saac as a not-very-strong person, much influenced by his wife, attempting to play a role of strength by issuing commands, something which even god does not ordinarily do. (412)When Esau heard how Isaac didnt like local girls, he took Mahalath, daughter of Ishmael, as wife. When Jacob fled, he came to a certain place and lay down to sleep for the night. This was a dangerous mission, for who could tell if the local gods would protect one across the border? (913) For a pillow, he took a stone. That night when he slept he dreamed. He dreamt of a ladder to heaven from the earth, on which the angels were climbing and descending, and god said to him that he was the god of Abraham, and how this land shall be Jacobs as promised, and how he shall have great posterity. Jacob awoke surprised at the holiness of the place, and thought it was a gate to heaven. Jacob sees through the dream to the presence of the absent god, and he is filled with awe, the fundamental religious passion. (114)In the morning Jacob made a pillar with the stone, poured oil on it, and called the place Bethel, even though it was originally called Luz. Then Jacob made a vow saying, If god will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my fathers house in peace, then the lord shall be my god, and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be gods house; and of all that you give me I will surely give you one-tenth to you.(Gen 28:20-22)(515) Jacobs response is equally in character. He is awed by gods presence but still tries to make a deal with him by vowing that if god keeps his promise in four specifically personal ways (protection on his way, food, clothing, and a safe return home), he will acknowledge him and even reward him by tithingto sweeten the pot for god, as it werea sure sign of Jacobs contractual approach to the matter. (416) Now Jacob came upon the land of the people of the...
