Observations Upon the Old Testament, Genesis · Chapter 28
CHAP. XXVIII.
Ver. 1. ANd blessed him] Isaac was constant to his first blessing, notwithstanding Jacobs craft in getting it Jacob had need of this second blessing to confirme his faith against his future troubles and trials; Isaac therefore by his fatherly authority, now wittingly and willingly settles it on him again.
V. 2. Arise, go] Isaac was not; but his fathers servant, ch. 24. 3, 4. 5, 6. And he with ten camels, &c. Jacob here with his staffe in his hand, ch. 32. 10. and to serve for a wife, Hos. 12. 12.
thy mothe…s brother] Cousin-germans marry.
V. 3. A multitude of people] Chapter 35. 11. 48. 4.
V. 4. The blessing of Abraham] His Grandfather, who had the Original grant of the blessings, both temporal and spiritual, earthly and heavenly, made over to him and his seed, and the blessing chiefly of the promised seed.
art a stranger] Ch. 17. 8. This is to prevent the weakening of his faith, by being but a stranger in it still, as also his father and Grandfather were.
unto Abraham] By Promise, ch. 12. 7. and often repeated.
V. 5. Of B… thuel the Aramite] Syrian. So Luke translateth the word, Luke 4. 27.
V. 9. To Ishmael] The Ishmaelites, for he was dead, ch. 25. 17.
Mahalath] Called also Basemath, ch. 36. 3.
sister] By the same mother at least, if not father.
Nebaioth] Ishmaels eldest sonne, ch. 25. 13. From him Esau had his sister to wife, Ishmael being now dead. Esau and she were Cousin-germans; two brothers children. This Esau did to please his father, and strengthen himself by the Ishmaelites against Jacob. And now he hath three wives, assoon likely as Jacob had any.
V. 10. From Beersheba] Ch. 26. 23.
toward Haran] Charran, Acts 7. 2. a long journey; seven dayes journey in Labans pursuit to Mount Gilead, ch. 31. 22, 23. which Mount stretched through the two tribes, and 1/2 beyond Jordan Eastward. And now was Jacob seventy five or seventy six yeares old. See Annot. on ch. 29. 21.
V. 11. And he lighted] By Gods Providence, chap. 32. 10.
because the Sun was set] And so, or for wearinesse, he did not reach Luz, after called Bethel. Though it were hard by, v. 19. It is conceived to be near fifty English miles distant from Beer-sheba; and from Jerusalem eight miles Northward.
for his pillowes] Hard distresse. He went so meanly from his parents, or haply stole away in a sort, lest Esau should lie in wait for him by the way; as he did at his returne, ch. 32. 6. Abrahams servant went with great state, so that Rebekah calls him Lord, ch. 24. 18. But Jacob with his staffe in his hand, ch. 32. 10.
V. 12. Dreamed] A divine dream; See Annot. on ch. 15. 1. and on ch. 20. 3.
Ladder] Signifying Christ, John 1. 51. In his two natures personally united; Heaven and earth are as it were joyned together. And by him the only Mediatour is man reconciled to God. Colos. 1. 20. by him the Angels for our service, and the Holy Ghost and his gifts descend down to us, and we and our prayers have accesse and ascend unto God. And secondarily, hereby is signified the Providence of God in governing the world, Psal. 113. 5, 6. and particularly, his provident care over Jacob, in his journey going and returning, v. 13, 15. and 32. 1, 2. And both these, specially by the Ministery of Angels, Psal. 91. 11, 12. Heb. 1. 13, 14.
earth] Denoting Christs humanity, and his conversing with men, Joh. 16. 28.
Heaven] Denoting his Deity and Mediation, or negotiation for men with God, Heb. 8. 1. 9. 24. John 14. 6.
ascending] Coming and going, looking with desire into the mysteries of Christ, 1 Pet. 1. 12. ministring unto him, Mar. 1. 13. at his Tentation, Mat. 4. 11. in his Passion, Luke 22. 43. at his Resurrection, John 20. 12. and Ascension, Acts 1. 11. And ministring through him unto his people.
V. 13. The Lord stood] Jehovah; His Providence over us in Christ: I am the Lord God of Abraham, ch. 17. 7. Heb. 11. 16. And this teacheth the Resurrection of the dead, Luke 20. 37, 38.
to thee and to thy seed] To thee in thy seed, when yet he had no wife or childe
V. 14. And thy seed] Renewes the Promise to him, and states it in him, which was formerly made to Abraham, and to Isaac, Act. 3. 25.
all the families] So the Promise pertaines to us; we may say with the Prophet, God found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us, Hos. 12. 4.
