Gênesis 28
John Chrysostom · Comentário Patrístico (catena)
Gênesis 28:4
See how this good man foretells everything to him and gives Jacob sufficient support for his comfort by forecasting to him his return and possession of the land and the fact that not only will he grow into a multitude but also that a league of nations will come from his descendants. On hearing this the young man carried out his father's wishes and traveled to Meso-potamia to his mother's brother, Laban.… Do you see, dearly beloved, how much perspicacity this loving mother showed in rescuing Jacob from danger by supplying a plausible excuse for his journey, neither highlighting Esau's wickedness nor revealing the reason to the father but giving appropriate advice to her son so that he might be persuaded through fear to accept what was said by her and propose a convincing plan to his father? Hence the good man went along with what she said and sent Jacob on his way after plying him with his blessings. — HOMILIES ON GENESIS 54.14-15
Gênesis 28:11
When the sun was setting, the text tells us, he slept where the night came upon him: "He took a stone and put it under his head." See the young fellow's hardy spirit: He used the stone as a pillow and slept on the ground. Consequently, since he was imbued with common sense and a hardy attitude and was free of all human pretence, he was found worthy of that remarkable vision. Our Lord is like that, you see: When he sees a dutiful soul that makes no account of present realities, he demonstrates his own great care for him. — HOMILIES ON GENESIS 54.17
Gênesis 28:13
Notice here, I ask you, the extraordinary care of the loving God. When he saw [Jacob] consenting to the journey in accordance with his mother's advice, which came out of fear of his brother, and taking to the road like some athlete, with no support from any source, leaving everything instead to help from on high, Christ wanted at the very beginning of the journey to strengthen Jacob's resolve. And so he appeared to him with the words "I am the God of Abraham and the God of your father Isaac." I have caused the patriarch and your father to experience a great increase in prosperity; so, far from being afraid, believe that I am he who fulfilled my promises and will shower on you my care. — HOMILIES ON GENESIS 54.18
Gênesis 28:18
Since he had been granted wonderful favors by way of the vision, [Jacob] wished to make the place memorable by a name and to keep the memory fresh for future ages. He set up the stone as a monument, poured oil on it (this, after all, was probably all he had with him, traveling as he was like this), and to the loving God he offered a prayer characterized by complete good sense. — HOMILIES ON GENESIS 54.23
Gênesis 28:22
See the good man's gratitude: In making his request Jacob did not bring himself to ask for anything lavish—just bread and clothing. On the other hand, he promised to the Lord what lay within his power, realizing God's generosity in giving and the fact that he surpasses our expectations in rewarding us. And so he said, "I will consider the monument God's house, and of all the things provided me by you I will set aside a tenth." Do you see his godly attitude? He still had not received anything, and yet he promised to devote to God a tenth of what was due to be given him.Let us not pass idly by these words, dearly beloved. Instead, may we all imitate this good man, we in the age of grace imitating this man who lived before the law, and let us ask the Lord for nothing of this world. After all, he does not wait for a reminder from us. Even if we don't ask, he grants us what we need. "He makes the sun rise on evil people and good, and rains on just and unjust." Let us believe him as he advises us in these words, "Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will come to you in addition." Do you see that he personally has made the former things ready for us and promises to give the latter as a bonus? Accordingly, don't request as an initial favor what you are likely to receive as a bonus, thus reversing the due order. Instead, let us seek the former things, as he directed, so that we may come to enjoy the former and the latter. — HOMILIES ON GENESIS 54.25-26