The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-09-05
The SABBATH SCHOOL.
International Lesson Comments For
September s.
Subject: Jacob al the Well, Gen. xviii, 1872
.'Gciden Text, Gen. XIV H., I6..Memory
Verses, l3.l5-- Commentary on
the Days Lesson.

10. Jacob" "The supplanter." Jacob
took advantage of his brother Esau, and
by deception stole his blessing The Lord
had promised Rcbekah that the birthright
should be given to Jacob (chap. 25: 23),
and IL 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 wrong in accomplishing it. They
gained nothing, but lost much by their
wicked interference with Gods plans.
Jacob was obliged to flee for his life. and
his mother never beheld her beloved son
again. went out" Urged and assisted
by Rebekah, who planned with Isaac to
have Jacob 90 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 800 miles from Becr-sheba.
Some say the distance was much greater.
He went without a servant or any accom-
modations, except staff tGen. 80: l0):
on foot and alone he pursucs his solitary
journey
IL. "a certain place" Near Luz. V.
IS. This was between tifty-fvc and sixty
miles northeast of Beersheba. 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. "One 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 a bush for shelter
is a common thing. A pillow of stone was
but an outward expression of Jacobs feel
lngs 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.
II. "lIe 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. ,. 1t pointed out
the close connection between heaven and
Garth. 3. 1t was a type of Christ. The
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
dictate 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
path from his very side right into its
depths.
10. Stood above it." From Jacobs
ladder we receive the first definite intima-
tion that beyond "Sheol" heaven is the
home of man. TO thee will / give it,"
| OF all the descendants of Abraham jacob
had been selected as the one in whose line
| the covenant blessings should flow"
IA. And thy seed, etc. The old prom
| ise made to Abraham more than century
before this is here renewed. "Of the
| Garth The expression points to the
worldwide universally OF the kingdom
| of the seed of Abraham. The fulhlment OF
this was in Jesus Christ In Christ, who
| descended from Jacob according TO the
| flesh, shall all the nations OF the earth be
| blessed
Is. II am with thee" etc. | will di.
| rect, help and support thee in a peculiar
| manner. He is assured that he will not be
| cast away from the presence OF God.
10. 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 iorssken us entirely.
| IL. He was afraid. Jacob had sinncd
| 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 until it has been thor
| oughly emptied and broken. How dread
| ful. Awe-nspiring, commonly rendered
| fearful or terrible. 10 be in the presence
| OF God is a dreadful place for sinner.
Tine house OF God" In whatever place
ba cn,tl af faale tha ,,,1
| power of God there is the house OF God.
'1he gate of heaven" Abiding to the
| ladder he had seen in his dream. A gate
| is an entrance, and If angels could ascend
| on this ladder and enter heaven, poor
| distressed sinner might; so Jacob decided,
and he acted accordingly, for soon we see
him entering in.
Is. set It 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 Cod The
| original name was Luz, but Jacob named
the place Bethel.
| 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
tnc i)iDlc pan no person Is converted Wltn-
| 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. 35 3.
| From this we see, l. That he was in dis
| tress'--he had "godly sorrow" e Cor. 7:
| l0) on account OF his sins. .. 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. V. 81. 4.
| He even promised to give to God tenth
| oil all that God might give him. Now here
| is ample proof OF his conversion; for when
| repenting heart comes thus to God, and
makes his vow to God as Jacob did, the
Lord is always ready to save, 1T God,
! etc. A better rendering is since God
| His words are not to be considered as i'm
| plying doubt. He did not dictate terms
| 10 God; he really said that inasmuch as
| God had promised to sustain and keen
| him, therefore he would give himself to
| God.
%. Goods house. A place sacred to
the memory of Gods presence 'rhe
| tenth." As Abraham had done. Gen. IA: