Genesis 28 Commentary: Jacob's Flight, Dream, and Vow
And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.
Arise, go to Padan–aram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother’s father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother’s brother.
And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.
And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padan–aram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.
When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padan–aram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;
And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padan–aram;
And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father;
Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.
And Jacob went out from Beer–sheba, and went toward Haran.
And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.
And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
And he called the name of that place Beth–el: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.
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,
So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God:
And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
Genesis 28 marks a pivotal moment in Jacob's life. Fleeing the wrath of his brother Esau and embarking on a journey to find a wife from his mother's kin, Jacob encounters God in a profound and life-altering way. This chapter is not just a story of escape; it’s a narrative of divine intervention, promise, and the establishment of a covenant relationship. Understanding the context of Genesis 28 is crucial for grasping its significance within the larger story of God's redemptive plan.
Isaac's Blessing and Esau's Misguided Attempt
The chapter opens with Isaac, now seemingly reconciled to Jacob's deception, sending his son to Paddan-aram to find a wife among the daughters of Laban, Rebekah's brother. Isaac explicitly forbids Jacob from marrying a Canaanite woman (Genesis 28:1-2), underscoring the importance of maintaining a pure lineage for the covenant promises. This command highlights the contrast between the chosen line of Abraham and the surrounding pagan cultures.
Isaac then reiterates the blessing of Abraham upon Jacob (Genesis 28:3-4), bestowing on him the promises of fruitfulness, multiplication, and possession of the land. This blessing isn't merely a familial tradition; it's a divine decree, setting Jacob apart as the inheritor of God's covenant. Isaac knew that more was at stake than merely keeping Isaac alive. God had a larger plan in store for Jacob.
Upon learning of Isaac's disapproval of Canaanite wives, Esau, in a misguided attempt to regain his father's favor, marries one of the daughters of Ishmael (Genesis 28:6-9). This act reveals Esau's continued lack of understanding of God's promises and his desire for superficial approval rather than genuine obedience. He did what made sense to him based on what he knew, never realizing that this wasn’t a righteous action that God wanted.
Jacob's Dream at Bethel: A Stairway to Heaven
Alone on his journey, Jacob stops for the night, using a stone as a pillow. In this seemingly ordinary and vulnerable situation, God reveals Himself in a dream (Genesis 28:10-12). Jacob dreams of a stairway (or ladder) connecting heaven and earth, with angels ascending and descending. This vision symbolizes the communication and interaction between the divine and human realms. Jacob was watching divine activity at work even in a messy human situation. Prior to this dream, all he could see was the mess. But God opened his eyes to a spiritual reality that transformed his viewpoint.
The Lord Himself stands beside Jacob in the dream (Genesis 28:13), reaffirming the covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac. God promises to give Jacob and his descendants the land he is lying on, to multiply his offspring like the dust of the earth, and to bless all peoples through him (Genesis 28:14). This is the first time Jacob heard that promise from God himself. It wasn’t new information, but the information became real because he finally realized that it was God’s promise. God often does something similar for us, confirming what we may have heard a thousand times—through hymns, or preaching, or reading the Bible—but for whatever reason, he illuminates that word so that we hear the Spirit speaking to us.
More immediately, God promises to be with Jacob wherever he goes, to protect him, and to bring him back to the land (Genesis 28:15). This promise of God's unwavering presence and protection is a source of comfort and assurance for Jacob, who is fleeing for his life and facing an uncertain future.
Bethel: The House of God
Awakening from his dream, Jacob is filled with awe and reverence. "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it" (Genesis 28:16). This realization transforms Jacob's perception of the seemingly insignificant location. He names the place Bethel, meaning "house of God," recognizing it as a sacred space where he encountered the divine (Genesis 28:19). The pagan city of Luz suddenly became Bethel, literally the “house of God” (Genesis 28:19). Jacob poured oil on top of the very same stone that had been his rough pillow (Genesis 28:18), making it the cornerstone of an altar to God (Genesis 28:22).
Jacob's Vow: A Covenant Response
In response to God's revelation and promises, Jacob makes a vow (Genesis 28:20-22). He promises that if God will be with him, protect him, provide for his needs, and bring him back safely, then the Lord will be his God, Bethel will be a place of worship, and he will give a tenth of all he receives back to God. This vow is not an attempt to manipulate God or earn His favor. Instead, it's an expression of gratitude, trust, and commitment to a covenant relationship. Jacob had fallen asleep in “a certain place” (28:11), but having seen God, he woke up and gave the place a sacred name—Bethel (28:19). What had been a dark place became a sacred space. Nothing had changed in Jacob’s circumstances. All that had changed was Jacob getting a fresh vision of God. And that transformed everything.
Implications and Applications
Genesis 28 offers several important lessons and applications for believers today:
God's Presence in Unexpected Places: God can reveal Himself and His purposes in the most ordinary and unexpected circumstances. Just as Jacob encountered God in a desolate place with a stone pillow, we can encounter Him in our own moments of vulnerability and need.
The Importance of Covenant: God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob underscores the importance of covenant relationships in our lives, both with God and with others. These relationships are built on trust, commitment, and mutual faithfulness.
Responding to God's Grace: Jacob's vow is an example of how we can respond to God's grace and blessings with gratitude, obedience, and a commitment to stewardship.
Transformation Through Encounter: Jacob's encounter with God transformed his perspective and his identity. Similarly, encounters with God can transform our lives, shaping us into the people He intends us to be.
Genesis 28 is a powerful reminder that God is always present, even in our darkest moments. He is faithful to His promises, and He desires to have a personal relationship with each of us. Like Jacob, we can encounter God, receive His blessings, and commit ourselves to walking in His ways.
