Gen 28

Question	Answer	Note---10-02-2016
		28:1 There are a number of factors at play here: Rebekah wants Jacob to leave, because she is fearful that Esua will kill Jacob after the father dies. So she presses the issue that Jacob may take a wife from among the Canaanites. This urges Isaac to send Jacob away. Note they could have sent to Haran for a wife similar to what Abraham did.
		28:1 Rebekah seems very manipulative in all of this.
What does it mean that Isaac blessed Jacob?	In one context it seems that Isaac pronounced a blessing upon Jacob. In another context it seems he saluted him and wished him well on his journey.
Were the parents of Jacob now careful with him since the elder brother had chosen a wife from the canaanites, and they did not want the same fate for Jacob? Why do we find such careful instruction given to Jacob, and yet none is recorded for Esau?	Jacob seems to have such a subtle, obedient heart (momma’s boy). He raises no objection when instructed. Esau must have known that his parents despised the idea that he was going to marry to Hittites, yet he did it anyhow. We do not find this about Jacob.	28:2 Very specific instructions were given Jacob concerning his wife.
What is the significance that Isaac repeats the promise of Abraham to Jacob?	There is no record of this same promise being repeated to Esau.	28:3-4 Note that Isaac repeats the promise that was made to Abraham to Jacob without any deceit or coercion.
Was Isaac saying this to Jacob because of the blessing which he (Isaac) already pronounced upon him (Jacob) or did Isaac come to understand that Jacob was the one upon whom the promise would have been fulfilled?	Syrian or Aramean = "exalted" A.           a thing or a person from Syria or Aram	28:5 It is indeed notable that Bethuel (the nephew of Abraham) be reckoned a Syrian.
		28:6-9 Esau is seemingly jealous and trying to please his father and consequently takes a wife from among his brethren/kin. This is Esau’s 3rd wife. (gen26:34)
		28:11 It must have been a real lonely feeling for Jacob. Having left home where there were familiar faces. Also the fact that he was now out in the wild alone, must have caused him some amount of discomfort. Not to mention that it was now night time.
		28:13-14 It is noteworthy that the first record we have of God communicating to Jacob, was when he was separated from his father. We also observed this with Abraham and Isaac. God did not speak to either until their fathers were out of the way.
		28:15 This seems like a settling promise. No doubt the thought of death was on the mind of Jacob, however with God making this promise to him, that thought should have been far removed. That is if Jacob had come to trust the word of the Lord.
	Bethel = "house of God" A.           ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin, identified with Luz (former name) B.           a place in south country of Judah, not far from Beersheba and Ziklag	Jacob renames the place bethel. Although BBethel is called by name before, it seems that it is this event that caused it to be named bethel. The book makes mention of it when Abraham was pitching his tent before, however it seems that Moses decided to call the place Bethel, because that was the name by which it was known.
	Luz = "almond tree" A.           the early name of Bethel and probably the name of the town in close proximity to the actual location of the altar and pillar of Jacob B.           the name of a town in the land of the Hittites; site unknown	28:19 In this verse however he makes the distinction, that Bethel was not the name at first.
		28: It seems that the relationship between the children and the Lord is through their fathers. Consequently, Jacob’s relationship with the Lord is weak. Obviously this is his first personal encounter with God, and it is seen that Jacob starts to bargain with God.
		28:22 As a part of the bargain, Jacob mentions the tithe.
In these days there was very little or no money.  Tithe was measured in cattle and any increase in your material wealth. Since the priesthood was not yet established to whom would have Jacob paid or given the tithe to?	Some argue that the tithe may have been given to the poor or offered as burnt offering.	Lord if you do this for me, I will do this for you.