Genesis 28:20-21 "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"
Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons, Jacob and Esau. There are many things to be
said concerning these two individuals, but I want to hit some high points
concerning Jacob. We know, with Rebekah's help, he cheated his brother out of
his birthright. He lied to his father in order to receive the blessing that
rightfully belonged to Esau. He was quite crafty concerning getting his way
through life. We can go so far as to say he was a deceitful man; yet, the Word
of God says, "Jacob have I loved and Esau have I hated." After
cheating him, Esau made a declaration that he would not rest until he killed
his brother.
Today's verses occur in the time when Jacob has escaped for his life. He
is on his way to see Rebekah's family when he stops to spend the night in this
place. This is where he saw in a dream, "... a ladder set up on the earth,
and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and
descending on it." In that dream, God made a promise to Jacob that
he would receive the blessing of Abraham and Isaac. It would be through Jacob
that all the world would be blessed. (It would be through the lineage of Jacob
that Jesus would be born.) . It is apparent at this point that Jacob still felt
he could make his own way through life. But he is beginning to mature to the
place where he realizes he will need much help. Thus he said to God, "If
you will.... then you shall be my God..."
Can you imagine having such nerves? I ask that and yet I know there have been
times in my life when I have said something similar. "Lord, if you will do
this, then I will do such and so...." Have you ever tried to bargain
with God? Jacob tried. I have tried. I am thinking the majority, if not
everyone, has tried to make such bargains. My thought this morning is
this: God is worthy of my life being committed to Him no matter what is
happening to me at the moment." I don't need to try to make any
bargains with God.