew that the promises made to Abraham would be fulfilled through his descendants! Soon after, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. Jacob had 12 sons who would birth the "12 Tribes of Israel." 

Jacob and Esau eventually reconciled, but their story is a reminder that family wounds can last for a very long time. Their story also reminds us of the dignity of family. It is within the "messiness" of family life that God chooses to carry out His plan of salvation. Even in the most difficult family circumstances, we must remember that God's loving hand always provides for each member and showers us with the grace to grow in holiness — if we choose to accept His great gifts!