Genesis 28:16-22

2008.Oct.31 05:20

Jacob’s Response

Read Genesis 28:16-22 | Full Chapter

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it." He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." So Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on its top. He called the name of that place Bethel; however, previously the name of the city had been Luz. Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take, and will give me food to eat and garments to wear, and I return to my father's house in safety, then the LORD will be my God. "This stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God's house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You."
(Genesis 28:16-22, NASB)

Jacob’s response is…difficult. On the one hand, I think his intentions are (by and large) positive. On the other, I get distracted by the “little things.” What little things? Well…

1. He concludes that Bethel (at that time Luz) is itself a special location, offering some particular access to God and heaven. There’s nothing else in the Bible that gives me any reason to value that apparent conclusion, though given what little I know about the religions of his day, it’s not an absurd conclusion. I’m just pretty sure it’s completely wrong.
2. It’s hard to say, but I have the impression that to an extent Jacob’s worship, such as there is, is directed to the place instead of to Yahweh.
3. Jacob makes an if/then vow. These always strike me as both arrogant and dangerous.
4. “This stone…will be God’s house.” Uh, Jacob…no. Sorry.

There’s a feeling that Jacob may think he’s happened into this encounter with Yahweh, rather than that Yahweh sought him out on account of his grandfather’s faith (which is what I conclude has happened; in as much as “sought him out” should not imply any difficultly in doing so on Yahweh’s part). More than that is the indication that Jacob does not particularly understand Yahweh. Perhaps he considers Yahweh as a local diety, although one particularly worshipped in his family. The comment about the stone being God’s house speaks of a belief of having some control over and/or something needed by dieties. This is not a “You are the creator of the universe who has become personally involved in my life. Whoa” reaction. But it’s promising.

As an aside, this is (I think) the second reference to a tithe in the Bible, after Abraham’s gift to Melchizedek. But I don’t have anything particular to say on that point.

Genesis 14:19-20

2007.Mar.11 21:42

Blessing from Salem

Read Genesis 14:19-20 | Full Chapter

King Melchizedek of Salem was a priest of God Most High. He brought out some bread and wine and said to Abram: “I bless you in the name of God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. All praise belongs to God Most High for helping you defeat your enemies.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
(Genesis 14:18-20, CEV)

Melchizedek, in his postbellum meeting with Abram, gives two things, and receives one: 1. He gives Abram bread and wine. 2. He gives Abram a blessing. 3. Abram gives him a tenth “of everything”.

Why Melchizedek brought the refreshments is not explained here, but I think it’s significant that he did meet one of Abram’s needs, that of food; although there’s no indication that Abram was in particular need of food, this is something that, to my knowledge, most cultures do: honor someone by giving them food and drink. So, Melchizedek does a good thing there.

He follows this by blessing Abram, and then praising Yahweh, God of Abram, for the war’s victory. He does something succinctly that seems so hard to do; that is, to honor those who are carrying out some work of God (leading worship, serving some need, teaching, etc.), while giving the principle praise to God, who ultimately deserves it. It bothers me that this seems so hard to do, and I’m not sure why. Both honoring other humans and praising God are very, very important, but I think we humans in general tend to overcompensate one way or the other, either giving all praise to the human party or not honoring or encouraging them at all. To propose that one who ought to honored for their faithfulness in the work of the Lord should be humble and not require any reciprocation is, in my opinion, dishonoring to the work God is doing in them, and perhaps more importantly is just plain hurtful to the person. As a Christian, I have a responsibility to honor and bless others for both good works and their faith evidenced in good works.

And, no, I’m not going to try to define “honor” today.

Abram responds by giving Melchizedek a tenth “of everything”, which I assume refers to the spoils of the war. And Melchizedek receives it. No argument, at least none recorded for posterity. The implication is that this priest/king received as Abram gave. Maybe this was partially payment for troops, maybe it was to assist in Melchizedek’s priesthood, maybe just an exchange of gifts between leaders, I don’t know. But this interaction of giving and receiving is so much how I’d like to act in such situations. I want to receive humbly and gratefully (i.e., without protest) the gifts from God, either directly or through others. I also want to give with joy and without strings attached as God directs me.

"It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35) : It is such a blessing to receive gratefully, and even more to give.