John Calvin Commentary Genesis 28:12

"And he dreamed. And behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it." — Genesis 28:12 (ASV)

And he dreamed. Moses here teaches how opportunely, and (as we might say) at the critical moment, the Lord helped his servant. For who would not have said that holy Jacob was neglected by God, since he was exposed to the attacks of wild beasts, and vulnerable to every kind of injury from earth and heaven, and found nowhere any help or comfort?

But when he was in such extreme need, the Lord suddenly stretches out his hand to him and wonderfully alleviates his trouble with a remarkable oracle. Therefore, just as Jacob’s invincible perseverance had previously shone forth, so now the Lord gives a memorable example of his paternal care towards the faithful.

Three things are to be noticed here in order:

1. That the Lord appeared to Jacob in a dream.
2. The nature of the vision as described by Moses.
3. The words of the oracle.

When a dream is mentioned, no doubt that mode of revelation is signified which the Lord formerly was accustomed to adopt towards his servants (Numbers 12:6).

Jacob, therefore, knew that this dream was divinely sent to him, as one differing from common dreams; and this is intimated in the words of Moses, when he says that God appeared to him in a dream. For Jacob could not see God, nor perceive him present, unless his majesty had been distinguishable by certain marks.

And behold a ladder. Here the form of the vision is related, which is very pertinent to its subject; namely, that God manifested himself as seated upon a ladder, whose ends touched heaven and earth, and which was the vehicle for angels, who descended from heaven to earth.

The interpretation of some of the Hebrews, that the ladder is a figure of Divine Providence, cannot be accepted, for the Lord has given another, more suitable sign. But for us, who hold to the principle that the covenant of God was founded in Christ, and that Christ himself was the eternal image of the Father, in which he manifested himself to the holy patriarchs, there is nothing in this vision intricate or ambiguous.

For since humans are alienated from God by sin, we do not perceive that communication by which he would draw us to himself, even though he fills and sustains all things by his power. On the other hand, we are so greatly at odds with him that, regarding him as hostile to us, we, in turn, flee from his presence.

Moreover, the angels, to whom the guardianship of the human race is committed, while diligently performing their duties, still do not communicate with us in such a way that we become conscious of their presence. It is Christ alone, therefore, who connects heaven and earth: he is the only Mediator who reaches from heaven down to earth, and he is the medium through which the fullness of all celestial blessings flows down to us, and through which we, in turn, ascend to God.

It is he who, being the head over angels, causes them to minister to his earthly members. Therefore, (as we read in John 1:51) he properly claims this honor for himself: that after he has been manifested in the world, angels shall ascend and descend. If, then, we say that the ladder is a figure of Christ, the exposition will not be forced.

For the analogy of a ladder well suits the Mediator, through whom ministering angels, righteousness and life, with all the graces of the Holy Spirit, descend to us step by step. We also, who were not only fixed to the earth, but plunged into the depths of the curse, and into hell itself, ascend even to God.

Also, the God of hosts is seated on the ladder, because the fullness of the Deity dwells in Christ; and this is also why it reaches to heaven. For although all power is committed even to his human nature by the Father, he still would not truly sustain our faith unless he were God manifested in the flesh.

And the fact that the body of Christ is finite, does not prevent him from filling heaven and earth, because his grace and power are everywhere diffused. Hence also, as Paul testifies, he ascended into heaven that he might fill all things. Those who translate the particle על (al) with the word “near,” entirely destroy the sense of the passage.

For Moses wishes to state that the fullness of the Godhead dwelt in the person of the Mediator. Christ not only approached us but clothed himself in our nature, that he might make us one with himself. That the ladder was a symbol of Christ is also confirmed by this consideration: that nothing was more suitable than that God should ratify his covenant of eternal salvation in his Son to his servant Jacob.

And hence we feel unspeakable joy when we hear that Christ, who so far excels all creatures, is nevertheless joined with us. The majesty, indeed, of God, which here presents itself conspicuously to view, ought to inspire terror; so that every knee should bow to Christ, that all creatures should look up to him and adore him, and that all flesh should keep silence in his presence.

But his friendly and lovely image is at the same time depicted; that we may know by his descent that heaven is opened to us, and the angels of God are made familiar to us. For thus we have fraternal fellowship with them, since the common Head of both them and us has his place on earth.