by In Genesis 28:20-22, Jacob vowed a vow unto God under duress, saying in these verses “If God will … I will.” However, soon as Jacob got out from under his troubles, he forgot his vows — but God never forgot. It would be 30 years before Jacob fulfilled his vows in Genesis 35.
In Genesis 28, Jacob was fleeing Esau after stealing his blessings. He left Beer-sheba and stops at Bethel where he dreamed the vision called, “Jacob’s Ladder” (28:10-15). He saw the angels of God ascending and descending on a ladder between heaven and earth. God’s promise to Jacob was to be with him and safely guide him home. Jacob wakes and vows to make the Lord his God, if God keeps His promises (28:16-22). He vowed to sanctify Bethel as God’s house and give a tenth of all God will gave him. Jacob goes on to Haran and stays for 20 years
God was with Jacob all this time, as He promised. Jacob prospered with great wealth (Genesis 29-30). God protected him from Laban (Genesis 31) and Esau (Genesis 32-33). God was guiding Jacob safely home, but he then stopped in Canaan for 10 years, settling near Shechem (33:18). He didn’t return to Bethel, to God’s house where he owed his tenth vow. Genesis 35:1 shows Jacob had forgotten his vows, and for this reason God commands him to return to Bethel.
Like Jacob, things in this life draw our attention away from our vows — family, wealth, career, etc. Like Jacob, forgetfulness settles in soon with vows in times of trouble. Regardless, vows made in times of trouble or even during deception are just as binding with God as those vows made upon careful reflection (Ecclesiastes 5:2-5).
God gave space for Jacob to repent — we have the same. Here is the thought I want you to ponder. Your vow and heart’s desire when you were saved was to turn from sin and follow Christ with all our heart. Are we faithfully keeping this vow? Don’t delay 30 years like Jacob. Return to the vow that your eternal living soul made with God at salvation. You can experience the promises God has prepared for you in this life. Paul spells this out in 1 Corinthians 2:9-3:2, where the answer is found when you get out of the milk and into the meat of God’s Word.
