Scripture to Read: Genesis 28:20-22
We close this week with an examination of Jacob’s prayer to God in Genesis 28:20-22. As we examine Jacob’s prayer, we see that Jacob was not submitted to God, but was making his deal with God. Jacob was still trying to control his destiny, just like he and Rebekah had done with the deception of Issac. In the next phase of Jacob’s life, though, we’ll see how God teaches Jacob submission through adversity with his Uncle Laban. Today, though, we find that this so-called “vow” from Jacob was NOT God-centered but completely man-centered. In the “Enduring Word” commentary, we see the sharp contrast between God’s promise and Jacob’s man-centered vow. In God’s promise to Jacob in Genesis 28:13-15, we find that God says the following, I am the LORD God, I will give to you, I am with you, I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken. God can say all of that because HE alone is GOD. But in contrast, we have Jacob’s vow to God in Genesis 28:20-22. Note Jacob says the following: if God will be with me, and keep me, in this way that I am going, give me bread and clothing, so that I come back to my father’s house. Note that Jacob uses the words me, I, and my six times. His vow is all about himself. We must always come to God with a humble heart and realize all we already have is from Him. Gratefulness and humbleness and not selfishness is what we must practice daily.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today, through Jacob, about humbleness and selfishness?
2. How are you living each day to guard against selfishness and true living in humility before our Lord and others?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!