Genesis 28:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Similarly, the Church, which Rebekah may symbolize, wisely advises the new people, who face threats and persecution, to distance themselves from the wrath of those who seek to harm them. Here, the Bridegroom Himself, referring to Christ, endorses this counsel, instructing that those who harbor malicious intent and conspire to commit violence—where marriage signifies kinship—should be excluded from spiritual family ties. Instead, they should favor those who come from the household of Laban, representing the Gentiles. We see that the holy Apostles, who were the initial pioneers of faith among the nations, diligently sought to fulfill the directives given to James by withdrawing from the multitude of Jews plotting against them. They prudently aimed to escape the rage of their persecutors, relocating to different lands and cities, remembering Christ's instruction, ‘But when they persecute you in one city, flee to another’ (Matthew 10:23). To those from the tribe of Israel who rejected their message and treated them with ruthless severity, they proclaimed: ‘You were the first to be preached the word of God, but since you reject it and make yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For thus the Lord commanded us’ (Acts 13:46-47). Do you see how the Church's Bridegroom, Christ, instructed His disciples to seek the fellowship of the Hellenes, to bear fruit among them and become the fathers to those nations? Therefore, the wise Paul writes in his letter to those who believed through him among the Gentiles: ‘For though you have a thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers; I have begotten you in Christ Jesus by the gospel’ (1 Corinthians 4:15).

When Abraham dispatched his eldest servant to find a wife for Isaac in a distant land, he provided ten laden camels filled with good things; yet when Isaac sent his beloved son Jacob on a similar quest for a wife, he bestowed nothing upon him, and only Jacob's mother contributed a bit of bread and a small vessel of oil to his sack. The reason for this disparity lies in Isaac's profound faith in God; he entrusted his son to divine Providence, fully confident that God would protect Jacob on his travels and guide him safely to Laban, arranging for his well-being. Thus, when Isaac sent Jacob away, he imparted a fatherly blessing rather than material riches; he sent no servants but offered his prayers, committing Jacob’s journey to God's Providence—an assurance he himself had once experienced.

For when he was led by his father Abraham to be offered as a sacrifice, he had asked, “Father, behold the fire and the wood, where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” to which Abraham replied, “God will provide for Himself a lamb for a burnt offering, my son” (Genesis 22:7-8). And so it transpired: God did provide the lamb, and Isaac emerged unscathed. From that moment forward, Isaac never wavered in his trust of God’s Providence, always depending on it. By placing his son Jacob into God’s hands, Isaac allowed him to proceed, believing he was fortified as if by a shield and armor, surrounded by a multitude of soldiers. Jacob himself placed his confidence in the Lord, having been taught faith by his righteous parents, Isaac and Rebekah. Fearlessly, he ventured forth, unwavering and looking solely to God, trusting Him completely. This trust manifested in a divine dream where he encountered the Lord’s comforting words: “Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of” (Genesis 28:15).

From this, we glean a lesson in relying on God and His holy Providence, trusting Him without doubt; He does not abandon those who lean upon Him but ensures that all good and beneficial things are orchestrated according to His merciful goodness. If He cares for those who do not trust in Him—showering His grace upon all, just as the sun bestows its light on both the righteous and the wicked—how much more shall He tend to those who place their complete faith in Him?

Let us reflect on the experience of the Israelites in wilderness, who, despite receiving numerous blessings from God, still displayed ingratitude and disbelief, often leaning toward idolatry, complaining and inciting God's anger. As the Psalmist states, “A stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God” (Psalm 78:8). They forgot His wonders and slandered Him, questioning, “Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?” (Psalm 78:19). They professed love for Him with their lips yet their hearts were far from Him, wavering in their trust regarding His covenant.

Despite their waywardness, God remained faithful, attentive to them, providing manna in the desert, sending quails in abundance, sweetening bitter waters, and drawing forth a spring from the rock. Their clothing did not wear out over forty years, and the attire of their children grew with them. He protected them from their enemies, defeating Amalek on their behalf, and provided healing through the bronze serpent to those afflicted by snake bites. Throughout their journey, it was said, “There was no feeble person among their tribes” (Psalm 105:37). This highlights the extent of God’s Providence toward a faithless people.

Does not the Lord similarly attend to those who diligently serve Him in faith and love, placing all their trust in Him? If He provides abundantly for the ungrateful, surely He cares even more for those who express gratitude. If He does not forsake those who stray from Him, how much less will He abandon those who earnestly seek Him? Indeed, He assures us: “I will not leave thee” (Genesis 28:15); and, “Can a mother forget her child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee” (Isaiah 49:15).

People often exhibit undue concern over two matters: life's temporality and necessities. Many desire prosperous and abundant lives, seeking sufficiency in food, drink, and clothing, while few focus on their salvation. Yet the Lord instructs us in the Gospel, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). The Lord does not mislead; indeed, for those who earnestly pursue God’s kingdom, who cherish their salvation, and who faithfully serve Him, He provides abundantly, making their lives fruitful.

When afflictions or misfortunes befall His faithful servants, He does not abandon them but delivers them from their trials, guiding them to a favorable conclusion, as seen in the life of Joseph. Joseph, despised by his brothers, cast into a pit, sold into slavery, endured falsely accused and imprisoned. Yet, ultimately, God exalted him to a position of power in Egypt.

Moreover, consider how the Lord provided for His servants throughout scripture. Did He not sustain the prophet Elijah in a time of famine, sending sustenance through ravens? Did He not feed the imprisoned Daniel amidst the lions? Did He not miraculously quench the thirst of Samson with water drawn from the jawbone of a donkey? Did He forget the virtuous widow in Zarephath of Sidon, ensuring her flour and oil remained plentiful? Did He not send a prophet to rescue her from starvation?

In the face of adversities, God’s Providence never wavers. For instance, when King Jehoshaphat of Jerusalem and his army faced dehydration after seven days without water, did the Lord abandon them? No, He provided rain and filled their dry place with water, catering even to those who were disobedient for the sake of His faithful servant.

What of the many examples of divine Providence under the New Covenant? I will briefly mention two: St. Alexander, founder of the Monastery of the Sleepless Ones, and St. Theophanes of Syria, both of whom experienced God’s abundant provision in their lives. Alexander was nourished with bread, while Theophanes found a spring of water in a dry desert.

Through these examples, we can perceive the breadth of what it means for God to provide for those who trust in Him. Jacob, despite leaving his parents’ home in poverty, returned with great wealth, an embodiment of divine blessing. Parents should take note of Isaac’s example, learned to entrust their children to God’s Providence, leaving them the assurance of divine care rather than mere earthly riches. St. Chrysostom wisely advised that leaving children with God as their inheritance provides them with treasures beyond compare, greater than any temporal wealth they might receive.

A poignant story illustrates this principle: a father with extensive possessions offered his son a choice between his riches or Christ. The son chose Christ, leading his father to give away all his possessions. After his father’s passing, the son, living humbly in faith, found abundance through God’s favor.

Hence, it is evident that trusting in God’s Providence delivers true sustenance and success, reflective of Jacob’s life, an assurance for those who put their faith in His care and reveled in the blessings that stem from such reliance.