JACOB MAKES A VOW

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Next Jacob seems to be bargaining with God. He was actually bargaining for less than God had promised (v. 14).

His faith was not strong enough to take God at His word, so he had to make his tithe conditional on God’s performance of His part of the agreement, Another interpretation, however, is that the “if” is simply an inherent part of all Hebrew oaths and that Jacob was binding himself to give a tenth unconditionally (see Num. 21:2; Judg. 11:30, 31; 1 Sam. 1:11 for similar Hebrew oaths).

Genesis 28:18-22 KJV

[18] And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.

[19] And he called the name of that place Beth–el: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.

[20] 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,

[21] So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:

[22] 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.

Genesis 28:18 KJV

And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.

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• The mere setting up of the stone might have been as a future memorial to mark the spot; and this practice is still common in the East, in memory of a religious vow or engagement.
• But the pouring oil upon it was a consecration.

Genesis 28:19 KJV

And he called the name of that place Beth–el: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.

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• Accordingly he gave it a new name, Beth-el, “the house of God” (Hosea 12:4); and it will not appear a thing forced or unnatural to call a stone a house, when one considers the common practice in warm countries of sitting in the open air by or on a stone, as are those of this place.

Genesis 28:20 KJV

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,

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• His words are not to be considered as implying a doubt, far less as stating the condition or terms on which he would dedicate himself to God.
• Let “if” be changed into “since,” and the language will appear a proper expression of Jacob‘s faith – an evidence of his having truly embraced the promise.
• How edifying often to meditate on Jacob at Beth-el.

Genesis 28:21 KJV

So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:

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• What is he doing? He wants to trade with God.

He says, “Now, God, if You will do this for me. . . .” But God has already told him that He is going to do every one of these things for him—“ I am going to keep you; I am going to bring you back to this land; I am going to give you this land; and I’m going to give you offspring.”

Then Jacob turns around and bargains with Him, “If You will do it, then I’ll serve You.” God doesn’t do business with us that way.

He didn’t do business that way with Jacob either. If He had, Jacob would never have made it back to that land.

God brought him back into that land by His grace and mercy. When Jacob did finally come back to Bethel, he came back a wiser man.

Do you know what he came back to do?

To worship and praise God for His mercy. God had been merciful to him.

Many people even today say they will serve the Lord if He will do such and such. You won’t do anything of the kind, my friend.

He doesn’t do business that way. He will extend mercy to you, and He will be gracious to you without asking anything in return.

But He does say that if you love Him, you will really want to serve Him. That will be the bondage of love.

It is the same kind of love a mother has for the little child. She becomes its Support System. That’s the way that He wants you and me.

 

Genesis 28:22 KJV

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.

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• So Jacob erects this stone.
• He is trying to make a deal with God!

And a great many of us are trying to make a deal with God. Oh, my friend, He just wants to become your Father through faith in Christ.

I hope that you have really enjoyed this post,

 

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