Bible Commentary

Genesis 28:16-19

Matthew Henry on Genesis 28:16-19

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

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.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 28:10-22Jacob at Bethel, or heaven opened. I. THE LONELY SLEEPER. 1. His desolate condition. Exiled from home, fleeing from the murderous resentment of a brother, o'er-canopied by the star-lit firmament, remote from human habit…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 28:10-22Jacob's dream. Where revelations had been vouchsafed it was supposed that they would be repeated. The stony pillow on which the weary head rested may be changed by the visitation of Divine grace into the meeting-place o…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 28:10-22EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryJacob's Vow. (b. c. 1760.)JACOB'S VOW. (B. C. 1760.) God manifested himself and his favour to Jacob when he was asleep and purely passive; for the spirit, like the wind, blows when and where he listeth, and God's grace, like the dew, tarrieth no…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 28:16And Jacob awaked out of his sleep (during which he had seen and talked with Jehovah), and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. Jacob does not here learn the doctrine of the Divine omnipresence f…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 28:17And he was afraid,—so were Moses (Exodus 20:18, Exodus 20:19), Job (Genesis 42:5, Genesis 42:6), Isaiah (Genesis 6:5), Peter (Luke 5:8), John (Revelation 1:17, Revelation 1:18), at similar discoveries of the Divine pres…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 28:18And Jacob rose up early in the morning (cf. Genesis 19:27; Genesis 22:3), and took the stone that he had put for his pillows (vide supra), and set it up for a pillar—literally, set it up, a pillar (or something set upri…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 28:18-22The grateful retrospect and the consecrated prospect. I. THE TRUE LIFE is that which starts from the place of fellowship with God and commits the future to him. We can always find a pillar of blessed memorial and consec…Joseph S. Exell and contributors