Genesis 28

Genesis 28:1

BLessed him] This second blessing is to confirme Jacobs faith, and to assure him that he was constant to his first benediction, Chap. 27. vers. 33. though when his tongue blessed him, his mind was upon Esau; and that though it were on his part procured by craft, yet God did now by his fatherly authoritie ratifie it unto him.

of the daughters of Canaan] See Annot. on Chap. 24. 3.

Genesis 28:2

Arise, goe] Though Isaac himselfe was not sent to fetch him a wife from his fathers kindred, yet Jacob is to goe in his own person; for it was not safe for him, for feare of Esaus bloody threats to stay at home, (though this were a reason rather to Rebekah then to Isaac) and there was lesse doubt of his returne then of Isaacs if he had gone, because there was more invitation to Jacob, his wife to accompany him backe to his countrey, since there were some of her fathers family, and of neerer kindred there already, then when Rebekah was married.

Padan Aram] See the Annot. on Chap. 25. 20.

Genesis 28:3

God Almightie] See the Annot. on Genesis 17:1.

Genesis 28:4

The blessing of Abraham] He had his fathers blessing already, and now he blesseth him in his grandfathers name, who had the originall grant of especiall grace to descend upon his seed; by this his faith might be further confirmed, and his courage, and comfort the better supported in his solitary journey.

stranger] The godly fathers were put in minde continually that they were but strangers in this world, to the intent that they should lift up their eyes to the heavens, where they should have a sure dwelling, Hebrews 11:9. 10. Psalms 39:12.

gave to Abraham] By promise, for he had not the possession of it himselfe; yet it might be said to be given to him, because it was given to his posteritie for his sake.

Genesis 28:5

The Syrian] See the Annot. on Genesis 25:20.

Genesis 28:9

To Ishmael] That is, to the family of Ishmael; for he was now dead; whose age of 137. yeares, and his death is set down, Genesis 25:17.

Mahalath] Called also Bashemath. Genesis 36:3.

the daughter of Ishmael] His fathers brother; so now he had three wives, for he had two before, Genesis 26:34. By this third marriage he thought to make amends for the two first, and to please his father better then before; but that choice made him a worse husband by miltiplication of wives, and not the better sonne, for being the sonne of a free-man, he should not have matched himselfe with the issue of a bond-woman, a stranger from the covenant. The changes of the wicked are not from evill to good, but from one evill to another.

sister of Nebaioth] The eldest sonne of Ishmael, and now his father being dead the chiefe of his family.

Genesis 28:10

towards Haran] Or, Charran, as it is called, Acts 7:2. which is conceived by some to be situate from Beersheba (whence Jacob came) five hundred English miles; certainly it was very farre off, for Jacob flying from Laban, would make as much hast as he could to get out of his reach, and Laban pursuing him as fast as he could to recover his stollen gods from him, overtooke him not untill the seventh dayes journey, Genesis 31:23. and after that he had a good way to goe to the place of his abode.

Genesis 28:11

stones—for pillows] The Sun being set he was put to take up his lodging in the field, taking the ground for a bed, and a stone for a pillow; the servant of his grandfather went out like a Lord into that Countrey (and so he is slyled by Rebekah Jacobs mother, Genesis 24:18.) having tenne Camels for his service, and other things sutable; but Jacob the blessed heire both of Abraham, and Isaac, is sent that long journey alone on foot with a staffe in his hand, Genesis 32:10. which was partly for more privacie of his departure, lest Esau should way lay him in his going towards Haran, which he did in his coming thence with foure hundred men, Genesis 32:6. but especially to give an example of patience to the godly, and of confidence in God, whose providence was the more apparent towards him, by how much he had the lesse aid of humane meanes; and withall to instruct us, that Gods children must expect their portion of blessing rather in spirituall, then temporall comforts.

Genesis 28:12

dreamed] See Annot. on Genesis 20:3.

ladder] Christ is that Ladder by which God and man are joyned together; and by whom the Angels minister unto us; all graces by him descend upon us, and we by him ascend into heaven. The upper part of this Ladder is taken by some to signifie his Divinity, and the lower his humanity.

