But Jacob being departed from Bersabee, went on to Haran.
וַיֵּצֵ֥א יַעֲקֹ֖ב מִבְּאֵ֣ר שָׁ֑בַע וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ חָרָֽנָה׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
If it suits you, and you still have the strength, let us observe the path taken by James. By paying close attention, we can gain valuable insights, for the actions of the righteous are filled with profound wisdom. Consider this young man, raised in his own home, who has not faced the trials of travel, the challenges of life in a foreign land, or any of the usual anxieties. Observe how he embarks on his journey, and take note of the remarkable discernment he displays.
The city is referred to as ‘Beersheba,’ meaning ‘Oath-bound Treasure.’ This is substantiated by the Scripture: ‘The same day the servants of Isaac came and informed him of the well which they had dug, and said unto him, We have found water. And he called it Shiva. Therefore the name of that city is Beersheba.... until this day’ (Gen. 26:32-33). Additionally, we can explain why it is known as ‘the hoard of oaths,’ should anyone be interested. There, the leaders of Gerar, Abimelech and his companions, entered into a covenant of peace with Isaac. We mention this in a more straightforward manner while recognizing its deeper significance.
When we shift to a more spiritual perspective, we see the early faith-filled community, akin to the holy Apostles, striving earnestly to steer clear of the wrath of those who persecuted them, namely the Jews. Traveling from place to place, they sought to unite themselves with the Gentiles, desiring to draw them to spiritual fellowship, much like Jacob's pursuit of Laban's daughters when he was in fear of Esau's violent intentions against him.
In this narrative, it is noteworthy that Jacob, despite being the son of a wealthy father, departed from his parental home alone, resembling a beggar, with merely a piece of bread and a small container of oil, and a staff in hand. Upon returning, prosperous and accompanied by numerous servants, he expressed to God: "With this rod I crossed the Jordan; now I am two bands" (Genesis 32:10). Why did Isaac not send along at least a few servants to guard him and carry his necessities? Or, at the very least, one servant to bear the bread and oil?
When Abraham dispatched his eldest servant to procure a wife for Isaac from a distant land, he provided ten camels loaded with provisions; yet Isaac, when sending his favored son Jacob for a wife, provided him with nothing but the meager offerings from his mother—a little bread and a flask of oil. What accounts for this difference? The answer lies in Isaac's profound faith and unwavering trust in God. He entrusted his son to divine Providence, firmly believing that God would safeguard Jacob on his journey and ensure his well-being as he reached Laban's household. Thus, instead of gifts of riches, Isaac bestowed upon Jacob his paternal blessing; rather than companions, he offered his prayers, relying wholly on God's providential care, which he himself had previously experienced.
Isaac’s encounter with God remains vivid; when he was led to be sacrificed by his father, Abraham, he asked, "Father, behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham replied, "God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering" (Genesis 22:7-8). This event solidified Isaac's trust in God’s Providence. In sending Jacob away, Isaac did so with the confidence of one armed and shielded, virtually surrounded by soldiers. Jacob also placed his hope in God, having been raised by righteous parents, Isaac and Rebecca; he traveled fearlessly, undoubting, and solely focused on God.
In a remarkable vision, Jacob experienced God’s assurance: "Behold, I am with you, and will keep you in all places where you go, and will bring you again into this land; for I will not leave you until I have done that which I have spoken to you" (Genesis 28:15). This teaches us to steadfastly rely on God and His sacred Providence without hesitation. God does not abandon those who place their trust in Him; rather, He orchestrates every good and beneficial thing for their lives according to His merciful will. If He cares for the ungrateful, pouring out His grace on all, as the sun shines on both the righteous and the unrighteous, how much more does He look after those who wholly depend on Him?
Take, for instance, the Israelites in the wilderness, who were often ungrateful for God’s blessings, despite witnessing His mighty works. The Psalmist describes them as "a rebellious and stubborn generation, a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God” (Psalm 78:37). They questioned God's ability to provide in the wilderness, saying, "Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?" Their lack of faith contrasted sharply with their verbal expressions of love for God, as they failed to trust in His covenant. Even so, God's Providence was unwavering; He fed them with manna, sent quail to satisfy their hunger, sweetened bitter waters, and provided sustenance and protection for forty years, ensuring their garments remained intact.
