We talk a great deal about God’s love and covenant with us–rightly so, his covenant with us is what saves us and restores the broken relationship between us and God. But, after God showed Jacob his activities with men and made his promise to follow and make him the patriarch of his nation of priests, Jacob realized how special the relationship with God was. In that moment and in that place, Jacob also made a covenant–he promised with a memorial pillar to honor God’s covenant by following him and giving a tenth of what he had to God. What a promise from the man that wheeled and dealed to get a birthright and a blessing.
Jacob’s journey had his attention. Jacob knew that it would be dangerous, and would yield no good thing–apart from God protecting and blessing him. Jacob was wise enough to acknowledge that and give God the glory, as well as his promise to yield to God’s leadership and blessing.
That is all that God requires of us. We simply covenant to follow and trust God to forgive our sin and transform us into his image. Then, he will protect, provide and prepare us for the journey and for eternity with him. For our part, he realizes we are a work in progress–as was Jacob. He will lead us to be and do the things that mature us and prepare us for now and eternity. He loves us and only wants is best in our lives–Let’s commit to following him on the journey.
God Bless You
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel,[e] though the city used to be called Luz.
20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord[f] will be my God 22 and[g] this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth
Walking With God 