Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
Genesis 28:10-22 – Praying through the Bible #16 – A Prayer of Hostage Taking
Are we holding ourselves hostage? A hostage is someone held captive only to be released if certain demands are met. Our demands are our prayers. If met and answered, then we will release ourselves to the authorities, God (Gn 28).
“Jacob’s Ladder” is one of the most amazing, unique and enigmatic scenes in the Bible. Paul will be caught up into the third heaven (2 Cor 12), and here the third heaven is brought down to Jacob. What is more amazing than the dream is Jacob is the patriarch receiving the dream: Liar, cheater, traitor, sinning against family all in the name of the Lord (27.20). Not Abraham, not Isaac, but Jacob. Why? I opine it is because he is a liar, cheater, and traitor.
Graciously, God begins where Jacob is. God begins with what Jacob needs – amazing grace. The Lord stands above the ladder and applies the land, nation, and seed promises to Jacob (28.13-15). God makes His promises specially apply to Jacob. That is one secret to a successful Christian life – make God’s promises ours.
If we were Jacob and had sinned Jacob’s sins, what would we expect God to say? “Jacob, you blew it! I planned to use you in My purpose of blessing all nations. But because you’re such a deceiving, sanctimonious crook, I’m going to have to change My plan. I can’t use you.” Unexplained, God doesn’t utter a word about Jacob’s failures. He assures Jacob about his future, promising that He won’t leave him until He’s done everything He’s promised (28.15). Jacob thought he had to use manipulation and scheming to gain blessings, but here God freely gives him everything while he’s asleep. That’s grace – God’s unmerited favor!
And then Jacob takes a hostage – himself. In his prayerful vow, he lists his demands (demands already promised), “If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, if He provides me with food to eat and clothing to wear, and if I return safely to my father’s house, then the LORD will be my God…and I will give You a tenth of all that You give me” (28.20-22). Some believe “if” here means “since.” I believe a lying, cheating, and traitorous patriarch means “if and only if.” Incredibly, God pays the ransom; and Jacob doesn’t even know that through Jacob God pays an even a greater ransom (28.18).
Prayer Challenge: Have we taken ourselves hostage, to be freed only if God meets our demands? That’s how many fall captive, suffering from “unanswered” pains. See how undeserving we are to be used by God; and then look at ways God has used us as blessings in the lives of others. Recognize we have received something greater than a heavenly dream. We have Jesus, on the cross, in the tomb, out of death, up to the third heaven so we can to; and not just in a dream. Now live free and pray free!
Comments