So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:
Fleeing for his life as a lonely and remorseful fugitive, Jacob promised that if God would stay with him, provide food and clothing, and bring him safely home again, he would take the Lord as his God. He made this vow after sinfully grasping the promised blessing by his own scheming, while homeless, weary and fearful that he had forfeited divine protection. The promise was not bargaining for prosperity already assured to him, but the overflow of a grateful heart softened by the vision of the ladder and the assurance of mercy, acknowledging that God had claims upon him. That vow remained binding after the vision faded, and on his wealthy return he faithfully honored it by giving a tenth of all he had gained, reckoning even what he had used while in exile. It teaches that every mercy and special deliverance demands a corresponding return, not gratitude alone but time, talents and property devoted to Him who gave them.
Setting and Solemn Vow
Jacob spoke these words while fleeing for his life from Esau after sinfully obtaining by his own doing the blessing God had already promised by sure word, showing lack of faith in God's power to carry out His purposes however discouraging appearances were. Forced to flee from Esau's wrath with only his staff, he traveled hundreds of miles through desolate country, his courage gone and filled with remorse and timidity, weary, hungry and homeless, avoiding men lest his angry brother trace him. He wept in confession, had no peace of God, and was harassed by the thought that he had forfeited divine protection, though repentant and still troubled by fear and hardship.
In that lonely place God had not forgotten him but gave him a dream of a ladder of shining brightness with its base firmly planted on the earth and its topmost round entering the throne of God and heaven, with shining angels on every round ascending and descending. The ladder was recognized as the gate of heaven to the soul and symbolized the heavenward ascent of those who love God. It showed God still reaching him through angels whose whole work is to draw those who shall be heirs of salvation, to keep back the powers of Satan, and to meet every step toward Jesus, so that whenever a person takes a step toward Jesus, Jesus takes steps toward him, with a voice renewing mercy, protection and future blessing.
On waking in the deep stillness of night after the shining forms had disappeared, with only the dim outline of lonely hills and the heavens bright with stars, Jacob had a solemn sense that God was with him and an unseen presence filling the solitude. Awed by God's immediate presence, grateful not to be destroyed, sleepless with deep gratitude and holy joy, he was comforted and gained confidence in God before his difficulties had fully passed. His experience that night marked his new birth and becoming a child of God.
Early in the morning after the night vision, with deep gratitude for the promise that God's presence would be with him, he took the stone he had used for a pillow, set it up for a pillar, and poured oil on it in accordance with the custom of commemorating important events as a memorial of God's mercy where he could tarry to worship whenever he passed that way. He called the place Bethel, meaning the house of God. There he made a solemn vow that if God would be with him and keep him in the way he went and give him bread to eat and clothing to wear and bring him back to his father's house in peace, then the LORD would be his God. The conditions reflected his need as a lonely fugitive, repeating again and again in the fulness of his soul with deepest gratitude and love the gracious promise of God's help and presence.
The vow was not an attempt to make terms with God, for prosperity had already been promised, but the outflow of a heart filled with gratitude, love and assurance of God's love and mercy, feeling that God had claims that must be acknowledged. It was made when his heart was softened by the Spirit, when divine light shone with unusual clearness and power, when natural feeling was overcome and selfishness lost power, when desire was awakened to imitate self-denial and benevolence, and when love of God and souls triumphed over selfishness and love of the world, with heavenly angels present. As the words of a wanderer resting on a stone at Bethel, they show that hardship and grief can lead a person nearer to God.
Keeping Vow and Giving
The pledge to take the Lord as God upon being brought back to the father's house in peace remained binding after the glory and assurance of the vision had passed, and it must not be set aside as only a dream or excitement, for it stands as an example of vows to God that should be kept faithfully. He stayed faithful through temptation and through long years before he dared return, and when he returned wealthy he faithfully discharged his debt with a very large amount to the Lord's treasury. He gave the tenth of all he had and reckoned even the use of the tenth during his time in a heathen land where he could not pay, not regarding what he vowed as his own, showing that larger capital entrusted requires larger return to God.
The vow included making the pillar stone God's house and returning to God a tenth of all God gave him, and it was made while he was a penniless exile. The giving was to be voluntary, not compelled, expressing gratitude for God's mercies and blessings and recognizing Him as the giver. This willing return of tithes and offerings sustains the advancement of God's cause through the personal efforts and free-will offerings of His people, including churches, schools and publishing houses, as converted partakers become co-workers.
God has claims that must be acknowledged and special tokens of divine favor demand a corresponding return. Every blessing bestowed calls for a response to the Author of mercies, and special deliverance and new and unexpected favors call for following Jacob's example. That response is not to be with indifference or thankless hearts and not with gratitude alone but with time, talents and property sacredly devoted in trust to Him who gave them. Christians should often review past life, recall with gratitude God's precious deliverances, support in trial, opened ways and refreshment, recognize them as evidences of the watchcare of heavenly angels, and ask with subdued and grateful heart what to render to the Lord for all His benefits.
The account of the vision and God's fulfilled promises taught Joseph in exile to trust the God of his fathers as his own God, give himself fully to the Lord, and pray for God's presence and protection. Remembering the vow and God's mercy, Jacob later prepared his household to worship by removing their idols before returning to the sacred place. He held to the promise when he pleaded with God in his later crisis. His safe return to Canaan and arrival at Shechem fulfilled the prayer made at Bethel to be brought back to his father's household in peace.
