Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-04-06
BIBLE ANALYSIS.
international Sunday School Lesson,
Aor;l 7, 1907.
Jacobs vision and Gods PROMISE
cen xvii. 1-5. 1922.

The events OF TINS lesson LoiiOW
closely after the deception Of Isaac
and the securing Of the birthright by
Jacob. on whica subject we studied
a few weeks ago. The student will re-
member that Jacob and his mother
had plofted to secure the birthright
from Esau. and row She is led to de-
ylse some plan to save her favorite
son from the anger Of his brother;
and for his reason she urged Jacob toll
Ice to Haran, where her people lived
1ocon went from home, never to see
his usother again As he journeyed
he slept on the ground, with a stone
for pillow; and as we study this
lesson of Jacob. a wanderer from home
and Ia need of comfort, We learn that
harsslfips and misfortunes sometimes
leaa 10 better things, especially II they
are directed by the Lord for His glory
The Lord revealed Himself to Jacob
as we note in our lesson and today He
still reveals Himself to all those who
earnestly seek Him. The lessons Of
this quarter are especially we'll adapt
ed 70 the teaching Of great spiritual
truths, and the various types Of Christ
are especially noted As we study.
Jacobs vision today we note Christ
RI the Way; in fact Christ is the lad
der. or stairway, in and by whom we
ascend to heaven.
Verses 1-5.--In our lesson we find
Jacob In circumstances quite differ
ent from those we studied Of him
Few weeks ago. He is now a desoate
s4anderer and in need Of home com
fort. aud, although about 81 years old,
he was considered a young man, while
his father, Isaac, was III years Of age
at this time Jacob on leaving home,
however, had the good fortune of hav-
ing HE fathers blessing and instruc-
don Isaac's blessing upon his son
Jacob was a repetition of that given
Abraham by the Lord (Gen xvii, Is;
xxi, 1919 Jacobs exile was the re-
suit OF selfshness, and yet God turned
even the wrongdoing to a wise purpose
since Jacob secured a good and noble
wife.
Verses 10.15.-Alone and on foot
with staff in hand Jacob pursued bis
SOLITARY Journey tGen, xxxii.), and,
sleeping on the ground with a pillow
of stoues came the brightest visions
of his sour God often gave visions
and dreams to His prophets and SER
wants. as He did to Jacob in our les
son, aud we have reason to believe
that God gives dreams and visions to
some of His children at present (see
Acts Ii. ~. But dreams are not Gods
usual way of revealing His VIII to
His followers (see John xiv. 26). The
ladder in verse Il suggests access to
our Father in Heaven, the PRAYERS of
dse hart, which, like winged angels.
ascead the ladder, pierce the sky, and
at the open portal Of heaven present
the message of the soul of God Just
as the angels rof God assembled and
desc aded the ladder, so there is the
ascent of our prayers and the descent
of the answers. Jacob is assured that
he will not BE- cast away from the pres
once of God ". 15). Have not we as
rich a promise from our blessed Saw
Jour? May we as Bible students go
forth TO our duties this new quarter
with great assurance and glad hearts,
since the riches OF heavens blessing
and power are about us.
Verses 16-22.-When Jacob awoke
he was filed with reverence and awe
tverse 16). He did not expect to meet
God here in this special manner for he
was far from his home, but the place
that he had used for a pillow to mark
the spot and called it Bethel. which
means the house of God oversees IT. !
1s). 1t is a great blessing to know
that God is with us. and that He will
perform all His promises toward Ms.
When Jacob came to Bethel he was
an unconverted man, but repented
after he worke from his dream, as
we infer from verses 20-21. Years
Sfterwa"d he desired to return to
Bethel and build an altar to the God
who answered him in the dav of /
his distress" s(Gen. xxxy. 81. Jacob
depended entirely upon the Lord to
prosper his Journey and to bring him
Back % his fathers house. Jacob
vowed a VOW" verse 2O), or in plain.
er words he gave himself to God and
Ills service, since God had promised
10 sustain and keep him. There are
many persons today who make prom
1:ses 10 God when in trouble, or when
laid upon beds of sickness, but who
forget such promises when God again
restores them 10 there former health
Jaoob promised 10 give one-tenth of
p 49, Al