He calleth the place by that name which was after given unto it, Gen. 28:19 .
Historical and theological verse study from Book of Genesis, Chapter 13.
Apply the spiritual lesson of Genesis 13:3 through prayerful reflection and faithful obedience.
“Gracious Father, write the truth of Genesis 13:3 upon my heart by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.”
“And he returned by the way, that he came, from the south to Bethel, to the place where before he had pitched his tent between Bethel and Hai,”
“Reversusque est per iter, quo venerat, a meridie in Bethel, usque ad locum ubi prius fixerat tabernaculum inter Bethel et Hai,”
“And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;”
“From the Negev he journeyed from place to place toward Bethel, until he came to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had formerly been pitched,”
“He went on his journeys from the South even to Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,”
“And he went on his journeys from the South even to Beth-el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beth-el and Ai,”
He calleth the place by that name which was after given unto it, Gen. 28:19 .
He calleth the place by that name which was after given unto it, Gen. 28:19 .
III. His removal to Beth-el, v. 3, 4. Thither he went, not only because there he had formerly had his tent, and he was willing to go among his old acquaintance, but because there he had formerly had his altar: and, though the altar was gone (probably he himself having taken it down, when he left the place, lest it should be polluted by the idolatrous Canaanites), yet he came to the place of the altar, either to revive the remembrance of the sweet communion he had had with God in that place, or perhaps to pay the vows he had there made to God when he undertook his journey into Egypt. Long afterwards God sent Jacob to this same place on that errand (ch. 35 1), Go up to Beth-el, where thou vowedst the vow. We have need to be reminded, and should take all occasions to remind ourselves, of our solemn vows; and perhaps the place where they were made may help to bring them afresh to mind, and it may therefore do us good to visit it.
Verses 1-4 Abram was very rich: he was very heavy, so the Hebrew word is; for riches are a burden; and they that will be rich, do but load themselves with thick clay, ( Habakkuk 2:6 ) . There is a burden of care in getting riches, fear in keeping them, temptation in using them, guilt in abusing them, sorrow in losing them, and a burden of account at last to be given up about them. Yet God in his providence sometimes makes good men rich men, and thus God's blessing made Abram rich without sorrow, ( Proverbs 10:22 ) . Though it is hard for a rich man to get to heaven, yet in some cases it may be, ( mark 10:23 mark 10:24 ) . Nay, outward prosperity, if well managed, is an ornament to piety, and an opportunity for doing more good. Abram removed to Beth-el. His altar was gone, so that he could not offer sacrifice; but he called on the name of the Lord. You may as soon find a living man without breath as one of God's people without prayer.
“Abram passed through the country unto the place of Sichem, as far as the noble vale: now the Chanaanite was at that time in the land.”
“And passing on from thence to a mountain, that was on the east side of Bethel, he there pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: he built there also an altar to the Lord, and called upon his name.”