I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and made a solemn vow to Me. Now get up and leave this land at once, and return to your native land.'" I am the God of BethelThis phrase identifies the speaker as the same divine presence Jacob encountered at Bethel, a significant location in Jacob's spiritual journey. The Hebrew word for "God" here is "Elohim," emphasizing God's power and majesty. Bethel, meaning "House of God," was where Jacob had his dream of the ladder reaching to heaven ( Genesis 28:12-19). This reference serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the covenant established with Jacob, reinforcing the continuity of God's promises. where you anointed the pillar
Anointing the pillar was an act of consecration and worship. The Hebrew word for "anointed" is "mashach," which means to smear or consecrate. This act symbolized Jacob's recognition of the sacredness of the place and his commitment to God. The pillar, a stone set up as a monument, served as a tangible reminder of God's presence and promises. This historical context underscores the importance of physical acts of worship in ancient times as expressions of faith and dedication. and made a vow to Me
Jacob's vow was a solemn promise to God, reflecting a deep personal commitment. The Hebrew word for "vow" is "neder," indicating a binding promise or pledge. Vows in the biblical context were serious commitments that required fulfillment. This phrase highlights the relational aspect of faith, where Jacob not only received God's promises but also responded with his own commitment, illustrating a two-way relationship between God and His people. Now get up and leave this land
This command signifies a call to action and obedience. The phrase "get up" in Hebrew is "qum," which means to arise or stand. It implies readiness and determination. The directive to "leave this land" indicates a transition and a step of faith, as Jacob is instructed to return to the land of his fathers. This reflects the biblical theme of trusting God's guidance even when it requires leaving comfort zones or familiar surroundings. and return to your native land
The call to return to his "native land" is a call to return to the land of promise, Canaan. The Hebrew word for "return" is "shuv," which means to turn back or restore. This return is not just a physical journey but a spiritual one, symbolizing restoration and fulfillment of God's promises. The "native land" represents not only Jacob's heritage but also the place where God's covenant promises would be realized, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's direction in fulfilling His divine plan. Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe speaker in this verse, identifying Himself as the God of Bethel, reminding Jacob of His divine presence and past promises. 2. JacobThe recipient of God's message, who is being instructed to leave Laban's household and return to his homeland. 3. BethelA significant location where Jacob previously encountered God, anointed a pillar, and made a vow, marking it as a sacred place. 4. Laban's HouseholdThe place where Jacob has been living and working for many years, which he is now instructed to leave. 5. VowA solemn promise Jacob made to God at Bethel, which is being recalled as part of God's directive. Teaching Points God's FaithfulnessGod reminds Jacob of His past faithfulness at Bethel, encouraging trust in His promises. We can rely on God's faithfulness in our own lives. Obedience to God's CallJacob is instructed to leave and return home, demonstrating the importance of obedience to God's direction, even when it requires significant change. Significance of VowsThe recalling of Jacob's vow at Bethel underscores the importance of keeping our commitments to God. Sacred Places and MemoriesBethel serves as a reminder of God's presence and past encounters. We should cherish and remember our own spiritual milestones. Divine Guidance in TransitionJust as God guided Jacob during a major life transition, we can seek and trust God's guidance during our own times of change. Bible Study Questions 1. How does God's reminder of His presence at Bethel encourage Jacob, and how can we find encouragement in remembering God's past faithfulness in our lives? 2. What can we learn from Jacob's obedience to God's command to leave Laban's household, and how can we apply this to situations where God calls us to make difficult changes? 3. In what ways do the vows and commitments we make to God impact our spiritual journey, and how can we ensure we are faithful to them? 4. How can we create and maintain "Bethel moments" in our lives—times and places where we intentionally seek and remember God's presence? 5. How does the concept of divine guidance during transitions, as seen in Jacob's account, apply to a current or upcoming change in your life? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 28:10-22This passage describes Jacob's initial encounter with God at Bethel, where he dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven and makes a vow to God. Genesis 35:1-15God later instructs Jacob to return to Bethel, reinforcing its importance as a place of worship and remembrance. Exodus 3:6Similar to God's self-identification to Moses as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, emphasizing continuity and faithfulness. Psalm 50:14-15Encourages fulfilling vows to God and calling upon Him in times of trouble, reflecting Jacob's experience. Hebrews 11:21Highlights Jacob's faith, which is evident in his obedience to God's command to return to his homeland. People Aram, Isaac, Jacob, Laban, Leah, Nahor, RachelPlaces Canaan, Euphrates River, Galeed, Gilead, Jegar-sahadutha, Mizpah, Paddan-aramTopics Anoint, Anointed, Anointedst, Arise, Bethel, Beth-el, Birth, Depart, Forth, Hast, Kindred, Leave, Native, Nativity, Oath, Oil, Pillar, Return, Standing, Turn, Vow, Vowed, VowedstDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 31:13 4488 oil Genesis 31:1-24 5095 Jacob, life Genesis 31:10-13 1409 dream Genesis 31:11-13 4140 angel of the Lord Library Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old TestamentAppendix xvi. On the Jewish views About Demons' and the Demonised,' Together with Some Notes on the Intercourse Between Jews and Jewish Christians in the First Centuries.
