And Jacob vowed 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 raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee(Gen. 28:20-22).
Jacob, grandson of Abraham and chosen heir to the promise, led a rather colorful early life. At his heart, he was a simple man who took delight in home and family (Gen. 25:27), but Scripture also shows us that he was quick-witted and ambitious. As a young man, he struck a cunning bargain with his impulsive brother Esau to obtain the birthright of the firstborn (25:29-34). Later, he listened to his mother's advice and donned a disguise to deceive his father and receive the blessing Isaac intended to bestow upon Esau (27:1-30). Jacob succeeded in this subterfuge, sending Esau into a murderous rage (27:31), which resulted in Jacob fleeing to his mother’s homeland in search of refuge (27:42-45).
Jacob had been raised in a Godly household. We know from God’s revelations to Rebekah during her pregnancy with the twins (25:23) that God had chosen him as heir to the promise given to Abraham and carried through Isaac. Still, it is not until his first night on his own after his self-imposed exile that we have any record of Jacob having a personal relationship with God. Here, the Lord came to him in a dream and imparted to Jacob the same promise he had given to his Grandfather Abraham (28:13-15). Jacob’s response to this dream is at once heartening and troubling. It is heartening because it is clear that Jacob recognizes God and is willing and eager to serve Him, but it is also troubling that Jacob feels the need to place conditions on his service, almost as if he believes he has the right to barter with God. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will… then shall the Lord be my God.
Had Jacob possessed a little more faith, he would have realized his ‘conditions’ were completely unnecessary. God had already promised him everything that he was asking of Him. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of (28:15), and God never breaks His word. Jacob, however, was accustomed to bartering and scheming. He did not yet understand that neither were effective—or even truly possible—when dealing with God.
Jacob continued on to Padan-aram, where he lived for 20 years in the service of his crafty uncle/father-in-law Laban (31:41). During this time, Jacob fell in love (once), married (twice), and became a father many times over. As he served under his self-absorbed and oftentimes less-than-honest father-in-law, Jacob learned the true meaning of patience and humility. He also learned the importance of placing his whole trust in God, without reservation or condition.
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit(Jer.17:7-8).
Thought for Today: There can be no prenuptial agreement when it comes to our relationship with God. If we are with Him, we gain everything, but if we leave Him, we forfeit it all.
Christ Portrayed:By Joseph who was born (Gen. 30:23-24) to save and preserve his people (50:20). Jesus was born to offer eternal life to all mankind (41:56-57).
Word Studies:28:1 charged = commanded; 28:11 lighted upon = came to; 28:15 keep thee = watch over you with care; 28:17 How dreadful is this place = What an awesome, wonderful, holy place; 28:18 poured oil upon = anointed; 28:19 Bethel = House of God; 29:3 mouth = opening; 29:7 high = early in the; 29:12 brother = relative; 29:17 tender eyed = unattractive; 29:25 beguiled = deceived; 29:26 It must not be so done = It is not customary
Pray for StaffJudy McCrary • Government Officials: Sen Chris Van Hollen(MD) • Country: Netherlands (16,877,351) Western Europe • Major Language: Dutch • Religious Freedom • 30% Catholic; 20% Protestant; 5.8% Muslim; 2.2% Other; 42% None • Prayer Suggestion: Lift up your heart to God in prayer (Lam. 3:41).
Optional Reading:Matthew 10