V. 15. I am with thee] The like Promise made at his return, ch. 31▪ 3.
in all] God giving his sonne, doth with him give all things also, Rom. 8. 32. 1 Tim 4. 8.
not leave thee] Josh. 1. 5. Heb. 13. 5.
untill] Not excluding the time following. As, Mat. 28. 20.
V. 16. And I knew it not] Being awaked, he perceived that God had appeared to him there: admires at it, and his goodnesse in it: that not only in his Fathers house, but even there God vouchsafed such Apparitions, Job 9. 11.
V. 17. Afraid] Such glorious, though gracious Apparitions, affects mans frailty with feare because of his sin, Mat. 17. 6. Luke. 2. 9. 8. 35. Rev. 1. 17. See Annot. on ch. 16. 13.
the house of God] He thinks this therefore a fit place for the building of an House to God, v. 22. 1 Tim. 3. 15.
V. 18. The stone] Or heap of stones, v. 11. or else some one of them.
pillar] Some extemporary pile of stones raised by him afore on the sudden, without tooles, as a thankful memorial of Gods gracious Apparition in that place. This likely being after demolished, he erects about thirty yeares after a new pillar of stone upon another Apparition in the same place, ch. 35. 14, 15. This here was a religious signe and monument as Altars also were, Esay 19. 19. There were also pillars for civil monuments, as Rachels pillar on her grave, ch. 35. 20. and Absaloms pillar, 2 Sam. 18. 18. the pillar Galecd, Gen. 31. 45, 47, 52. But when the Law was given by Moses, pillars for religious use were forbidden, Lev. 26. 1▪ Deut. 16. 22. in the margin, Hos. 10. 1. And the pillars of idolaters commanded to be broken down, Deut. 12 3. 7. 5.
and poured oile] Which he had for food, or to anoint his body in travel. Jacob poured it on the top or the pillar to consecrate it for holy use. Thus oile of consecration in use before the Law of Moses. So again, ch. 35. 14. As after in the Law there was an anointing oile, to sanctifie the things used in Gods service, Exod. 25. 6. 30. 22, 25, 29, to 34. 40. 9, to 16. Or rather here Jacob poured it as to an offering of thanksgiving to God; having no other sacrifice at hand. As David poured out the water of the Well of Bethlehem, 2 Sam. 23. 16. See, ch. 35. 14. but these rites and manner of Worship, with all the Levitical ceremonies, and Consecrations of places, persons, and things to divine service, are taken away by the Gospel, John 4. 20. 1 Tim. 2. 8. Yet the rules of religious order and decency in the times, places, and particulars of Christian Worship are to be observed.
V. 19. Bethel] The City Luz hard by this place; and after hereupon called Bethel. Bethel was on an high hill; And therefore we read of Mount Bethel, Josh. 16. 1. It was nigh to Hui or Ai, and West of it, Gen. 12. 8. Josh. 7. 2. ch 8… 9. 12 ch. 12. 9. And therefore the men of Bethel and Ai are joyned together, Ezra 2. 28. Nehem. 7 32. Bethlehem and Shilo were not far from it, Gen. 35. 16, 19. Judg. 21, 19. Abraham pitched his Tent close by it i… not there, Gen. 12. 8. 13. 3. As Jacob had this dream and vision here, whereupon he calls the name of the place Bethel, so God himself bidding him returne from Laban, is pleased to call himself the God of Bethel, ch 31. 13. And upon his return God bids him go and dwell there. which command he obeyes and here makes an Altar. And upon a second vision and Promise made he the second time, erects a pillar, and renewes the name of Bethel, ch. 35. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 9▪ 13, 14 15. Hos 12. 