Angels of God ascending and] To this representation made to Jacob our Saviour alludeth, and applieth the ascending, and descending of Angels unto himself, John 1:51. the words are descending upon him, but they may be read either descending above him; as those who waite on him when he cometh down from heaven to Judgement, for when he descendeth, the Angels that follow after him in place will bee above him, as some may be below him, some on each side of him: or, unto him, as having reference unto him in all their ministrations, whether from God unto men, or from men unto God: or, by descending upon him, may be meant the placing, & founding upon him of all the heavenly favours, which by the ministery of Angels God communicateth to his Church, and thereby also may particularly be understood the ministery of Angels which they exhibited to him after his temptation, Matthew 4:11. in his passion, Luke 22. vers. 43. at his resurrection, John 20:12. and aseension into heaven, Acts 1:11.

ascending and descending] They are stil in motion, never idle, and as ready to descend, and to be humbled; as to ascend, and to be exalted: their diligence, and obedience is a patterne for us, Matth 6. 10. and their continuall entercourse betwixt heaven, and earth, as spirits ministring for their sakes, who are heires of salvation, Hebrews 1:14. may be matter of confidence to Gods children, against the might, and malignitie both of devils, and men: by this (though Angels may heare our prayers, and see our teares) they are not made Mediatours of intercession betwixt God and us, or to be served either with supplications, or vowes; for notwithstanding this vision, Jacob did not so account of them, nor apply himselfe unto them.

Genesis 28:13

to thee will I give] He enjoyed this promise onely by faith, concerning his seed, for all his life-time himselfe was a stranger in this Land: so then to thee and to thy seed, must thee and to thy seed, must be to thee in thy seed, for they had that in possession, and having the possession for his sake it was a gift in favour to him.

Genesis 28:14

as dust of the earth] See Annot. on Chap. 13. 16. See also Chap. 32. 12. & Numbers 23:10.

thy seed] Chap. 22. vers. 18.

families of the earth be blessed] (Genesis 12:3. & Genesis 18:18. Acts 3:25. Galatians 3:8.) By this is meant chiefly spirituall blessings flowing from the vertue of the promised seed Christ Jesus, and from him diffused to all the faithfull, of what Family, Nation, or Countrey soever.

Genesis 28:15

I am with thee] * In this free and full expression of Gods favour, we see how good a master he is to a true, and faithfull servant; if we would have him such a one to us, we must be such as Jacob was to him. * Jud. 6. 16. Isaiah 43:2. Jeremiah 1:19.

untill] This untill is an extensive, not an exclusive word, giving assurance of an especiall time, wherein there is no doubt; but not excluding, or denying the time following, as Matthew 28:20.

Genesis 28:16

and I knew it not] God is present every where, but especially with the godly; and not onely then when they are apprehensive of him, but when they perceive no evidence of his presence, as Job confesseth, He goeth by me, and I see him not; he passeth on also, but I perceive him not, Job 9:11. Or, it may be when he said, he knew not that God was there, he ment that such Apparitions were peculiar to the family of the faithfull, and that he did not thinke, God would so have revealed himselfe in that place.

Genesis 28:17

afraid] Any strange Apparition, though glorious, and gratious, affects mans frailtie with feare, because of his sinne: see Matthew 17:6. Luke 2:9. & Luke 8:35. Revelation 1:17. but besides he was touched with a godly feare and reverence; Gods professed favour, and familiaritie did not breed contempt, but a reverend awe, and dread of his Almightie Majestie, which David professeth when he saith, I will come into thine house in the multitude of thy mercy; and in thy feare will I worship toward thine holy Temple, Psalms 5:7.

the house of God] He cals it Gods house where God, and his holy Angels, who are of his houshold, are especially present; and in regard of that presence, he thinkes it a fit place for the building of God an House, Altar, or a place for especiall worship, vers. 22.

the gate of heaven] The Church Militant here below hath such neere reference to heaven the Church Triumphant above, that he that is truely a member of the one, may come to knock at the gate of the other, and have it opened unto him, Matthew 7:7.

