Jacob’s Flight and Exile
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be God’s house: and of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give
the tenth unto Thee.”
Jacob was not seeking to make terms with God. The Lord had
already promised him prosperity, and this vow was the outflow of a
heart filled with gratitude for the assurance of God’s mercy. Jacob felt
that the special tokens of divine favor demanded a return.
The Christian should often recall with gratitude the precious deliv-
erances that God has wrought for him, opening ways before him when
all seemed dark and forbidding, refreshing him when ready to faint.
In view of innumerable blessings he should often ask, “What shall I
render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?”
Psalm 116:12
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Why the Tithe Is Sacred
Whenever a special deliverance is wrought in our behalf, or new
and unexpected favors are granted us, we should acknowledge God’s
goodness by gifts or offerings to His cause. As we are continually
receiving the blessings of God, so we are to be continually giving.
“Of all that Thou shalt give me,” said Jacob, “I will surely give
the tenth unto Thee.” Shall we who enjoy the full light of the gospel
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be content to give less to God than was given by those who lived
in the former dispensation? Are not our obligations correspondingly
increased? But how vain to measure with mathematical rules, time,
money, and love, against a love so immeasurable and a gift of such
inconceivable worth. Tithes for Christ! Oh, meager pittance, shameful
recompense for that which cost so much! From the cross of Calvary,
Christ calls for unreserved consecration of all that we have, all that we
are.
With new faith and assured of the presence of heavenly angels,
Jacob pursued his journey to “the land of the children of the East.”
But how differently his arrival from that of Abraham’s messenger
nearly a hundred years before! The servant had come with a train
of attendants riding on camels, with rich gifts of gold and silver; the
son was a lonely, foot-sore traveler, with no possession save his staff.
Like Abraham’s servant, Jacob tarried beside a well, and it was here
that he met Rachel, Laban’s younger daughter. On making known his
kinship, he was welcomed to the home of Laban. A few weeks showed
the worth of his diligence and skill, and he was urged to tarry. It was