4. In Joshuths time it had a King, Josh. 12. 16. Joshuah, and after the house of Joseph conquered it, Josh. 12. 16. Judg. 1. 22, 23, 24, 25. It fell then by lot to the tribe of Benjamin, Josh. 18. 22. There being another of the name it seems that fell to Ephraim, 1 Chron. 7. 28. It is one of the three places whither Samuel rede circuit yearly, and judged Israel, 1 Sam 7. 16. Saul in his time met three men going up to God to Bethel, … Sam 10. 3. & had two thousand men of his army with him there, and in Micmash, 1 Sam. 13. 2. David sent of the spoiles of the Amalckites to them of Bethel, if under that name in that place, Kiriah-jearim, the House of God, where the Ark then was and abode be not understood. Jeroboam in his time set up here one of his golden Calves, made an Altar, and setled Priests, 1 Kings 12. 28. 29, 32, 33. And hence Bethel the House of God, seemes to be called Bethaven, the house of vanity, Hos. 4. 15. 5. 8. 10. 5. And yet there was another place properly called Bethaven, and nigh to B…thel, Josh. 7. 2. 18. 12. 1 Sam. 13. 5. 14. 23. Thither came a man of God while Jeroboam stood by the Altar to burne incense, and prophesied against it; and healed the Kings hand that was dried up, for stretching it out against him; which Prophet was after slain by a Lion, for suffering himself to be seduced by an old Prophet that dwelt in Bethel, and came out of Samaria, 1 Kings 13. 2 Kings 23. 18. Abijah the sonne of Rchoboam took from Jeroboam Bethel, with the townes thereof, 2 Chron. 13 9▪ whereupon, and upon the captivity of the ten tribes Jeremie useth these words, That the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel their confidence, Jer. …8. 13. And before that captivity Hosea threatens that Bethel should do so unto them, as Shalman had spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of battel, Hos, 10. 14, 15. In Ahaziah's time, or rather Jehoram's Kings of Israel, Elias comes thither with Elizcus, immediately before his taking up into heaven. And upon Elizcus his return thither, the little children out of the city came and mocked him, calling him Bald-head, and fourty two of them were torne by beares, 2 Kings 2. In the dayes of Jeroboam the second, Amos the Prophet in scorn, bids the ten tribes come to Bethel and transgresse, Amos 4. 4. And seriously forbids them to seek to Bethel, for Bethel shall come to nought: but chargeth them to seek the Lord. lest he break out like fire, and there be none to quench it in Bethel, ch. 5. 5, 6, 7. Upon his preaching Amaziah the Priest of Bethel sends to Jeroboam against him, and forbids him to prophesie any more at Bethel, for it is the Kings Chappel, and it is the Kings Court, ch. 7 10, 13. Josiah in his dayes performed all that was sore told by the man of God, 1 Kings 13. He brake down the Altar, and burnt the bones of men upon it. And the idolatrous pollutions of the Temple of Jerusalem he burnt, and carried the ashes of them to Bethel, so far off, on purpose to defile that place, which the ten idolatrous tribes had held so sacred, 2 Kings 23. 15. 19. 4. Thus large have I been on this place, once for all; purposing to make a reference hither, whenever I shall meet with the name elsewhere.
…uz at the first] This name in use▪ ch. 35. 6. 48. 3. and in Joshuahs time, Josh. 18. 13. See▪ Judg. 1. 23, 26. It signifieth Nut-tree, whence the City might have its name, as Jericho is called the City of Palme-trees, 2 Chron. 28. 15. Deut. 34. 3.
