Honey From The Rock

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Honey From The Rock
Psalm 81:16

"Sweet Stuff From God's Word"

A daily Bible study with Victor Knowles
Copyright 2007

THE TITHE VOW

This entry was posted on 03-11-2010 and is filed under STUDIES IN GENESIS.

Have you ever made a vow (a solemn promise)? If you are married, you did. Vows should be taken seriously. The vow we will study today was made by Jacob when he traveled as far as Bethel. It was there that he dreamed of a ladder that reached to heaven. Angels were ascending and descending. Above the ladder was God. Once again, God assured Jacob of the covenant that He had made with Abraham and Isaac. When Jacob woke up, he set up a pillar and poured oil on it. Then he made this famous vow. "If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God's house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You" (Gen. 28:20-22 NKJV).

Where in the world did Jacob learn about tithing? Probably from his grandfather Abraham. Remember when Abraham rescued his nephew Lot? After his return, Abram (as he was known then) was met by Melchizedek, king of Salem (later, Jerusalem) and priest of God Most High (Gen. 14:18). In return for the blessing of Melchizedek, Abram gave him a tithe of all he possessed (v. 20). I don't know if Isaac practiced tithing or not but I would imagine he did. Now Jacob is vowing to do the same. Let me ask you some questions that are based on this text. Has God been with you (presence)? Has He kept you in the way you are going (protection)? Has He give you bread to eat and clothes to wear (provision)? Then why not make a similar vow (unless you already have)? "Of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to you." You might even want to find a nice stone and place it somewhere to remind you of this solemn promise. Remember that Christ is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 7:17). We are the seed of Abraham by faith in Jesus Christ. What Jacob vowed to do, we may vow as well. I have never known a tither who regretted it, but I have met many people who wished they had started tithing earlier in life.

Prayer: Holy Father, everything we have comes from Your hand. We thank You for your presence, protection and provision. Grant us the courage to make the vow of Jacob in Jesus' name.