Our text selection this week, Gen 28:10—22, is a fine
illustration of Bullinger’s definition of repetitio
or repetition. Repetition occurs
when “[a] word or words are repeated, not in immediate succession…not at the
beginning, middle, or end of sentences…not at definite intervals; but frequently in the same passage and
irregularly for the sake of emphasizing and calling attention to it.”[1] Two different instances of repetition are
recognizable in our text.
The first term taken up in repetition is “behold” (hinnêh),[2]
which occurs in vv 12, 13, and 15. In
the broader context of the narrative, “behold” is used six times in chapter 27
(vv 1—2, 6, 36, 39, 42), during the high-tension episode of Jacob deceiving his
father, Isaac, and thus craftily stealing Esau’s blessing. In the context of 28:10ff, “behold” is used
four times to introduce Jacob’s vision and the developments of its escalating
intensity.
“behold…a ladder” (v 12a)
“behold, the angels of God” (v 12b)
“behold, the LORD” (v 13a)
“Behold, I [Yahweh] am with you…”
(v 15a)
At this point in the narrative of Genesis, two things are in
seeming peril, Jacob’s character and Yahweh’s covenant with Abraham. Without coming to the text of Genesis with the
assumptions that Jacob was a man of virtuous character and strong faith, one
would never deduce them from Genesis chapters 25 – 27. As both Isaac and Esau recognized, Jacob was
living up to his namesake (27:35, 36)!
If anything good was to come about in, through or for Jacob (and by
extension the whole world, see 28:14c), it would require nothing less than the
in-breaking of the covenant fidelity and sovereign grace of Yahweh, the God of
Abraham and Isaac (cf. Rom 9). So,
“Behold,” reader, that in-breaking has begun in 28:12f!
It is also worth noting that the awakening term “behold” was
also used to introduce the “smoking fire pot” image of Yahweh’s unilateral
covenant cutting and pronouncement to Abraham (15:17), just as it here
introduces the image of the “ladder” (28:12a).
Likewise, in 17:4, to Abraham, Yahweh says, “Behold, my covenant is with
you…” and to Jacob, he says, “Behold, I am with you…” (28:15a). Because Yahweh is the substance and surety of
his covenant, these clauses are nearly synonymous (comp. 15:1). “Behold” in 28:12f is, therefore, the clear
signal to the reader (and/or hearer) to consider the remarkable revelation of
what Yahweh is doing and will do in order to rescue Jacob, and consequently the
world, from himself and his deceptive dealings.
Secondly, just as Jacob’s character was in peril at this
point in the narrative, so too were the covenantal promises made to Abraham and
his seed. Not quite as jeopardizing as
the near-sacrifice of Isaac (ch. 22), our passage, concerning Jacob, still
presents the reader with the suspense of the fulfillment of Yahweh’s covenant being
in great peril. Although Jacob has filched
Esau’s birthright (25:29—34), attained the patriarchal blessing through deceit
(ch. 27), and even enjoyed the covenantal pronouncement of his father, Isaac
(28:3—4), Jacob (and the readers) has yet to hear the Word from Yahweh! Moreover, Jacob is wifeless and is now being
sent out from the land (28:1—2; cf. 46:1—4)!
Thus far, then, Jacob is impious, wifeless, “seed”-less, and now
landless, and all the while Yahweh is yet speechless, with respect to Jacob! It
appears that the Abrahamic covenant has reached a terminus! What of a people? What of the paradise lost in Gen 3?!? In great trepidation, the reader is left
wondering if humanity’s only hope is forever lost—what of redemption!?! Above all, Yahweh had taken an oath and swore
by himself that his covenant to Abraham would be fulfilled (Gen 22:15—18; cf.
Heb 6:13—14). The very truth of God was
at stake! Thankfully, God will not let
sinful man or the devil have the last word.
Against these stark realities, Moses reassures his readers
in 28:13—15 that God would most certainly finish the good work he had started
in Abraham. In these three verses, Yahweh
renews the covenant promises original to Abraham (cf. 12:1—3). And to emphasize the absolute certainty of
the promises’ fulfillment, repetition is used again.
I
am Yahweh, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac.
The land on which you lie I will give to you and your offspring.
Your offspring will be like the dust of the earth…
And in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be
blessed.
Behold, I am with you and will
keep you wherever you go,
and [I] will bring you back to this land.
For I will not leave you until I
have done what I have promised you
(28:13—15).
This short section contains not only all three of the
primary elements the Abrahamic covenant (i.e., land, seed/offspring, and
blessing), paralleling the original bestowal of 12:1—3, etc. to Abraham, it
also presents Yahweh as the active subject of a series of wills and shalls that galvanize the hope of final
fulfillment of that which was promised to Abraham, Isaac, and now Jacob. God to the rescue again!
I would mention only one more interesting feature that I
noticed during my studies for this board.
Genesis 28:13—15 is a covenant pronouncement to Jacob by Yahweh; it is
God’s first word to Jacob, and is the
starting point for the Jacob narrative proper.
In 46:2—4 we find another covenant pronouncement to Jacob by Yahweh; it
is God’s last word to Jacob, and is
the finale of the Jacob narrative proper.
Thus, Jacob’s story is encased in a beautiful covenant inclusio! Jacob’s walk with the God of
his fathers begins and ends with the absolute, certain word of promise from the
ever-faithful Yahweh.
[1]
Figures of Speech Used in the Bible. Baker Book House: Grand Rapids, Michigan
(1968), pg. 263. (Emphasis added).
[2]
All Scripture is taken from the ESV.
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