Genesis:28

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* Verse 1-5 - Jacob had blessings promised both as to this world and that which is to come ; yet goes out to a hard service . This corrected him for the fraud on his father . The blessing shall be conferred on him , yet he shall smart for the indirect course taken to obtain it . Jacob is dismissed by his father with a solemn charge . He must not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan : those who profess religion , should not marry with those that care not for religion . Also with a solemn blessing . Isaac had before blessed him unwittingly ; now he does it designedly . This blessing is more full than the former ; it is a gospel blessing . This promise looks as high as heaven , of which Canaan was a type . That was the better country which Jacob and the other patriarchs had in view . * Verse 6-9 - Good examples impress even the profane and malicious . But Esau thought , by pleasing his parents in one thing , to atone for other wrong doings . Carnal hearts are apt to think themselves as good as they should be , because in some one matter they are not so bad as they have been . * Verse 10-15 - Jacob 's conduct hitherto , as recorded , was not that of one who simply feared and trusted in God . But now in trouble , obliged to flee , he looked only to God to make him to dwell in safety , and he could lie down and sleep in the open air with his head upon a stone . Any true believer would be willing to take up with Jacob 's pillow , provided he might have Jacob 's vision . God 's time to visit his people with his comforts , is , when they are most destitute of other comforts , and other comforters . Jacob saw a ladder which reached from earth to heaven , the angels going up and coming down , and God himself at the head of it . This represents , 1 . The providence of God , by which there is a constant intercourse kept up between heaven and earth . This let Jacob know that he had both a good guide and a good guard . 2 . The mediation of Christ . He is this ladder ; the foot on earth in his human nature , the top in heaven in his Divine nature . Christ is the Way ; all God 's favours come to us , and all our services go to him , by Christ , John strkjv @1:51 . By this way , sinners draw near to the throne of grace with acceptance . By faith we perceive this way , and in prayer we approach by it . In answer to prayer we receive all needful blessings of providence and grace . We have no way of getting to heaven but by Christ . And when the soul , by faith , can see these things , then every place will become pleasant , and every prospect joyful . He will never leave us , until his last promise is accomplished in our everlasting happiness . God now spake comfortably to Jacob . He spake from the head of the ladder . All the glad tidings we receive from heaven come through Jesus Christ . The Messiah should come from Jacob . Christ is the great blessing of the world . All that are blessed , are blessed in him , and none of any family are shut out from blessedness in him , but those that shut out themselves . Jacob had to fear danger from his brother Esau ; but God promises to keep him . He had a long journey before him ; to an unknown country ; but , Behold , I am with thee , and God promises to bring him back again to this land . He seemed to be forsaken of all his friends ; but God gives him this assurance , I will not leave thee . Whom God loves , he never leaves . * Verse 16-19 - God manifested himself and his favour , to Jacob , when he was asleep . The Spirit , like the wind , blows when and where it listeth , and God 's grace , like the dew , tarrieth not for the sons of men . Jacob sought to improve the visit God had made him . Wherever we are , in the city or in the desert , in the house or in the field , in the shop or in the street , we may keep up our intercourse with Heaven , if it is not our own fault . But the more we see of God , the more cause we see for holy trembling before him . * Verse 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 , 1st Corinthians strkjv @16:2 . Let us then remember our Bethels , how we stand engaged by solemn vows to yield ourselves to the Lord , to take him for our God , and to devote all we have and are to his glory ! **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

---