Genesis 28:18

a pillar] (Genesis 35:14. 20. Isaiah 19:19. 2 Samuel 18:18.) Or, Statue, which was neither any great thing (for it was no more then one man himselfe could reare,) nor any artificiall thing, (for Jacob had no tooles, and it is like no skill to use them, for such a worke) but it was such a setting up of stone, or stones piled one upon another, as on the sudden he could make, for a thankfull memoriall of Gods gracious apparition to him in that place.

and poured oyle] Which he might the next day fetch from the Citie (being not farre off) and might returne to the place againe; or take with him from home in a viall, or bottle to annoint or refresh himselfe, or to apply in way of medicine, if he had need, and he poured it out upon the pillar as an oblation unto the Lord: (as he did in his returne, Genesis 35:14.) Or, as David poured out the water of the well of Bethlehem unto the Lord, 2 Samuel 23:16. And if this pouring out of oyle were a consecration of that pillar, or place to an holy use, as Exodus 30. vers. 26. & 40. 9. it makes not for the popish practice in their superstitious consecration of Churches, and the utensils, or appurtenances belonging to them; for this oyle was not it selfe first consecrated, nor poured out with holinesse, or superstitious benedictions; nor did Jacob any thing therein but by divine instinct & instruicton; nor did he conceive any inherent holines in the place: O but whatsoever estimation or appropriation there was of religious places in the Old Testament, as the Temple of Jerusalem had the preeminence for holy use above all other places, in the New Testament that difference is taken aken away, John 4. from vers. 20. to the 24. so that God may be served as acceptably in the Assemblies of the Saints, in Christian Churches, and Chappels, as in the Temple at Jerusalem; and in times of persecution in private houses, mountaines, or dens, or caves of the earth, Hebrews 11:38. Yea wheresoever men lift up pure hands without wrath or doubting, 1 Timothy 2:8. as well as in the fairest Temples.

Genesis 28:19

Bethel] A Citie neere the place of this apparition conceived to be about thirtie English miles distant from Shechem. The word signifieth the house of God; which afterwards was turned by Jeroboam into a place of Idolatry, for there he set up one of his golden Calves, 1 King. 12. 28, 29. and for that abomination the name of it was after that changed into Bethaven, Hosea 4:15. & Chap. 10. 5. that is, the house of iniquitie, or vanity: so the House of God by course of time, and the corruption of men may be turned into the house of the Devil; true Religion is preserved in the persons of the godly, not in the places of godlinesse; so Rome once the Church of God (by Apostasie from the truth) is of Gods Church become the devils Chappell; of a Bethel, a Babel.

Luz] Of this Apparition Jacob maketh mention by the name of Luz, which, as it was the more ancient name, so in Jacobs time it was yet in use, Genesis 35:6. but whether called Bethel, or Luz, it was a Citie situate upon an high hill in that portion of the Land of Canaan, which by lot sell to the Tribe of Benjamin, Ardich. Delph. Theat. p. 16. Quest. How is it then that Jacob lay in the field when Bethel where God appeared unto him was a Citie? Answ. It is not like that he lodged in a Citie, because he had but a stone for a pillow, but probable that being benighted he lay in some field, not farre off, that might be a part of the Territories belonging to the Citie next unto it, and so might be called by the name of the City, at least by him who being a stranger there (for it was about fiftie miles off the place of his dwelling) knew no other name of the place.

Genesis 28:20

bread and raiment] Grace and nature are contented with a little. See 1 Timothy 6:8.

Genesis 28:22

This stoue shall be Gods house] By Gods house, is meant a place of worship; that place in those times was chiefly an Altar; and of that stone with others, he meant to make an Altar, and thereon to offer his oblations. The word Beth here used for an house, may be taken for any place of repose, or for that which receives, or holds another thing, as (besides an house for the habitation of men) the forehead, Exodus 28:38. is rendred in the Thargum (or exposition of the Bible in the Chaldean Tongue) the house of the eyes; and a vaile, in Exodus 34:35. the house of the face: and the Hebrewes of latter time call a glove, or mitten, Beth-etsbegnoth, that is, the house of the fingers: so the grave is called the house appointed for all living when they be dead, Job 30:23. and all this with reference unto man, and with respect to other creatures, the Sparrowes nest in the Hebrew, is the Sparrowes house, Psalms 84:3. and the Firre-trees are said to be an house for the Storke, Psalms 104:17. and the holes in the Rocks the houses of the Conies, Proverbs 30:26. and the Spiders web is called the Spiders house, Job 8:14. By Gods house then we are not to understand a Church, (for there were no such houses in those dayes) nor a place of any great capacitie or receit, but a place of worship; which place might be an Altar, that Altar made of that stone, as the principall part of it: for here did Jacob build an Altar, and offer an oblation upon it in his returne, Genesis 35:7. 14.

tenth] See the Annot. on Chap. 14. 20.