So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where God had spoken with him--a stone marker--and he poured out a drink offering on it and anointed it with oil. So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where God had spoken with himJacob's action of setting up a pillar is significant in the ancient Near Eastern context, where such markers were often used to commemorate divine encounters or significant events. This act of setting up a pillar is reminiscent of Jacob's earlier experience at Bethel ( Genesis 28:18), where he also set up a stone as a pillar after his dream of the ladder reaching to heaven. The pillar serves as a physical reminder of God's presence and promises. In biblical history, pillars often symbolize a place of worship or a memorial to a divine encounter, emphasizing the importance of remembering God's faithfulness and revelations. a stone marker
The use of a stone marker is consistent with ancient practices of erecting stones as memorials. Stones were durable and visible, serving as lasting reminders of significant events. In the biblical narrative, stone markers often signify covenantal moments or divine interventions. For example, Joshua set up twelve stones in the Jordan River as a memorial of Israel's crossing into the Promised Land (Joshua 4:9). The stone marker here signifies the sacredness of the location where God communicated with Jacob, reinforcing the idea of a tangible connection between the divine and human realms. and he poured out a drink offering on it
The pouring of a drink offering is an act of worship and dedication. Drink offerings, typically consisting of wine, were part of the sacrificial system in Israelite worship (Exodus 29:40-41). This act symbolizes the pouring out of one's life in devotion to God, reflecting a heart of gratitude and commitment. The drink offering is also seen in the New Testament, where Paul refers to his life being poured out as a drink offering (Philippians 2:17), indicating a life fully surrendered to God's service. This connection highlights the continuity of worship practices and the theme of sacrificial devotion throughout Scripture. and anointed it with oil
Anointing with oil is a significant biblical practice, symbolizing consecration and the setting apart of something or someone for a holy purpose. In the Old Testament, oil was used to anoint priests, kings, and sacred objects, marking them as dedicated to God (Exodus 30:25-30). The anointing of the pillar by Jacob signifies the sanctity of the place and the divine encounter that occurred there. This act foreshadows the anointing of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, whose title means "Anointed One." The use of oil in anointing also points to the presence and work of the Holy Spirit, who anoints believers for service and empowers them for God's purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe patriarch who is central to this passage. He is returning to Bethel, a place of significant spiritual encounters in his life. 2. BethelThe location where God had previously appeared to Jacob, and where Jacob is now reaffirming his commitment to God. 3. PillarA stone marker set up by Jacob as a memorial to commemorate God's revelation and promises to him. 4. Drink OfferingA libation poured out as an act of worship and dedication to God. 5. Anointing with OilA ritual act symbolizing consecration and the setting apart of the place as holy. Teaching Points Memorials of FaithJust as Jacob set up a pillar to remember God's promises, we should establish reminders of God's faithfulness in our lives. Acts of WorshipThe pouring of a drink offering and anointing with oil are acts of worship. We are called to worship God with our whole being, offering our lives as living sacrifices. Consecration and HolinessAnointing the pillar with oil signifies setting it apart for God. We are called to live lives that are consecrated and holy, dedicated to God's purposes. Reaffirmation of CommitmentJacob's actions at Bethel demonstrate the importance of reaffirming our commitment to God, especially after significant spiritual encounters. God's FaithfulnessThis passage reminds us of God's faithfulness to His promises, encouraging us to trust in His continued guidance and provision. Bible Study Questions 1. What significance does the location of Bethel hold in Jacob's spiritual journey, and how can we identify "Bethel moments" in our own lives? 2. How do the practices of setting up a pillar and offering a drink offering relate to our modern expressions of worship and remembrance? 3. In what ways can we consecrate our lives to God, similar to how Jacob anointed the pillar with oil? 4. How does the concept of memorials in our faith journey help us to remain steadfast in our commitment to God? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness. How can you create a "pillar" in your life to remember and celebrate that experience? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 28:18-22This earlier event at Bethel where Jacob first set up a pillar and made a vow to God connects to Genesis 35:14, showing the continuity of Jacob's faith journey. Exodus 29:40-41The drink offering is part of the sacrificial system, illustrating the practice of dedicating offerings to God. 1 Samuel 16:13Anointing with oil is seen in the anointing of David, symbolizing the Holy Spirit's presence and God's selection. Psalm 23:5The anointing of the head with oil is a sign of blessing and favor from God. Romans 12:1The concept of offering oneself as a living sacrifice connects to the idea of dedicating one's life to God, as symbolized by Jacob's actions. People Allon, Aram, Arba, Asher, Benjamin, Benoni, Bilhah, Dan, Deborah, Eder, Ephrath, Esau, Gad, Isaac, Issachar, Jacob, Joseph, Leah, Levi, Mamre, Naphtali, Rachel, Rebekah, Reuben, Simeon, Zebulun, ZilpahPlaces Allon-bacuth, Bethel, Bethlehem, Canaan, Eder, El-bethel, Ephrath, Hebron, Kiriath-arba, Luz, Mamre, Paddan-aram, ShechemTopics Drink, Drink-offering, Jacob, Oblation, Offering, Oil, Pillar, Poured, Poureth, Setteth, Spake, Spoke, Spoken, Standing, Stone, Talked, Talking, ThereonDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 35:14 4488 oil
7328 ceremonies
7350 drink offering Genesis 35:9-15 5095 Jacob, life Genesis 35:14-15 4366 stones
5443 pillars Library February the Eighth Revisiting Old Altars
"I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress." --GENESIS xxxv. 1-7. It is a blessed thing to revisit our early altars. It is good to return to the haunts of early vision. Places and things have their sanctifying influences, and can recall us to lost experiences. I know a man to whom the scent of a white, wild rose is always a call to prayer. I know another to whom Grasmere is always the window of holy vision. Sometimes a particular pew in a particular church …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling YearOur Last ChapterConcluded with the Words, "For Childhood and Youth are Vanity"...
Our last chapter concluded with the words, "For childhood and youth are vanity": that is, childhood proves the emptiness of all "beneath the sun," as well as old age. The heart of the child has the same needs--the same capacity in kind--as that of the aged. It needs God. Unless it knows Him, and His love is there, it is empty; and, in its fleeting character, childhood proves its vanity. But this makes us quite sure that if childhood can feel the need, then God has, in His wide grace, met the …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs The Death of Abraham
'Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.'--GENESIS xxv. 8. 'Full of years' does not seem to me to be a mere synonym for longevity. That would be an intolerable tautology, for we should then have the same thing said three times over--'an old man,' 'in a good old age,' 'full of years.' There must be some other idea than that in the words. If you notice that the expression is by no means a usual one, that it is only …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Trials and visions of Devout Youth
'And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The National Oath at Shechem
'And Joshua said unto the people. Ye cannot serve the Lord: for He is an holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that He hath done you good. 21. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. 22. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves, that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve Him. And they said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God The Birth of Jesus.
(at Bethlehem of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke II. 1-7. ^c 1 Now it came to pass in those days [the days of the birth of John the Baptist], there went out a decree [a law] from Cæsar Augustus [Octavius, or Augustus, Cæsar was the nephew of and successor to Julius Cæsar. He took the name Augustus in compliment to his own greatness; and our month August is named for him; its old name being Sextilis], that all the world should be enrolled. [This enrollment or census was the first step …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 35:14 NIVGenesis 35:14 NLTGenesis 35:14 ESVGenesis 35:14 NASBGenesis 35:14 KJV
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