Fleeing for his life as a lonely and remorseful fugitive, Jacob promised that if God would stay with him, provide food and clothing, and bring him safely home again, he would take the Lord as his God. He made this vow after sinfully grasping the promised blessing by his own scheming, while homeless, weary and fearful that he had forfeited divine protection. The promise was not bargaining for prosperity already assured to him, but the overflow of a grateful heart softened by the vision of the ladder and the assurance of mercy, acknowledging that God had claims upon him. That vow remained binding after the vision faded, and on his wealthy return he faithfully honored it by giving a tenth of all he had gained, reckoning even what he had used while in exile. It teaches that every mercy and special deliverance demands a corresponding return, not gratitude alone but time, talents and property devoted to Him who gave them.
Setting and Solemn Vow
Jacob spoke these words while fleeing for his life from Esau after sinfully obtaining by his own doing the blessing God had already promised by sure word, showing lack of faith in God's power to carry out His purposes however discouraging appearances were. Forced to flee from Esau's wrath with only his staff, he traveled hundreds of miles through desolate country, his courage gone and filled with remorse and timidity, weary, hungry and homeless, avoiding men lest his angry brother trace him. He wept in confession, had no peace of God, and was harassed by the thought that he had forfeited divine protection, though repentant and still troubled by fear and hardship.
In that lonely place God had not forgotten him but gave him a dream of a ladder of shining brightness with its base firmly planted on the earth and its topmost round entering the throne of God and heaven, with shining angels on every round ascending and descending. The ladder was recognized as the gate of heaven to the soul and symbolized the heavenward ascent of those who love God. It showed God still reaching him through angels whose whole work is to draw those who shall be heirs of salvation, to keep back the powers of Satan, and to meet every step toward Jesus, so that whenever a person takes a step toward Jesus, Jesus takes steps toward him, with a voice renewing mercy, protection and future blessing.
On waking in the deep stillness of night after the shining forms had disappeared, with only the dim outline of lonely hills and the heavens bright with stars, Jacob had a solemn sense that God was with him and an unseen presence filling the solitude. Awed by God's immediate presence, grateful not to be destroyed, sleepless with deep gratitude and holy joy, he was comforted and gained confidence in God before his difficulties had fully passed. His experience that night marked his new birth and becoming a child of God.
Early in the morning after the night vision, with deep gratitude for the promise that God's presence would be with him, he took the stone he had used for a pillow, set it up for a pillar, and poured oil on it in accordance with the custom of commemorating important events as a memorial of God's mercy where he could tarry to worship whenever he passed that way. He called the place Bethel, meaning the house of God. There he made a solemn vow that if God would be with him and keep him in the way he went and give him bread to eat and clothing to wear and bring him back to his father's house in peace, then the LORD would be his God. The conditions reflected his need as a lonely fugitive, repeating again and again in the fulness of his soul with deepest gratitude and love the gracious promise of God's help and presence.
The vow was not an attempt to make terms with God, for prosperity had already been promised, but the outflow of a heart filled with gratitude, love and assurance of God's love and mercy, feeling that God had claims that must be acknowledged. It was made when his heart was softened by the Spirit, when divine light shone with unusual clearness and power, when natural feeling was overcome and selfishness lost power, when desire was awakened to imitate self-denial and benevolence, and when love of God and souls triumphed over selfishness and love of the world, with heavenly angels present. As the words of a wanderer resting on a stone at Bethel, they show that hardship and grief can lead a person nearer to God.
Keeping Vow and Giving
The pledge to take the Lord as God upon being brought back to the father's house in peace remained binding after the glory and assurance of the vision had passed, and it must not be set aside as only a dream or excitement, for it stands as an example of vows to God that should be kept faithfully. He stayed faithful through temptation and through long years before he dared return, and when he returned wealthy he faithfully discharged his debt with a very large amount to the Lord's treasury. He gave the tenth of all he had and reckoned even the use of the tenth during his time in a heathen land where he could not pay, not regarding what he vowed as his own, showing that larger capital entrusted requires larger return to God.
The vow included making the pillar stone God's house and returning to God a tenth of all God gave him, and it was made while he was a penniless exile. The giving was to be voluntary, not compelled, expressing gratitude for God's mercies and blessings and recognizing Him as the giver. This willing return of tithes and offerings sustains the advancement of God's cause through the personal efforts and free-will offerings of His people, including churches, schools and publishing houses, as converted partakers become co-workers.
God has claims that must be acknowledged and special tokens of divine favor demand a corresponding return. Every blessing bestowed calls for a response to the Author of mercies, and special deliverance and new and unexpected favors call for following Jacob's example. That response is not to be with indifference or thankless hearts and not with gratitude alone but with time, talents and property sacredly devoted in trust to Him who gave them. Christians should often review past life, recall with gratitude God's precious deliverances, support in trial, opened ways and refreshment, recognize them as evidences of the watchcare of heavenly angels, and ask with subdued and grateful heart what to render to the Lord for all His benefits.
The account of the vision and God's fulfilled promises taught Joseph in exile to trust the God of his fathers as his own God, give himself fully to the Lord, and pray for God's presence and protection. Remembering the vow and God's mercy, Jacob later prepared his household to worship by removing their idols before returning to the sacred place. He held to the promise when he pleaded with God in his later crisis. His safe return to Canaan and arrival at Shechem fulfilled the prayer made at Bethel to be brought back to his father's household in peace.