Jacob Bothers Me.

This is my Life Journal posting for today:

Genesis 28:18-20  Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's household, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth."

Don't even get me started with Rebekah - Jacob's mom - but as I read the story of Jacob's blessing this morning, he really bothered me. I've read this story many times before, but I can't remember being so struck by the apparent selfishness in Jacob as I was today. His name indicates that he is one who takes advantage, which he certainly did of Esau as he lied and deceived to steal his blessing. But the vow he made to God seems more like a deal for his own benefit than a commitment to the God who is worthy of our lives: "If God will...and give me...so that I...then I will give him a tenth." Still, God honored the blessing. Amazing.

God operates on purpose bigger than our shortcomings. The blessing he promised was to Abraham - Jacob's grandpa. God would fulfill his promise, even though Jacob, because of his actions and attitude, may not have deserved it. Ah, how familiar this is! Do any of us deserve God's blessing? We get so selfish and our commitments to God are lackluster, yet God in His grace and in the purpose of His love, through Jesus, still offers us blessing. Jacob bothers me because all too often, I am Jacob.

Lord, thank you for your promises, your grace and your love. Forgive me when I treat these blessings as a right rather than a privilege. You have blessed me though I haven't deserved such a blessing. I pray that my life will reflect an unselfish love for you in all I do, say and think today. In Jesus name. Amen.