Genesis 28:20

_AND JACOB VOWED A VOW, SAYING, IF GOD WILL BE WITH ME, AND WILL KEEP ME IN THIS WAY THAT I GO, AND WILL GIVE ME BREAD TO EAT, AND RAIMENT TO PUT ON,_ Jacob vowed a vow. This vow has often been presented in a light injurious to the character of Jacob, as indicating that his mind was so wholly engrossed with his present state and necessities that he felt no interest in the temporal blessings guaranteed to his posterity, or in the spiritual good which, through their medium, would be conveyed, in remote ages, to the world at large; and that, so far from having exalted views of the providential government of God, he confined his thoughts exclusively to his personal affairs and his immediate protection, as well as suspended his devotedness to the divine service on the condition of God's pledges being redeemed. But it should be borne in mind that it was in consequence of the vision, and of th...

20._And Jacob vowed a vow_. The design of this vow was, that Jacob would manifest his gratitude, if God should prove favorable unto him. Thus they offered peace-offerings under the law, to testify their gratitude; and since thanksgiving is a sacrifice of a sweet odour, the Lord declares vows of this nature to be acceptable to him; and therefore we must also have respect to this point, when we are asked _what _and _how _it is lawful to vow to God; for some are too fastidious, who would utterly condemn all vows rather than open the door to superstitions. But if the rashness of those persons is perverse, who indiscriminately pour forth their vows, we must also beware lest we become like those on the opposite side, who disallow all vows without exception. Now, in order that a vow may be lawful and pleasing to God, it is first necessary that it should tend to a right end; and next, that men s...

20-22 Jacob made a solemn vow on this occasion. In this observe, 1. Jacob's faith. He trusts that God will be with him, and will keep him; he depends upon it. 2. Jacob's moderation in his desires. He asks not for soft clothing and dainty meat. If God give us much, we are bound to be thankful, and to use it for him; if he gives us but little, we are bound to be content, and cheerfully to enjoy him in it. 3. Jacob's piety, and his regard to God, appear in what he desired, that God would be with him, and keep him. We need desire no more to make us easy and happy. Also his resolution is, to cleave to the Lord, as his God in covenant. When we receive more than common mercy from God, we should abound in gratitude to him. The tenth is a fit proportion to be devoted to God, and employed for him; though it may be more or less, as God prospers us, 1 Corinthians 16:2. Let us then remember our Beth...

Verse Genesis 28:20. _VOWED A VOW_] A vow is a solemn, holy promise, by which a man bound himself to do certain things in a particular way, time, c., and for power to accomplish which he depended on God hence all vows were made with prayer. _IF GOD WILL BE WITH ME, C._] Jacob seems to make this vow rather for his _posterity_ than for _himself_, as we may learn from Genesis 28:13-1 for he particularly refers to the promises which God had made to him, which concerned the _multiplication of his_ _offspring_, and _their establishment_ in _that_ land. If, then, God shall fulfil these promises, he binds his _posterity_ to build God a house, and to devote for the maintenance of his worship the _tenth_ of all their earthly goods. Th

- Jacob’s Journey to Haran 3. קהל _qâhāl_, “congregation.” 9. מחלת _māchălat_, Machalath, “sickness, or a harp.” 19. לוּז _lûz_, Luz, “almond.” The blessing of his sons was the last passage in the active life of Isaac, after which he retires from the scene. Jacob now becomes the leading figure in the sacred history. His spiritual character has yet come out to view. But even now we can discern the general distinction in the lives of the three patriarchs. Abraham’s is a life of authority and decision; Isaac’s, of submission and acquiescence; and Jacob’s, of trial and struggle. Genesis 28:1 Isaac has now become alive to the real destiny of Jacob. He therefore calls for

EXPOSITION GENESIS 28:10 AND JACOB WENT OUT FROM BEERSHEBA,—in obedience to his father's commandment to seek a wife (Genesis 28:2), but also in compliance with his mother's counsel to evade the wrath of Esau (Genesis 27:43; cf. Hosea 12:12. On Beersheba _vide _Genesis 21:31; Genesis 26:33—AND WENT TOWARDS HARAN—probably along the route traversed by Abraham's servant (cf....

AND JACOB VOWED A VOW,.... Which is the first vow we read of in Scripture: SAYING, IF GOD WILL BE WITH ME; the word if is not a sign of doubting, but is either an adverb of time, and may be rendered, "when God shall be with me" t; or as a supposition, expressive of an inference or conclusion drawn, "seeing God will be with me" u; which he had the utmost reason to believe he would, since he had not only promised it, but had so lately granted him his presence in a very singular and remarkable manner, referring to the promise of God, Genesis 28:15: AND WILL KEEP ME IN THIS WAY THAT I GO; as he had said he would, and as hitherto he had, and for the future he had reason to believe he still would: AND WILL GIVE ME BREAD TO EAT, AND RAIMENT TO PUT ON; which is included in that clause, "I will not leave thee", c....

CHAPTER 28 JACOB'S DEPARTURE TO PADAN-ARAM AND HIS VISION _ 1. Isaac sends Jacob away and gives his blessing (Genesis 28:1)_ 2. Esau's action (Genesis 28:6) 3. Jacob's vision and vow (Genesis 28:10) We enter with this upon the interesting wanderings of the third patriarch, Jacob. God was pleased to reveal Himself to the three illustrious men, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as He did not before. In Exodus 3:4 Jehovah reveals Himself to Moses and Jehovah calls Himself “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. This is My name forever.” In Abraham, as we have seen, we have the type of the Father; in

YAHWEH REVEALS HIMSELF TO JACOB AT BETHEL. This section is taken from J and E. To E Genesis 28:11 f., Genesis 28:17 f., Genesis 28:20_ a_, Genesis 28:22 may be assigned, to J Genesis 28:10; Genesis 28:13, and perhaps Genesis 28:19_ a_. This may be an insertion, so perhaps Genesis 2

JACOB VOWED,... IF GOD WILL BE WITH ME. Jacob's vision is followed up properly by. vow. Special privileges and promises make special obligations. God had in the revelation made certain promises. Jacob vows that he will make certain returns, such as were in his power, for what the Lord promised. Some have said that Jacob made. commercial bargain, because he said he would do thus and thus _if_ God did thus and thus. There is nothing of the kind. God had said that he would make Jacob the heir of the covenant made with Abraham and Isaac and give him all that he had promised them. Jacob, not questioning at all the promise, says, "If God does these things that he has promised then," etc. He is not making. condition, but recites the promise as the ground of obligation for his vow. Christ said, "I, if. be lifted up, will draw all men unto me." This expresses no doubt about being lifted up, but m...