The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-09-04
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR SEPTEMBER G.

took advantage of his bPother Esau Iaeo5 sD5
by deception stole his blessing The Lord
had promised Rebekah that the birthright
should be given to Jacob (chap. 25: 23),
and if she and Jacob had waited with faith
for the fulflment of the promise, Jacob
would have had honestly what he gained
by trickery: But it seemed to Rebekah
and Jacob that Gods promises were about
to fail, and they must do something to
bring the right thing to pass, even if they
did a wrong in accomplishing it. They
gained nothing, but lost much by their
wicked interference with Gods plans.
Jacob was obliged to fee for his life, and
his mother never beheld her beloved son
again. Went out" Urged and assisted
have Jacob go to seek wife, but really
the journey was taken to escape the wrath
of Esau. Esau and Jacob were now fifty.
seven years old. From Beer-sheba."
This was forty-fve miles southwest of Je.
rusalem, where Isaac lived. "Haran."
This was about 300 miles from Beer-sheba.
Some say the distance was much greater.
He went without servant or any accom-
modations, except staff (Gen. 80: l0);
on foot and alone he pursues his solitary
journey.
II. "a certain place" Near Luz. V.
10. This was between ffty-fve and sixty
miles northeast of Beer.sheba: 1t must
have been toward the close of the third
day since he left home. The gates of the
city were probably closed for the night, be-
fore he was able to reacn Luz, and thus
he was forced to remain in the open field
during the night "Sun was SET" The
gates Of the city were closed at the setting
OF the sun, but this may merely mean that
it was late and therefore time for Jacob
to stop. Zone of the stones" (R. W
This was no hardship for Jacob, as the
Syrians do the same thing every night.
Sleeping on the ground in the open air,
where there is not even bush for shelter
is a common thing. A pillow of stone was
but an outward expression of Jacobs feel
ings at this time. He was alone, poor, ban
.ished, undefended, with a long and dan
gerous journey before him among hostile
tribes, and with an uneasy conscience.
l2. "He dreamed" God has frequently
appeared in dreams since Jacobs time. "a
ladder" The design of the ladder was, !:
To show that God was watching over and
regulating all things. 2. 1t pointed out
the close connection between heaven and
true life has always visions and ideals
reaching far beyond our present state. We
should be always climbing upward, and the
rising will be step by step. ANGELS of
God" God would teach Jacob the con-
Meeting and living intercourse between
heaven and earth. The angels descending
designate the revelations, the words and
promises of God; the ascending angels in
dicate faith, confession and prayer. Jacob
had thought himself alone and defenseless;
the vision musters armies for his safety.
He had been conscious of but Little con-
nection with heaven; the vision shows him
a path from his very side right into its
depths.
i3.. ""Stood above it." From Jacobs
ladder we receive the first definite intima-
ton that beyond "Sheol," heaven is the
home of man. ITO thee will I give it."
mad been selected as the one in whose line
the covenant blessings should how."
II. "And thy seed" etc. The old prom
ise made to Abraham more than century
before this is here renewed. "Of the
EARTH" The expression points to the
worldwide universally of the kingdom
Of the seed of Abraham. The fulflment of
this was in Jesus Christ. In Christ, who
descended from Jacob according to the
flesh, shall all the nations of the earth be
IS. '1 am with thee" etc. I will d.
rect, help and support thee in peculiar
manner. He is assured that he vii! not be
east away from the presence of God:
l6. "The Lord is in this place. God
has made this place His peculiar residence.
God is often very near when the trial is
most severe and it seems to US that He
has forsaken US entirely.
II. HE was afraid" Jacob had sinned
and he knew it, and therefore was in no
condition to meet God. His heart was not
at home in the presence of God; nor can
any heart be so until it has been thor
oughly emptied and broken. How dread
full" Awe-inspiring, commonly ly rendered
fearful or terrible. 10 be in the presence
of God is dreadful place for sinner.
"The house of God" In whatever place
the soul of man feels the presence and
power of God there is the house of God.
'The gate of heaven" Alluding to the
ladder he had seen in his dream: A gate
on this ladder and enter heaven, poor
distressed sinner might; so Jacob decided,
and he acted accordingly, for soon we see
IS. "Set t up." He placed the stone in
an erect position. Poured OIL" Thus
consecrating it to God, so that it might be
considered an altar.
10. Bethel" House Of God" The
original name was Luz, but Jacob named
the place Bethel.
20. Jacob vowed a VOW" A VOW is
solemn promise by which a man binds
himself to perform certain acts. when
Jacob came to Bethel he was an uncon..
verted man, and he was not converted
while he was dreaming, God saves men
when they are wide awake. According to
the Bible plan no person is converted with
out true repentance, confession and faith.
Did Jacob repent at this time! 1t seems
clear that he did. Years afterward he de-
sired to return to Bethel and build an al.
tar to the God "who answered" him in
the day of his distress" Gen. 50: 2.
From this we see, /. That he was in dis
tress''-he had "godly sorrow z Cor: I;
lO) on account of his sins. 2. He called
on the Lord and God answered" him.
Thus Gods appearing to him was the re-
suit of earnest, agonizing prayer on his
part. g. Jacob gave himself to God and
took the Lord to be his God. '. q. 4.
He even promised to give to God tenth
of all that God might give him. Now here
a repenting heart comes thus to God, and
makes his VOW to God as Jacob did, the
Lord is always ready to save. If God,
etc. A better rendering is since God"
His words are not to be considered as i'm.
plying a doubt. He did not dictate terms
to God; he really said that inasmuch as
God had promised to sustain and keep
him, therefore he would give himself to
%. Goods house." A place sacred to
!he memory of Gods presence. ihe
tenth" As Abraham had done. Gen. IA:
20.