IT is not, of course, our purpose here to attempt an exhaustive account of the Jewish views on demons' and the demonised.' A few preliminary strictures were, however, necessary on a work upon which writers on this subject have too implictly relied. I refer to Gfrörer's Jahrhundert des Heils (especially vol. i. pp. 378-424). Gfrörer sets out by quoting a passage in the Book of Enoch on which he lays great stress, but which critical inquiries of Dillmann and other scholars have shown to be …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah How the Rude in Sacred Learning, and those who are Learned but not Humble, are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 25.) Differently to be admonished are those who do not understand aright the words of the sacred Law, and those who understand them indeed aright, but speak them not humbly. For those who understand not aright the words of sacred Law are to be admonished to consider that they turn for themselves a most wholesome drought of wine into a cup of poison, and with a medicinal knife inflict on themselves a mortal wound, when they destroy in themselves what was sound by that whereby they ought, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Epistle Xlix. To Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch .
To Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch [35] . Gregory to Anastasius, &c. I received the letters of thy Fraternity, rightly holding fast the profession of the faith; and I returned great thanks to Almighty God, who, when the shepherds of His flock are changed, still, even after such change, guards the faith which He once delivered to the holy Fathers. Now the excellent preacher says, Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ Jesus (1 Cor. iii. 2). Whosoever, then, with love of …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great The Great Shepherd
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. I t is not easy for those, whose habits of life are insensibly formed by the customs of modern times, to conceive any adequate idea of the pastoral life, as obtained in the eastern countries, before that simplicity of manners, which characterized the early ages, was corrupted, by the artificial and false refinements of luxury. Wealth, in those …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 And He had Also this Favour Granted Him. ...
66. And he had also this favour granted him. For as he was sitting alone on the mountain, if ever he was in perplexity in his meditations, this was revealed to him by Providence in prayer. And the happy man, as it is written, was taught of God [1112] . After this, when he once had a discussion with certain men who had come to him concerning the state of the soul and of what nature its place will be after this life, the following night one from above called him, saying, Antony, rise, go out and look.' …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius A Treatise of the Fear of God;
SHOWING WHAT IT IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT WHICH IS NOT SO. ALSO, WHENCE IT COMES; WHO HAS IT; WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS; AND WHAT THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE THAT HAVE IT IN THEIR HEARTS. London: Printed for N. Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, over against the Stocks market: 1679. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "a fountain of life"--the foundation on which all wisdom rests, as well as the source from whence it emanates. Upon a principle …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Meditations for the Morning.
1. Almighty God can, in the resurrection, as easily raise up thy body out of the grave, from the sleep of death, as he hath this morning wakened thee in thy bed, out of the sleep of nature. At the dawning of which resurrection day, Christ shall come to be glorified in his saints; and every one of the bodies of the thousands of his saints, being fashioned like unto his glorious body, shall shine as bright as the sun (2 Thess. i. 10; Jude, ver. 14; Phil. iii. 21; Luke ix. 31;) all the angels shining …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 31:13 NIVGenesis 31:13 NLTGenesis 31:13 ESVGenesis 31:13 NASBGenesis 31:13 KJV
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