So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first. Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God, and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.”
Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the east. As he looked, he saw a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep lying beside it, for out of that well the flocks were watered. The stone on the well’s mouth was large, and when all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place over the mouth of the well.
Comment: True worship of the true God will alter its outward demonstration with time and culture. I would not choose to worship God in the way that Jacob did but for him it was sincere and accepted by God. He took his pillow (a stone), set it on its end as a pillar, poured oil over it (an expensive offering) and vowed his life to God. He offered a deal to God, and while I’m not sure if that is the right thing to do, he said ‘watch over me and I’ll give you a tenth of everything’. He changed the area local name of the place from Luz to Bethel (the house of God).
Then he travelled on towards a place to which he had never been, but where he was supposed to find a wife. Probably he had heard the story of Abraham’s servant finding a wife for his father and coming to a well at flock watering time he began questions, which, no doubt, he hoped would lead him to Laban’s place and a wife. (or two….wait and see.)
Prayer: You don’t live at a place or area but are God of the Universe. Please help me to see You where I am.
As I read it! 