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Commentary on Genesis 28 verses 1–5
Jacob had no sooner obtained the blessing than immediately he was forced to flee from his country; and, as it if were not enough that he was a stranger and sojourner there, he must go to be more so, and no better than an exile, in another country. Now Jacob fled into Syria, Hos 12:12. He was blessed with plenty of corn and wine, and yet he went away poor, was blessed with government, and yet went out to service, a hard service. This was, 1. Perhaps to correct him for his dealing fraudulently with his father. The blessing shall be confirmed to him, and yet he shall smart for the indirect course he took to obtain it. While there is such an alloy as there is of sin in our duties, we must expect an alloy of trouble in our comforts. However, 2. It was to teach us that those who inherit the blessing must expect persecution; those who have peace in Christ shall have tribulation in the world, Joh 16:33. Being told of his before, we must not think it strange, and, being assured of a recompence hereafter, we must not think it hard. We may observe, likewise, that God's providences often seem to contradict his promises, and to go cross to them; and yet, when the mystery of God shall be finished, we shall see that all was for the best, and that cross providences did but render the promises and the accomplishment of them the more illustrious. Now Jacob is here dismissed by his father,
I. With a solemn charge: He blessed him, and charged him, Gen 28:1, Gen 28:2. Note, Those that have the blessing must keep the charge annexed to it, and not think to separate what God has joined. The charge is like that in Co2 6:14, Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers; and all that inherit the promises of the remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, must keep this charge, which follows those promises, Save yourselves from this untoward generation, Act 2:38-40. Those that are entitled to peculiar favours must be a peculiar people. If Jacob be an heir of promise, he must not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan; those that profess religion should not marry those that are irreligious.
II. With a solemn blessing, Gen 28:3, Gen 28:4. He had before blessed him unwittingly; now he does it designedly, for the greater encouragement of Jacob in that melancholy condition to which he was now removing. This blessing is more express and full than the former; it is an entail of the blessing of Abraham, that blessing which was poured on the head of Abraham like the anointing oil, thence to run down to his chosen seed, as the skirts of his garments. It is a gospel blessing, the blessing of church-privileges, that is the blessing of Abraham, which upon the Gentiles through faith, Gal 3:14. It is a blessing from God Almighty, by which name God appeared to the patriarchs, Exo 6:3. Those are blessed indeed whom God Almighty blesses; for he commands and effects the blessing. Two great promises Abraham was blessed with, and Isaac here entails them both upon Jacob.
1.The promise of heirs: God make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, Gen 28:3. (1.) Through his loins should descend from Abraham that people who should be numerous as the stars of heaven, and the sand of the sea, and who should increase more than the rest of the nations, so as to be an assembly of people, as the margin reads it. And never was such a multitude of people so often gathered into one assembly as the tribes of Israel were in the wilderness, and afterwards. (2.) Through his loins should descend from Abraham that person in whom all the families of the earth should be blessed, and to whom the gathering of the people should be. Jacob had in him a multitude of people indeed, for all things in heaven and earth are united in Christ (Eph 1:10), all centre in him, that corn of wheat, which falling to the ground, produced much fruit, Joh 12:24.
2.The promise of an inheritance for those heirs: That thou mayest inherit the land of thy sojournings, Gen 28:4. Canaan was hereby entailed upon the seed of Jacob, exclusive of the seed of Esau. Isaac was now sending Jacob away into a distant country, to settle there for some time; and, lest this should look like disinheriting him, he here confirms the settlement of it upon him, that he might be assured that the discontinuance of his possession should be no defeasance of his right. Observe, He is here told that he should inherit the land wherein he sojourned. Those that are sojourners now shall be heirs for ever: and, even now, those do most inherit the earth (though they do not inherit most of it) that are most like strangers in it. Those have the best enjoyment of present things that sit most loose to them. This promise looks as high as heaven, of which Canaan was a type. This was the better country, which Jacob, with the other patriarchs, had in his eye, when he confessed himself a stranger and pilgrim upon the earth, Heb 11:13.
Jacob, having taken leave of his father, was hastened away with all speed, lest his brother should find an opportunity to do him a mischief, and away he went to Padan-aram, Gen 28:5. How unlike was his taking a wife thence to his father's! Isaac had servants and camels sent to fetch his; Jacob must go himself, go alone, and go afoot, to fetch his: he must go too in a fright from his father's house, not knowing when he might return. Note, If God, in his providence, disable us, we must be content, though we cannot keep up the state and grandeur of our ancestors. We should be more in care to maintain their piety than to maintain their dignity, and to be as good as they were than to be as great. Rebekah is here called Jacob's and Esau's mother. Jacob is named first, not only because he had always been his mother's darling, but because he was now make his father's heir, and Esau was, in this sense, set aside. Note, The time will come when piety will have precedency, whatever it has now.
