Genesis 28

• Isaac stayed in the land, but Jacob had to leave. God would deal with Jacob through his uncle Laban (see study note on 29:1–31:55).

• Believers must remain spiritually pure by marrying other believers (2 Corinthians 6:14–18). The Canaanites had many groups and clans among their people through wars, treaties, and marriages (see Genesis 34:20–23).

  Abraham’s family was to resist such mixing (compare 24:3; chapter 34). They were supposed to marry within their clan to maintain the purity of the line and of the faith that identified them as the chosen people. The surest way to lose their distinctiveness was to intermarry with people of other tribal backgrounds and beliefs (see Ezra 9–10; Nehemiah 13:23–29).

Before Jacob departed, Isaac gave him a pure, legitimate blessing. He did not hold back, because he now knew what God wanted him to do. Isaac clearly passed on the blessing God Almighty (Hebrew El-Shaddai; see 17:1) had given to Abraham and to him regarding prosperity and the land (compare 15:5, 18–20).

Esau, the unchosen son still trying to please his father, married a woman from the unchosen line of Ishmael, which he thought would be more acceptable. He did not understand the uniqueness of the covenant family.

Even though Jacob used deceptive methods to get the blessing, God promised to protect and provide for him. The God of Abraham and Isaac was also the God of Jacob. This revelation greatly changed Jacob's perspective and brought faith into clearer focus.

Jacob set up camp in a safe spot at the base of a hill. He probably used a large stone more for protection than as a pillow.

• ladder: This word occurs nowhere else in Scripture. The image may have reminded people at that time of a stairway or ramp on the front of a ziggurat (a large temple tower in ancient Mesopotamia). Such a structure was thought to connect heaven and earth (see study note on 11:4).

  In this passage, God begins direct communication between heaven and earth to guide and protect Jacob, who carries his covenant (28:13–15; see Psalm 91:11–15).

• Jesus later said that he himself is the way between heaven and earth (John 1:51).

The vision showed that God and his angels were with Jacob on his journey. God reminded Jacob of the promises made to Abraham and Isaac. He promised Jacob land, descendants as numerous as dust (compare 13:16; 22:17), and blessings for all people through him (compare 12:2–3; 15:5, 18; 17:3–8; 22:15–18; 35:11–12). God also promised to be with Jacob and protect him until he returned.

Jacob inherited Abraham’s entire covenant (see 22:17), which confirmed Isaac’s blessing (28:3–4) and showed that Jacob would live away from home for a time (28:15; see 15:12–16).

I am with you: The promise of God’s presence meant that God would protect and provide for Jacob in a special way. God’s promise to be with his people is repeated throughout Scripture (see also 26:24). It encourages those who have faith to respond with worship and confidence (28:16–22).

The second part of the passage describes Jacob's response to God's revelation. He felt reverence and awe in God's presence. His acts of devotion became models for Israel's worship.

When God graciously visits his people and promises to be with them and make them a blessing to the world, his people respond in faith with reverence, worship, offerings, and vows. They preserve their faith in memory for future worshipers.

Anointing with oil became a way of setting something apart for divine use in Israel’s worship (Exodus 29:1–7; 40:9; Leviticus 2:1; 1 Samuel 10:1).

Bethel later became a holy site for Israel (see Judges 20:18–27; 1 Samuel 7:16; 10:3; 1 Kings 12:26–13:10; 2 Kings 2:2–3).

In view of what God would do for him, Jacob vowed to do certain things for God. He believed the Lord’s words and responded in gratitude. Jacob’s vow influenced Israel’s way of making commitments to God in worship.

I will surely You a tenth: By paying a tithe (a tenth) as an act of worship, a person acknowledges that everything is a gift from God and belongs to God (see 14:19–20; Numbers 18:21–32; Deuteronomy 14:22–29; 2 Chronicles 31:5–6; Malachi 3:7–12; Matthew 23:23).