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Patriarchs and Prophets
by expressing our gratitude in words, but, like Jacob, by gifts and
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 and privileges of
the gospel be content to give less to God than was given by those who
lived in the former, less favored dispensation? Nay, as the blessings we
enjoy are greater, are not our obligations correspondingly increased?
But how small the estimate; how vain the endeavor to measure with
mathematical rules, time, money, and love, against a love so immea-
surable 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 an unreserved consecration.
All that we have, all that we are, should be devoted to God.
With a new and abiding faith in the divine promises, and assured of
the presence and guardianship of heavenly angels, Jacob pursued his
journey to “the land of the children of the East.”
Genesis 29:1
, margin.
But how different his arrival from that of Abraham’s messenger nearly
a hundred years before! The servant had come with a train of attendants
riding upon camels, and with rich gifts of gold and silver; the son was
a lonely, footsore 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. It was Jacob now who
rendered service, rolling the stone from the well and watering the
flocks. On making known his kinship, he was welcomed to the home
of Laban. Though he came portionless and unattended, a few weeks
showed the worth of his diligence and skill, and he was urged to tarry.
It was arranged that he should render Laban seven years’ service for
the hand of Rachel.
In early times custom required the bridegroom, before the ratifica-
tion of a marriage engagement, to pay a sum of money or its equivalent
in other property, according to his circumstances, to the father of his
wife. This was regarded as a safeguard to the marriage relation. Fa-
thers did not think it safe to trust the happiness of their daughters to
men who had not made provision for the support of a family. If they
had not sufficient thrift and energy to manage business and acquire
cattle or lands, it was feared that their life would prove worthless. But
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provision was made to test those who had nothing to pay for a wife.