Genesis 28
DOYLYChap. XXVIII. ver. 1.—blessed him.] Renewed and confirmed his former blessing, that it might not be thought of less force, because procured by artifice and salubry. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 28:4
4.—the blessing of Abraham.] That blessing, not only temporal, but spiritual, which was promised to Abraham, chap. xii. 2, 3; xvii. 19; xxii. 17, 18; and was by God Himself transferred to Isaac, chap. xxv. 11, and xvi. 3; and is here by Isaac assured to Jacob and his seed. Bp. Kidder.
Genesis 28:10
- And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba.] Isaac’s life was not more retired and quiet, than Jacob’s was busy and troublesome. In the one I see the image of contemplation; of action, in the other. None of the Patriarchs saw so evil days as he; from whom justly hath the Church of God therefore taken her name. Neither were the faithful ever since called Abrahamites, but Israelites. As an emblem of his future lot, he began his strife in the womb: after that, he flies for his life from a cruel brother to a cruel uncle. With a staff goes he over Jordan alone, doubtful and comfortless, not like the son of Isaac. In the way the earth is his bed, and a stone his pillow; yet even there he sees a vision of angels. Jacob’s heart was never so full of joy, as when his head lay hardest. God is most present with us in our greatest dejection; and loves to give comfort to those that are forsaken of their hopes. Bp. Hall.
Genesis 28:12
12.—behold a ladder &c.] This ladder, according to the sense of the best interpreters, is an emblem of the
saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;
Genesis 28:18
- — took the stone,— and set it up &c.] That it might preserve the memory of this heavenly vision; and serve as a token to point out to him the place, when God should bring him back again. He afterwards poured oil upon it, to consecrate it as a monument of God’s great mercy to him. Hence arose the Pagan custom of anointing stones, and consecrating them to the memory of great men after their death, and falling down, and worshipping before them; a proof, how the best and noblest acts of piety may be perverted into a foolish and degrading superstition. This idolatrous practice arose very early: whence Moses forbade the erecting of such pillars, they being in his time converted to a profane use. Bp. Patrick, Stackhouse.
Genesis 28:19
- — the name of that city] Which was near the place where this pillar was set up. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 28:20
- — Jacob vowed a vow,] Annotators have observed, that this is the first vow we read of in Scripture. Jacob however appears to have done no more, than his father had done before him. When, for example, the Lord is said to have made a covenant with Abraham, it must be supposed that Abraham on his part expressed his consent and acceptance; and not only so, but vowed and promised to perform the conditions, in order to attain the benefits of it. Biblioth. Bibl. — and will give me bread &c.] To work our own contentment, we should not labour so much to increase our substance, as to moderate our desires. Jacob did not propose to himself any great endowments, rich revenues, and large possessions: but only “bread to eat, and raiment to put on.” No matter of what coarse grain, so it were but bread to give nourishment, and maintain life. No matter for the stuff or fashion, so it were but raiment to cover nakedness, and to keep off heat and cold. Neither doth St. Paul speak of any choicer or costlier gifts: “Having food and raiment,” saith he, “let us be therewith content,” 1 Tim. vi. 8. He saith not delicacies, but food; not ornaments, but raiment, coverings. Bp. Sanderson. The conditions of Jacob’s vow seem to denote the secret wish and desire of his soul, and not any express stipulation with God. Man certainly cannot insist on terms with his Maker; but he may desire and humbly hope for a supply of his wants. More than this the Patrarch did not expect; and less than this God never intended to give. “Our heavenly Father knows that we have need of food to eat and raiment to put on;” and it is a renunciation of our dependence upon His providential goodness not to ask them. To serve God for no consideration, but that of His own glory, is a notion, that may well enough comport with our future exalted state, when we shall “hunger no more, neither thirst any more,” and where our service will always be attended with vision; but while we are invested with these weak and frail bodies, they and their concerns will tenderly affect us: and God, who “considers whereof we are made,” expects no other than that they should. Stackhouse.
Genesis 28:21
- — then shall the Lord be my God.] I will suffer no idolatry in my house or family. Bp. Wilson. He does not mean, that he would not worship God, if He did not bring him home in peace: for the right which God has to the service and homage of His creatures is absolute and inalienable; but that, if He did, he would perform some special service to Him, and worship Him with extraordinary devotion. Bp. Patrick, Stackhouse.
Genesis 28:22
- — I will surely give the tenth unto thee.] The tithe of all his income, saith Josephus: for the maintenance of burnt sacrifices, and other pious purposes; perhaps also for the relief of the poor; the order of priesthood being not yet instituted. This is the second mention of tithes or tenths, and