_A.M. 2244. B.C. 1760._ We have here, (1,) _ Jacob's parting with his parents to go to Padan-aram; the charge his father gave him, Genesis 28:1, the blessing he sent him away with, Genesis 28:3, his obedience to the orders given him, Genesis 28:5, and the influence this had upon Esau, Genesis 28:6... [ Continue Reading ]
_Isaac blessed him_ That is, purposely and designedly, and in faith now confirmed that blessing to him, which before he had given him unknowingly. And hereby God confirmed Jacob's faith against doubts and fears, and comforted him against future troubles that might befall him. _And charged him_ Those... [ Continue Reading ]
This passage comes in, in the midst of Jacob's story, to show the influence of good example. Esau now begins to think Jacob the _better_ man, and disdains not to take him for his pattern in this particular instance of marrying a daughter of Abraham.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Esau went unto Ishmael_ That is, the family of Ishmael, for Ishmael himself, no doubt, was dead before this time, (see Genesis 25:17,) and took Mahalath to be his wife. It is probable that he thought by this means to ingratiate himself with his father, and so to get another and a better blessing. B... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jacob went out from Beer-sheba_ Unattended and alone, God, in his wise providence, so ordering it, for the greater illustration of his care over, and kindness toward him. But the great simplicity, humility, and innocence of those times, made many things usual then, which would now appear ridiculous... [ Continue Reading ]
The _stones for his pillows_, and the heavens for his canopy! Yet his comfort in the divine blessing, and his confidence in the divine protection, made him easy, even when he lay thus exposed: being sure that his God made him to dwell in safety, he could lie down and sleep upon a stone!... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold a ladder set up on the earth_ This might represent, 1st, The _providence of God_, by which there is a _constant correspondence kept up_ between heaven and earth. The counsels of heaven are executed on earth, and the affairs of this earth are all known in heaven. Providence doth his work grad... [ Continue Reading ]
_In thy seed shall the families of the earth be blessed_ All that are blessed, whatever family they are of, are blessed in Christ, and none of any family are excluded from blessedness in him, but those that exclude themselves.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, I am with thee_ Wherever we are, we are safe, if we have God's favourable presence with us. _He_ knew not, but _God_ foresaw, what hardships he would meet with in his uncle's service, and therefore promiseth to preserve him _in all places._ God gives his people graces and comforts accommoda... [ Continue Reading ]
_Surely the Lord is in this place; I knew it not_ God's manifestations of himself to his people carry their own evidence along with them. God can give undeniable demonstrations of his presence, such as give abundant satisfaction to the souls of the faithful, that God is with them of a truth; satisfa... [ Continue Reading ]
_He was afraid_ So far was he from being puffed up with this divine vision. The more we see of God, the more cause we see for holy fear and blushing before him. Those to whom God is pleased to manifest himself, are laid and kept very low in their own eyes, and see cause to fear even “the Lord and hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_He set up the stone for a pillar_ To mark the place against he came back, and erect a lasting monument of God's favour to him: and because he had not time now to build an altar here, as Abraham did in the places where God appeared to him, Genesis 12:7, he therefore “poured oil on the top of this st... [ Continue Reading ]
It had been called _Luz_, an _almond-tree_, but he will have it henceforward called _Beth-el_, the _house of God._ This gracious appearance of God to him made it more remarkable than all the _almond-trees_ that flourished there.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jacob vowed a vow_ That is, bound himself by a solemn promise and obligation. This being the first instance of a religious vow which occurs in Scripture, it may be proper to observe, that such a vow is a binding of the soul by a solemn and voluntary promise, made to God, to do, or more carefully to... [ Continue Reading ]