登天梯

亲爱的小文：

你注意到警察局里消防车上的云梯（ladder）了吗？那zhong梯子升起来很高，可高出一百英尺。美国underworldslang把ladder叫zuoJacob，你知dao是谁吗？

JacobwasthesonofIsaac，andthefatherofthe12sonswhofoundedtheTwelveTribesofIsrael，accordingtotheOldTestament。He波ughthisolderbrotherEsausbirthrightwitha波wlofsavorystew（“messofpottage”）。Later，JacobenforcedhisclaimbypretendingtohisblindandagedfatherthathehimselfwasEsau。Thus，heobtainedfromIsaacthewordsofblessingIsaachadmeantforEsau。EsauwassoangrythatJacobfledforhislife。

OnthewaytohisuncleLaban，JacobsleptataplacecalledBethel，wherehedreamedofawonderfulladderbetweenheavenandearth。Inthedream，Godpromisedtoprotectandblesshimwhilehewasawayfromhome。Muchencouraged，JacobtontoLabanshome。TherehefellonlovewithLabansdaughter，Rachel。ButLabanforcedJacobtomarryhidolderdaughter。Leah，beforehecouldhaveRachelforhiswife。Afterworking20yearsforLaban，Jacobleftforhome。

Ontheway，JacobprayedallnightuntilGodreassuredhimthatEsauwouldsparehislife。Esaumethimwithforgiveness，andtheypartedgoodfriends。JacobspenthislastyearsinEgypt，wherehissonJosephbroughthimtolive。

EsauwasthesonofIsaacandRebecca，andtwinbrotherofJacobintheBible。HeisamaincharacterinmanystoriesfoundinGenesis25-33。ThebestknownareJ