And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.
Arise, go to Padan–aram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother’s father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother’s brother.
And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.
And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padan–aram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.
When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padan–aram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;
And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padan–aram;
And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father;
Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.
And Jacob went out from Beer–sheba, and went toward Haran.
And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.
And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
And he called the name of that place Beth–el: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.
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,
So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God:
And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
Genesis 28 marks a pivotal moment in Jacob's life. Fleeing the wrath of his brother Esau and embarking on a journey to find a wife from his mother's kin, Jacob encounters God in a profound and life-altering way. This chapter is not just a story of escape; it’s a narrative of divine intervention, promise, and the establishment of a covenant relationship. Understanding the context of Genesis 28 is crucial for grasping its significance within the larger story of God's redemptive plan.
Isaac's Blessing and Esau's Misguided Attempt
The chapter opens with Isaac, now seemingly reconciled to Jacob's deception, sending his son to Paddan-aram to find a wife among the daughters of Laban, Rebekah's brother. Isaac explicitly forbids Jacob from marrying a Canaanite woman (Genesis 28:1-2), underscoring the importance of maintaining a pure lineage for the covenant promises. This command highlights the contrast between the chosen line of Abraham and the surrounding pagan cultures.
Isaac then reiterates the blessing of Abraham upon Jacob (Genesis 28:3-4), bestowing on him the promises of fruitfulness, multiplication, and possession of the land. This blessing isn't merely a familial tradition; it's a divine decree, setting Jacob apart as the inheritor of God's covenant. Isaac knew that more was at stake than merely keeping Isaac alive. God had a larger plan in store for Jacob.
Upon learning of Isaac's disapproval of Canaanite wives, Esau, in a misguided attempt to regain his father's favor, marries one of the daughters of Ishmael (Genesis 28:6-9). This act reveals Esau's continued lack of understanding of God's promises and his desire for superficial approval rather than genuine obedience. He did what made sense to him based on what he knew, never realizing that this wasn’t a righteous action that God wanted.
Jacob's Dream at Bethel: A Stairway to Heaven
Alone on his journey, Jacob stops for the night, using a stone as a pillow. In this seemingly ordinary and vulnerable situation, God reveals Himself in a dream (Genesis 28:10-12). Jacob dreams of a stairway (or ladder) connecting heaven and earth, with angels ascending and descending. This vision symbolizes the communication and interaction between the divine and human realms. Jacob was watching divine activity at work even in a messy human situation. Prior to this dream, all he could see was the mess. But God opened his eyes to a spiritual reality that transformed his viewpoint.
The Lord Himself stands beside Jacob in the dream (Genesis 28:13), reaffirming the covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac. God promises to give Jacob and his descendants the land he is lying on, to multiply his offspring like the dust of the earth, and to bless all peoples through him (Genesis 28:14). This is the first time Jacob heard that promise from God himself. It wasn’t new information, but the information became real because he finally realized that it was God’s promise. God often does something similar for us, confirming what we may have heard a thousand times—through hymns, or preaching, or reading the Bible—but for whatever reason, he illuminates that word so that we hear the Spirit speaking to us.
More immediately, God promises to be with Jacob wherever he goes, to protect him, and to bring him back to the land (Genesis 28:15). This promise of God's unwavering presence and protection is a source of comfort and assurance for Jacob, who is fleeing for his life and facing an uncertain future.
Bethel: The House of God
Awakening from his dream, Jacob is filled with awe and reverence. "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it" (Genesis 28:16). This realization transforms Jacob's perception of the seemingly insignificant location. He names the place Bethel, meaning "house of God," recognizing it as a sacred space where he encountered the divine (Genesis 28:19). The pagan city of Luz suddenly became Bethel, literally the “house of God” (Genesis 28:19). Jacob poured oil on top of the very same stone that had been his rough pillow (Genesis 28:18), making it the cornerstone of an altar to God (Genesis 28:22).
Jacob's Vow: A Covenant Response
In response to God's revelation and promises, Jacob makes a vow (Genesis 28:20-22). He promises that if God will be with him, protect him, provide for his needs, and bring him back safely, then the Lord will be his God, Bethel will be a place of worship, and he will give a tenth of all he receives back to God. This vow is not an attempt to manipulate God or earn His favor. Instead, it's an expression of gratitude, trust, and commitment to a covenant relationship. Jacob had fallen asleep in “a certain place” (28:11), but having seen God, he woke up and gave the place a sacred name—Bethel (28:19). What had been a dark place became a sacred space. Nothing had changed in Jacob’s circumstances. All that had changed was Jacob getting a fresh vision of God. And that transformed everything.
Implications and Applications
Genesis 28 offers several important lessons and applications for believers today:
God's Presence in Unexpected Places: God can reveal Himself and His purposes in the most ordinary and unexpected circumstances. Just as Jacob encountered God in a desolate place with a stone pillow, we can encounter Him in our own moments of vulnerability and need.
The Importance of Covenant: God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob underscores the importance of covenant relationships in our lives, both with God and with others. These relationships are built on trust, commitment, and mutual faithfulness.
Responding to God's Grace: Jacob's vow is an example of how we can respond to God's grace and blessings with gratitude, obedience, and a commitment to stewardship.
Transformation Through Encounter: Jacob's encounter with God transformed his perspective and his identity. Similarly, encounters with God can transform our lives, shaping us into the people He intends us to be.
Genesis 28 is a powerful reminder that God is always present, even in our darkest moments. He is faithful to His promises, and He desires to have a personal relationship with each of us. Like Jacob, we can encounter God, receive His blessings, and commit ourselves to walking in His ways.