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SUMMARY
In a pivotal moment of generational transition, Genesis 28:3 records Isaac's profound blessing upon his son Jacob, invoking the powerful name of "God Almighty" (El Shaddai). This blessing, bestowed as Jacob embarks on a journey of uncertainty to Haran, is a solemn transmission of the core Abrahamic covenant promises, specifically emphasizing divine provision for an abundant lineage and the multiplication of his descendants into a vast "multitude of people." It serves as a foundational declaration, ensuring the continuity of God's redemptive plan through Jacob and setting the trajectory for the formation of the nation of Israel.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Genesis 28:3 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is the Blessing Formula, a common ancient Near Eastern literary and cultural convention where a patriarch formally bestows divine favor and future prosperity. This formula is imbued with Divine Name Significance, specifically through the invocation of "God Almighty" (El Shaddai). This name emphasizes God's omnipotence and sufficiency, assuring the recipient (and the reader) of the absolute certainty of the blessing's fulfillment, regardless of human circumstances. The Repetition of the concepts of "fruitful" and "multiply" (Hebrew pârâh and râbâh) creates emphasis, highlighting the central importance of progeny in the covenant promises and ensuring that the reader grasps the magnitude of the promised growth. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of Foreshadowing, looking ahead to the future formation of the nation of Israel from Jacob's twelve sons, thereby linking the individual's destiny to the broader redemptive history.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 28:3 serves as a profound theological anchor, reaffirming God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises across generations. It demonstrates that God's redemptive plan is not contingent on human perfection but on His sovereign will and power. The invocation of El Shaddai underscores God's absolute sufficiency and omnipotence to bring about His purposes, even when circumstances seem impossible or when His chosen instruments are flawed. This blessing highlights the vital role of progeny in God's plan, as the formation of a numerous people was essential for the eventual arrival of the Messiah and the establishment of His kingdom. It also illustrates the principle of generational blessing, where the spiritual heritage and divine promises are passed down, emphasizing the continuity of God's work through His chosen lineage.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 28:3 offers profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us that God is the "God Almighty" (El Shaddai), fully capable of fulfilling His promises in our lives, even when our circumstances appear bleak or uncertain. Just as Jacob was sent into an unknown future, we too face journeys filled with challenges. Yet, Isaac's blessing assures us that God's power is sufficient to make us "fruitful" and "multiply" our impact, not just physically, but spiritually. This concept of fruitfulness extends beyond biological offspring to encompass spiritual growth, the bearing of good character, and the multiplication of God's kingdom through our lives, as seen in the call to bear fruit for God's glory (John 15:8). We are called to trust in His providence, knowing that His plans for us are for multiplication and abundance in every sphere where He has called us to serve. This verse also implicitly calls us to be channels of blessing, transmitting faith, hope, and divine favor to the next generation, recognizing the profound responsibility and privilege of our spiritual heritage.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the name "God Almighty" (El Shaddai) in this blessing?
Answer: El Shaddai (H7706, H410) is a profound name for God that emphasizes His omnipotent power, self-sufficiency, and inexhaustible ability to fulfill His promises, particularly those related to fertility, provision, and sustenance. In Genesis 28:3, its invocation assures Jacob that God has the absolute power to make him fruitful (H6509) and multiply (H7235) him into a great nation, despite his current solitary and vulnerable state. It highlights God's unwavering capacity to bring about His declared will, even in seemingly impossible circumstances.
How does this blessing to Jacob relate to the earlier promises made to Abraham?
Answer: This blessing is a direct reiteration and transmission of the Abrahamic covenant promises, specifically the promise of numerous descendants that would form a great nation (Genesis 12:2). Isaac, as the covenant heir, passes this divine promise to Jacob, ensuring the continuity of God's redemptive plan through the chosen lineage. It confirms that God's covenant is generational and will be faithfully fulfilled through Jacob's descendants, leading to the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel and ultimately, the lineage of the Messiah.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The blessing of fruitfulness and multiplication bestowed upon Jacob in Genesis 28:3 finds its ultimate spiritual fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the immediate promise was physical progeny for the nation of Israel, Christ is the true "seed" of Abraham through whom all nations are blessed (Galatians 3:16). The "multitude of people" promised to Jacob is spiritually realized in the vast, diverse body of believers—the Church—who are born not of natural descent but of the Spirit through faith in Christ (John 1:12-13). Through Christ, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to bear spiritual fruit—the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and the fruit of evangelism and discipleship (Matthew 28:19-20). This demonstrates God's El Shaddai power to bring forth an immeasurable spiritual family, multiplying His kingdom not primarily through physical lineage, but through the transformative power of the Gospel that draws people from every tribe and tongue into the family of God (Revelation 7:9-10).