Jacob tested God despite how people want to read this passage as echoing back of God’s word to Jacob in the vision. A promise God made to man over and over again, that He would be provider and God to those who honor, trusted and followed Him. Jacob’s test to God was if you bring me back, not when you bring me back. Jacob knew the promise of the land of promise to the children of Abraham. Jacob was going outside the camp of the promise land to get a wife, to run to a place of safety, until his father either died or calmed down from his deception. He went to his uncle house for protection his mother’s brother’s home. Yet it was not declared as protection but it was a type of protection, for his safety was not among strangers If God was with Him during his journey, He would build his house of God on the pillar he rested his head on.

What does it mean to build a house for God. It is about the establishment of a structure of spiritual faith. Jacob’s journey to his ancestors was about spiritual faith and not faith alone but God enabling Jacob to return to the land of promise, the land of his father, Isaac. His faith would be established by the promise of God going with him and in return he would give tenth, worship and honor God all the days of his life. Jacob would honor God with a tithe of his possessions. Yet first the condition of going to the land of his ancestors must take place. A condition before Lord God would be Jacob’s God.

What kind of test are you putting before the Lord to establish Him as your God. Jacob did not question whether God Jehovah was real, he question whether he wanted God’s authority in his life. His receiving Christ as Lord and Savior meet with a condition by believer, or is divine salvation enough to trust for eternity with God by God enough. Jacob had barter with Esau to his birthright and now Jacob barter with God over food and protection for Him to honor God. How often are our conditions something God would honor. What Jacob requested was what God had promised him. Yet it was with the condition of protection and food that was a sign of God’s provision to a place unfamiliar to Jacob. Jacob saying to God only if you first do this for me. Make sure if you request God for something, it is something He has done for others, for God will honor what He has promised. For example Jacob knew it was God because of the promise He was making Jacob to protect him. Jacob knew the place He laid was holy ground. Yet he still feared God not enough, to receive the promise without a condition. Jacob’s grandfather Abraham left on the promise of God of a land flowing with milk and honey. Abraham went without conditions being made. He honor God without conditions. Jacob sought conditions. Jacob wanted to control God’s gift by receiving it only if God would prove himself to Jacob. God expecting Jacob to honor his promise as He also honored His promise.

Dear Heavenly Father help us not to barter for what you have already promised, but hold you to the promise of protection and provision. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study for Devotion: