Making God "Iffy" Series

Then Jacob continues to make deals. When God performs at his request then he will build God a temple and will give God a tenth of everything that he receives. Jacob will build a place of worship at the site. He called this site Bethel, which meant House of God. Eventually it would become a major center of idol worship. And there is no record of Jacob ever keeping the pledge of giving to God the tenth as promised.

How many of us are guilty of being like Jacob? God makes promises to us but we seem to be afraid to take him at his word. We prove it by relying on material things and our own abilities to accomplish all of our goals in life. God promises to always be there for us. Can your job promise that, or a family member? Do you depend more on your employer to provide for you than you do God? Do you count on a family member to never leave you, not knowing when death could make that decision for them? There is nothing that the world possesses that is guaranteed. However God’s word is dependable.

2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding ‘Yes!’ And through Christ, our ‘Amen’ (which means ‘Yes’) ascends to God for his glory.”

And how many of us have made empty vows to God so that He may prove himself faithful? We have promised to do more, to attend church more, and to give more or more often. All we ask in return that He rescues us from some catastrophe.

But when things settle down we fall back into the same routine. We want to do more but our schedules get busy. We miss attending church because we just don’t feel like going today. We can’t give anything or not as much this week because some unexpected financial crisis came up. Plus if we did give we probably couldn’t go out to eat afterwards. We unintentionally say to God if you do A, B, and C for me, then I will worship you.

God never asked Abraham for a vow. God never asked Isaac for a vow. God never asked Jacob for a vow. And God would never ask us for a vow because He knows there is a chance we would not keep it.

Let’s read what Jesus taught on the matter. Matthew 5:33-34 “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne.”

Don’t make vows that you can’t keep. Take God’s word at face value and obey it. You are better off not making bargains with God if you do not intend to keep them.

Jacob left that place and continued on. He soon arrived at a well where he met the daughter of his Uncle Laban. Her name was Rachel. She led him back to her father’s home and Jacob filled him in on everything that had taken place.

Jacob began to work for his uncle. During that time he fell in love with Rachel. After a month had passed Laban offered him a chance to request a wage. Jacob asked for Rachel in marriage. Without being prompted he offered seven years of service for her hand. Had he depended on the promise of God to return him home those seven years may not have been necessary. Laban may have been inclined to give Jacob her hand for his service of one month.