V. 20. Vowed a V…w] There is an Oath, a Vow, and a devoting of a thing to God: of an Oath, see, Annot. on ch. 24. 3. of the devoting any thing, See, Lev. 27. 28, 29. A Vow is a binding of the soule with a bond, by a sacred, and solemne, a free and voluntary Promise made to God, for the doing or more careful doing of things, which otherwise by our duty and Gods Law we are bound to do, or for the doing of certain things lawful in themselves, but otherwise left indifferent to be done, or not to be done; or for the abstaining from the use of some things, otherwise lawful to be used. And all this in way of thankfulness to God for some extraordinary blessings received; or for the obtaining of some special benefits, which we greatly desire and stand in need of. And therefore Vowes are ever joyned with Prayers, or Praises and Thanksgiving, or both. And these Vowes once made must carefully be kept and performed. Thus Jocob here vowed by way of thankfulnesse to God for this glorious Apparition, and the gracious Promises vouchsafed to him, and for further and future blessings to be received from God, that God should be his God, this should be a new engagement and obligation upon him, that he would for ever serve and worship him; and that that stone or pillar now erected by him, should be Gods house, a place consecrated to his worship and service, and that he would give the tenth of all he should have to God, and for his special use in Sacrifices, Altars, sacred buildings, and maintenance of his service. Thus Hannah vowed, that if God would deliver her from the reproach of barrennesse, and give her a man-child, she would give him to the Lord all the dayes of his life, and no razour should come upon his head, 1 Sam 1. 11. Thus Bathsheba it seems made a Vow for the obtaining of Solomon, whence she calleth him the sonne of her Vowes, Prov. 31. 2. Thus Jephthah made a Vow to obtain victory against the children of Ammon, Judg 11. 30, 39. And all Israel, to obtain victory against King Arad the Canaanite and his people, Numb. 21. 1, 2. Thus David vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob, forthwith to finde out a place for the habitation of the Lord, Psal. 132. 2, 3. Thus Paul was under a Vow, Acts 18. 18. And again he and foure other men, Act. 21, 23, 24. Yea, the Heathen Mariners, by the light of nature made vows to the Lord, vowes of thankfulnesse for their deliverance from shipwrack, Jonah 1. 16. In Moses time, the vow of a Nazarite and Lawes for them are set down at large, Numb. 6. as also the things to be vowed to the Lord, as persons, beasts, clean and unclean, houses, fields of inheritance, and of purchase, whether vowed before the year of Jubile, or after, and the several Lawes for the Redemption of them, Lev. 27. And in that Mosaical and Ceremonial Law, God carefully provides that no unworthy thing shall be vowed to him, no beast deformed, or that hath any member superfluous, or lacking, or any way faulty, Lev. 22. 18, 21, 22, 23. Mal. 1. 14. Much lesse the hire of a whore, or price of a dog, Deut. 23. 18. any sinful thing as those wicked men of Judah did, in their idolatrous ways, both they and their wives which fled into the land of Egypt, contrary to the Word of the Lord by Jeremie say, We will surely perform our vowes which we have vowed, to burne incense to the Queen of heaven, and to poure out drink-offerings unto her, Jer. 44. 25. And least of all would he have any sinful vow made unto him. Now to forbear to vow is no sin, Deut. 23. 22. at least, no such sin as if they vow and pay not, as, John 9. 41. If ye were blinde, ye should have no sin, no such sin as now remaineth on you, for refusing the light. And the like, John 15. 22, 24. For howsoever in the general, a vow is a kinde of a free-will-offering, a service of God, Esay 19. 21. but an arbitrary and voluntary service. Before men vow it is in their own power and pleasure, as it is spoken in Ananias his case, Acts 5. 4. yet in some extraordinary cases of petition and thanksgiving, vowes are requisite and necessary. And however; yet being once made lawfully, after vowes to make enquiry, undoubtedly it is sin. But after vowes to make enquiry is a snare and sin, Prov. 20. 25. For who vowes, bindes his soule with a bond, Numb. 30. 3. And therefore when a lawful vow is lawfully made, then God strictly requires the same to be punctually performed, Deut. 23. 21, 23. Eccl. 5. 4, 5, 6. And for that cause he gives Laws, who have power to vow, and who may not vow, namely, children and wives, who are not free of themselves, but under the power and command of others, Numb. 30. David therefore is mindful of his performance, Thy vowes are upon me, O God, Psal 56. 12. and 66. 13, 14. And he mindes others of it, Vow and pay unto the Lord your God, Psal. 76. 11. And again, To thee shall the vow be paid, Ps. 65. 1, 2. And he saith unto God, Thou, O God, hast heard my vowes. And so will I sing praise unto thy Name for ever, that I may daily performe my vowes, Ps 61. 5, 8.
If God will be with me] Prayer-wise, respecting the Promile, v. 15.
and will keep me] Respects the Promise likewise, v. 15. and bindes upon it; for if here hath the signification of when, as in 1 Sam. 15. 17. And is here a word of doubting or of condition, but of faith and inference of his duty of thankfulnesse,
bread to eate] 1 Tim. 6. 8.
V. 21. So that I come again] Jacobs vow in all points grounded upon the Word and Promise, v. 15.
then shall] Not as if otherwise not. He was sure of the truth of the Promise, and thereupon vowes this in way of thankfulnesse.
V. 12. This stone] See on v. 18. and ch. 31. 45.
Gods House] So performed, ch. 35. 7, 14.
the tenth unto thee] A signe of homage and subjection to God: And therefore given to the Priests. Thus by Abraham, and by Jacob, tithes paid before the Law of Moses.