John Calvin Commentary Genesis 35:1

"And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Beth-el, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, who appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother." — Genesis 35:1 (ASV)

And God said to Jacob. Moses relates that when Jacob had been reduced to the last extremity, God came to his help at the right time and at the critical juncture. And thus he shows, in the person of one man, that God never deserts his Church which he has once embraced, but will procure its salvation.

We must, however, observe the order of his procedure; for God did not immediately appear to his servant, but allowed him first to be tormented by grief and excessive cares, so that he might learn patience, deferring his consolation to the time of extreme necessity. Certainly, the condition of Jacob was then most miserable.

For all, on every side, might be so incensed against him that he would be surrounded with as many sources of death as there were neighboring nations; and he was not so foolish as to be unaware of his danger. God allowed the holy man to be thus tossed with cares and tormented with troubles, until, by a kind of resurrection, he restored him, as one half-dead.

Whenever we read this and similar passages, let us reflect that the providence of God watches over our salvation, even when it seems most to be asleep. Moses does not say how long Jacob was kept in anxiety, but we may infer from the context that he had been very greatly perplexed when the Lord thus revived him.

Moreover, we must observe that the principal medicine by which he was restored was contained in the expression, "The Lord spoke." Why did God not, by a miracle, move him to some other place and thus immediately remove him from all danger? Why did he not even, without a word, stretch out his hand over him and repress the ferocity of all, so that no one should attempt to hurt him?

But Moses does not insist upon this point in vain. For by this we are taught from where our greatest consolation in our afflictions is to be sought; and also, that it is the principal business of our life to depend upon the word of God, as those who are certainly persuaded that, when he has promised salvation, he will deal well with us, so that we need not hesitate to walk through the midst of deaths.

Another reason for the vision was that Jacob might not only truly perceive that God was his deliverer, but, being forewarned by his word, might learn to ascribe to God whatever followed afterwards. For since we are slow and dull, bare experience by no means suffices to attest to the favor of God towards us, unless faith arising from the word is added.

Go up to Bethel. Though it is God’s design to raise his servant from death to life, he might yet have appeared to hold him up to derision; for the objection was ready: "You indeed, O Lord, command me to go up, but all the ways are closed; for my sons have raised such a flame against me that I cannot remain safe in any hiding-place."

"I scarcely dare move a finger. What, therefore, will become of me if, with a great multitude, I now begin to move my camp? Will I not provoke new enmities against myself by my movements?" But in this way the faith of Jacob was most fully tested; because, knowing God to be the leader and guardian of his journey, he girded himself to it, relying on the divine favor.

Moreover, the Lord does not simply command what he wills to be done, but he encourages his servant by adding the promise. For, in reminding him that he is the same God who had before appeared to him as he was fleeing in alarm from his brother, a promise is included in these words.

The altar also refers to the same point; for since it is the divinely appointed sign of thanksgiving, it follows that Jacob would come there in safety, so that he might duly celebrate the grace of God.

God chooses and assigns Bethel, rather than any other place, for his sanctuary because the very sight of it would greatly help to take away terror when he remembered that there the glory of the Lord had been seen by him.

Furthermore, since God exhorts his servant to gratitude, he shows that he is kind to the faithful, so that they, in return, may acknowledge themselves to be indebted for everything to his grace and may engage in celebrating it.