Genesis 28:15 - Exposition

And, behold, I am with thee ,—spoken to Isaac (cf. Genesis 26:24 ); again to Jacob ( Genesis 31:3 ); afterwards to Christ's disciples ( Matthew 28:20 )— and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest ,—literally, in all thou goest— in all thy goings (cf. Genesis 48:16 ; Psalms 121:5 , Psalms 121:7 , Psalms 121:8 )— and will bring thee again into this land ;—equivalent to an intimation that his present journey to Padan-aram was not without the Divine sanction, though apparently it had been against the will of God that Isaac should leave the promised land ( vide Genesis 14:6 , Genesis 14:8 )— for I will not leave thee, —a promise afterwards repeated to Israel ( Deuteronomy 31:6 , Deuteronomy 31:8 ), to Joshua ( Genesis 1:5 ), to Solomon ( 1 Chronicles 28:20 ), to the poor and needy ( Isaiah 41:17 ), to Christians ( Hebrews 13:7 )— until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of— cf. Balaam's testimony to the Divine faithfulness ( Numbers 23:19 ), and Joshua's ( Genesis 21:1-34 :45), and Solomon's ( 1 Kings 8:56 ). It is impossible, in connection with this sublime theophany granted to Jacob at Bethel, not to recall the similar Divine manifestation vouchsafed to Abraham beneath the starry firmament at Hebron ( vide Genesis 15:1 ).