Meaning El, the God of Israel.

In Shechem in the land of Canaan, Jacob pitched his tent (v. 19) and erected an altar, as his grandfather Abraham had done (Gen. 12:6-7). Here Jacob began to live a life as God’s called one for the fulfillment of God’s purpose.

See note Gen. 35:1^1a, par. 1.

Or, in peace.

Meaning booths.

Jacob’s building a house for himself and booths for his cattle indicate that he was still natural and for himself. He neglected the dream that he had had at Bethel and the vow that he had made to God, promising that he would build a house for Him (Gen. 28:20-22).

Lit., he.

Lit., he.

All Jacob’s fears were products of his own worrying, and all he had done in exercising his natural skill and ability to save himself was in vain. God had protected Jacob from Laban by appearing to Laban in a dream (Gen. 31:24), and He had aroused Esau’s brotherly love toward Jacob. These were God’s marvelous acts to care for His chosen one. Thus, Jacob, who had God’s promises and was on the way to reach God’s goal, did not need to fear what was behind him or what was ahead of him. Instead of trusting in his own striving, he should have rested in God and in His all-sufficient care (cf. Phil. 4:6-7; 1 Pet. 5:7).