Once upon a time, there was a young man named Jacob. He was traveling alone, walking far away from his home. The sun was setting, and the sky was painted with soft pink and orange colors. Jacob felt tired and decided to rest for the night.
He found a smooth stone and used it as a pillow. As he lay down on the ground, the stars began to twinkle like tiny diamonds in the dark sky. Suddenly, Jacob had a wonderful dream. He saw a tall ladder reaching from the earth all the way up to heaven!
Angels were going up and down the ladder, shining bright like little stars. Jacob felt amazed and a little bit scared. “What is this place?” he wondered quietly. The ladder looked like a bridge between God’s home and the world where people live.
Then, Jacob heard a gentle voice. It was God speaking to him! God said, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham. The land you are lying on, I will give it to you and your children. Your children will be many, like the dust of the earth.”
Jacob’s heart felt warm and happy. God promised to take care of him and his family. God also said, “I am with you. I will keep you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land.” What a wonderful promise from God!
When Jacob woke up, the sun was shining bright. He looked at the stone pillow and said, “Surely, the Lord is in this place! I didn’t know it!” Jacob was full of joy and wanted to tell everyone about God’s promise.
He made a special promise to God too. He said, “If God will be with me, and keep me safe on this journey, then the Lord will be my God.” Jacob felt brave and loved because God was always near.
This dream showed Jacob that God watches over us, even when we feel all alone. God’s love is like a ladder reaching from heaven to earth, bringing us close to Him. And just like Jacob, we can trust God to guide us every day.
Questions to think about
- What did Jacob use as a pillow when he slept?
- What did Jacob see in his dream?
- Who was going up and down the ladder?
- What did God promise Jacob?
- How did Jacob feel when he woke up?
Message of the story
God loves us very much and promises to be with us always. He watches over us and helps us, just like He did with Jacob.
Bible passage
Genesis 28:10-22 (WEB)
10 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran.
11 He came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of that place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place.
12 He dreamed, and saw a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. Angels of God were going up and down on it.
13 The Lord 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 your descendants.
14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west, east, north, and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed in you and your descendants.
15 Look, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
16 Jacob woke up from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I didn’t know
