The two most significant events in Jacob's life were nocturnal encounters with God. The first scene is the famous Jacob's ladder dream found in Genesis 28:11-22. Jacob set out in fear of Esau's death threats and at "a certain place" he lay down to sleep. During the night he had a dream of a huge stairway (probably more like the ancient Mesopotamian ziggurats) connecting heaven and earth. At the top was the Lord, who promised his presence, protection, and innumerable descendants. Jacob, upon waking, set up a memorial and named the place Bethel, which means "house of God."