Thus, God’s attentiveness to those who serve Him in faith and love is unquestionable. To those who are ungrateful, He extends His care; how much more will He nurture those who offer gratitude? God provides for those who have strayed from Him, and He certainly will not abandon those who draw near. He reassures us: "I will not leave you" (Genesis 28:15), and even likens His faithfulness to that of a mother: "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yet will I not forget you" (Isaiah 49:15).
People often become overly preoccupied with the temporary aspects of life, desiring prosperity and ease, seeking sufficiency in material needs. Yet few genuinely prioritize their salvation. The Lord reminds us in the Gospel: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). God is true to His word, promising that those who pursue His Kingdom with diligence will receive care and provision in abundance for their earthly needs. He orchestrates life’s circumstances to benefit those who serve Him faithfully, just as He did for Jacob.
When adversity befalls His servants, He does not forsake them; He delivers them and leads them to favorable outcomes, as exemplified in Joseph’s life. Despite being betrayed and imprisoned, God elevated him to prominence in Egypt. Throughout Scripture, we see that He will sustain His servants, be it through miraculous means, as when Elijah was fed by ravens or when Daniel was nourished in the lion's den. God miraculously provided for those in need, ensuring their survival in dire circumstances, like the widow of Zarephath who, despite her poverty, was supplied through divine intervention.
This example serves as a reminder for parents to place their trust in God's Providence for their children rather than merely leaving material wealth. As St. Chrysostom wisely instructs, it is more invaluable to entrust our children to God than to burden them with riches. He emphasizes that true security lies not in earthly possessions but in faithfulness to God.
The story of a monk in the desert alongside his friend conveys this lesson. When a wealthy man sought to entrust his daughter to a humble, God-fearing husband, he prayed for guidance. Upon God's direction, he found a worthy suitor in the monk, illustrating how God rewards faith and reliance on His provision.
In recounting these stories, we see the abundant care and provision of God for those who depend on Him. It reminds us that true sustenance comes from trusting in His Providence rather than accumulating worldly wealth.
The place known as the 'repository of oaths' associated with Bathsheba, from which Jacob's journey began, was located in the southern region of the Philistine territory. This was where Abraham chose to dwell following the destruction of Sodom, and it was also the residence of Isaac. The term 'oath-bearing cemetery' originated from the covenant made between Abraham and Abimelech, the king of the Philistines, which ensured Abraham's safety from his subjects and was solidified through an oath (Genesis 21:31). Harran, the destination of Jacob, was a city in Mesopotamia, from which Abraham departed following the death of his father, Terah, in obedience to God's command to settle in Canaan.
It was in Harran where his brother Nahor lived, and there Jacob's father found a wife for Isaac—Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel, who was Nahor's son. After receiving the blessing from his father, Jacob set out from Beersheba towards Harran to visit his relatives. This journey was motivated by his mother’s counsel, as Jacob sought to escape Esau's wrath; Esau had vowed to kill him for the blessing Jacob had obtained. Additionally, Jacob’s journey aimed to secure a wife from his maternal lineage, particularly as Rebekah suffered due to Esau's choice of wives from the Canaanite tribe. She voiced her distress to Isaac about Jacob potentially marrying a Canaanite woman. Isaac, displeased with Esau’s marriages, instructed Jacob to go to Harran to choose a wife from the daughters of Laban, who was Rebekah's brother, and he blessed Jacob, reaffirming the blessing previously given (Genesis 27:41-46, Genesis 28:1-5). As wealthy individuals, Jacob’s parents could have dispatched him with a caravan, much like Abraham had done when sending his servant Eliezer to Harran to find a bride for Isaac (Genesis 24:10). However, hoping that God, who had chosen Jacob as the heir to His promises, would watch over him on this extensive journey, and wishing to keep Jacob’s voyage hidden from Esau, they allowed him to depart alone—on foot, carrying only a staff (Genesis 32:10) and a travel bag on his shoulders, which contained oil among other items (Genesis 28:18).
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS