Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsGenesis 28

English College of Douai–Rheims

Genesis 28:11

Took of the stones.

^◦ Jacob travelling into a strange country went in such poor estate, the better to hide his departure from Esau, who otherwise might have killed him by the way. It was also thus disposed by God, that Jacob's faith and confidence might, to his greater merit, be exercised; and that God's providence might more manifestly appear, as it did in his return saying (Gen. 32:) With my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now with two troops I do return.

◦ Why Jacob travelled in poor estate.

Genesis 28:12

A ladder.

He that was in temporal distress was marvelously comforted spiritually ^[1], by seeing a ladder that reached from the earth to heaven; Angels passing up and down the same, and the Son of God leaning upon it, as he that reigneth both in heaven and earth, who in particular promised him and his seed that whole land, that he and his seed should be blessed, yea that in His Seed all nations should be blessed ^[2], and that he would keep and protect him where-soever he went. How all this was performed is briefly rehearsed in the book of wisdom chap. 10.

1 A notable example of God's comfort to the afflicted.
2 All nations believing in Christ are blessed in him.

Genesis 28:18

Erected it, pouring oil.

To erect a stone, and pour oil upon it, was nowise superstitious in Jacob. Neither did he learn it of Idolaters: for he abhorred and detested all idolatrical observances. But as S. Iustinus Martyr S. Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Eusebius, and others testify, idolatrical superstition did rather imitate true religious ^[1] ceremonies. For the devil always affecting that honour which he seeth done to God, persuaded those whom he seduced and blinded with errors, to serve him in such manner of external rites, as God was served ^[2], that thereby he might either have like worship with God, as it happened among Paynim Idolaters: or else deprive God of this kind of honour, as now we see Protestants reject and pull down consecrated Altars pretending them to be superstitious. Wherein they shew most gross ignorance, if indeed they so judge of ignorance, and not of mere malice. For who is so simple, but he may see that the chief ^[3] difference between Religion and Superstition in external things, consisteth in the persons to whom they are done, and in the intention of the doers, and by the same difference of person's civil honours is also distinguished, from both religious & superstitious. As he that kneeleth to God, religiously honoureth God. Kneeling to the sun; moon, or other false-Gods, superstitiously honoureth the devil, and kneeling to the King civilly honoureth the King. Jacob without doubt did all to God's only honour. And that which he did in this place, is now used in the Catholic Church. For so Rabunus, a diligent observer and writer of Ecclesiastical Rites, Ceremonies, and Custom, touching the use of holy oil witnesseth (li. 1. c. 45. Institut. cleric.) that the Altar being first sprinkled with water, is anointed with Chrism, to the example of the Patriarch Jacob, who after that dreadful vision, erected a stone for a title (or monument) pouring oil thereon, and calling that place The house of God S. Cyprian also writing of Chrism mentioneth the two sorts of holy oil used in the Church ^[4]; one of simple oil consecrated by a Bishop, which is used for Catechumens before Baptism, persons possessed, and the sick; the other is made of oil and balm, also consecrated by a Bishop, and this is used in Baptism, Confirmation, and in consecrating Altars, Kings, and Priests.

1 Erecting and anointing of Altars is a religious office being done to God's honour.
2 The Church learneth not rites of Idolaters, but they of the Church.
3 Difference in religious, and civil honour, consisteth in the persons, & intentions.
4 Two sorts of holy oil.

Genesis 28:20

Vowed.

It cannot be understood that Jacob here vowed or promised only to serve God, as the Sovereign Lord of all creatures, for to that he was bound, whether he should prosper temporally or no; but that he vowed particular godly works, ^[1] to which he was not otherwise obliged. As here he expresseth two things. Presupposing before all, that the Lord Omnipotent shall be his God, he addeth, First, And this stone, which I have erected for a title, shall be called the house of God. Whereby he promised the building of a Church, performed at his return (chap. 35.) Secondly, he added, And of all things which thou shalt give me I will offer tithes to thee. And this Likewise was of free devotion. ^[2] For tithes also in the law of nature were due to Priests, and by inferior Priests to the chief Priest, as Abraham gave tithes to Melchisedech. And so all his tithes were due to his father, and after his father himself was chief: yet he promised them to God, that is, to offer them in Sacrifice, and bestow them in other uses pertaining to God's service.

1 Vows are properly of things which are not otherwise commanded.
2 Gen. 14.

Original Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0