21. This vision gave very seasonable comfort to Jacob, letting him know that he had both a good guide, and a good guard, in his going out and coming in; that though he was made to wander from his father's house, yet still he was the care of a kind providence, and the charge of the holy angels. This is comfort enough, though we should not admit the notion which some have, that the tutelar angels of Canaan were ascending, having guarded Jacob out of their land, and the angels of Syria descending to take him into their custody. Jacob was now the type and representative of the whole church, which the angels are intrusted with the guardianship of.
(2.) The mediation of Christ: he is the ladder, the foot on earth in his human nature, the top in heaven in his divine nature: or, the former in his humiliation, the latter in his exaltation. All the intercourse between heaven and earth, since the fall, is by this ladder. Christ is the way; all God's favours come to us, and all our services go to him, by Christ. If God dwell with us, and we with him, it is by Christ; we have no way of getting to heaven than by this ladder; if we climb up any other way, we are thieves and robbers. This vision our Saviour alludes to, when he speaks of the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man; (John 1. 51.) for the kind offices the angels do us, and the benefits we receive by their ministration are all owing to Christ, who has reconciled things on earth, and things in heaven, (Col. 1. 20.) and made them all meet in himself, Eph. 1. 10.
2. The encouraging words Jacob heard. God now brought him into the wilderness, and spake comfortably to him, spake from the head of the ladder, for all the glad tidings we receive from heaven, come through Jesus Christ.
(1.) The former promises made to his father, are repeated and ratified to him, v. 13, 14. In general, God intimates to him that he would be the same to him, that he had been to Abraham and Isaac. Those that tread in the steps of their godly parents, are interested in their covenant, and entitled to their privileges. Particularly, [1.] The land of Canaan is settled upon him, the land whereon thou liest; as if by his lying so contentedly upon the bare ground, he had taken livery and seisin of the whole land. [2.] It is promised him that his posterity should multiply exceedingly, as the dust of the earth, that though he seemed now to be plucked off as a withered branch, yet he should become a flourishing tree that should send out his boughs unto the sea. These were the blessings with which his father had blessed him, (v. 3, 4.) and God here said Amen to them, that he might have strong consolation. [3.] It is added that the Messiah should come from his loins, in whom all the families of the earth should be blessed. Christ is the great blessing of the world: all that are blessed, whatever family they are of, are blessed in him, and none of any family are excluded from blessedness, in him, but those that exclude themselves.
(2.) Fresh promises were made him, accommodated to his present condition, v. 15. [1.] Jacob was apprehensive of danger from his brother Esau; but God promises to keep him. Note, Those are safe, whom God protects, whoever pursues them. [2.] He had now a long journey before him, was to travel alone, in an unknown road, to an unknown country; but, behold I am with thee, says God. Note, Wherever we are, we are safe, and may be easy, if we have God's favourable presence with us. [3.] He knew not, but God foresaw, what hardships he would meet with in his uncle's service, and therefore promises to preserve him in all places. Note, God knows how to give his people graces and comforts accommodated to the events that shall be, as well as to those that are. [4.] He was now going as an exile into a place far distant, but God promises him to bring him back again to this land. Note, he that preserves his people's going out, will also take care of their coming in, Ps. 121. 8. [5.] He seemed to be forsaken of all his friends, but God here gives him this assurance, I will not leave thee. Note, Whom God loves, he never leaves. This promise is sure to all the seed, Heb. 13. 5. [6.] Providence seemed to contradict the promises; he is therefore assured of the performance of them in their season: All shall be done that I have spoken to thee of. Note, Saying and doing are not two things with God, whatever they are with us.
16. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. 17. 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. 18. 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. 19. And he called the name of that place Beth-el, but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. 20. 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, 21. So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: 22. 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.
God manifested himself in 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 not for the sons of men, Mich. 5. 7. But Jacob applied himself to the improvement of the visit God had made him, when he was awake; and we may well think he awaked, as the prophet did, (Jer. 31. 26.) and, behold his sleep was sweet to him. Here is much of Jacob's devotion on this occasion.
I. He expresses great surprise at tokens he had of God's special presence with him in that place, v. 16, Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not. Note, 1. God's manifestations of himself to his people, carry their own evidence along with them. God can give undeniable demonstrations of his presence, such as give abundant satisfaction to the souls of the faithful, that God is with them of a truth; satisfaction, not communicable to others, but convincing to themselves. 2. We sometimes meet with God there where we little thought of meeting with him. He is there where we did not think he had been; is found there where we asked not for him. No place excludes divine visits, (ch. 16. 13.) here also. 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 be not our own fault.
II. It struck an awe upon him, v. 17, He was afraid; so far was he from being puffed up, and exalted above measure, with the abundance of the revelations, (2 Cor. 12, 7.) that he was afraid.
