Genesis 28 Footnotes

28:10-22 Because Jacob’s vision at Bethel was his closest encounter with God up to this point in his life, he was convinced this place was unique. For him it was “the house of God,” (the literal meaning of Bethel), and “the gate of heaven” (v. 17). Like his brother Esau, Jacob had not been a man of faith. But, even though the conditions he states toward the Lord (vv. 20-22) fall short of true faith, they represent a step in the right direction.