Bible Summary:
Rebecca tells Isaac she is sick and tired of Esau’s foreign wives and would just die if Jacob marries one of the Hittite girls. Isaac sends Jacob to Mesopotamia to marry one of Uncle Laban’s daughters and blesses him to receive many children, so he will become the father of many nations.
Esau learns of this new blessing, Jacob’s leaving, and that Isaac does not approve of local women, so he marries one of his Uncle Ishmael’s daughters.
On the way to Uncle Laban’s, Jacob camps overnight and dreams of a stairway to heaven, with angels going up and down. God stands beside him and promises many descendants and the land he is lying on, and blesses all these nations through Jacob. God tells Jacob He will protect him wherever he goes and will bring him back safely to this land.
Jacob wakes and becomes frightened since this must be the house of God with a gate that opens to heaven. The next morning, Jacob dedicates a memorial to God and renames the place Bethel. He vows upon his safe return to worship God there and give Him a tenth of everything he is given.
My Thoughts:
Marry Your Kind: The message is pretty clear that the author thought Hebrews should marry their kind and not foreigners, especially since biblical patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob married other Hebrews. My opinion is that we are all of the humankind and no one is a foreigner. Differences between us are only manmade.
Jacob’s Ladder: Led Zepplin aside, this stairway to heaven is also known as Jacob’s Ladder in other Bibles. I believe this story is the beginning of formal religion with a vow by Jacob to worship God at Bethel. I don’t understand why Jacob would be frightened though. He just saw God who vowed to take care of him. Seems to be the religious establishment putting fear into people that they need to worship God and tithe.
Tithing: There is a lot of debate about tithing, especially since a few have taken advantage of it and are now living in multi-million dollar homes from donations of their members. I believe tithing is healthy, but in your own way. Give some to your church, temple, or mosque, some to charities, and to others you know really need help. I’m not sure 10% is the magic number, so give what you feel is appropriate. If you are short on money, give your time and expertise by volunteering, even if only a couple times a year.
The key to tithing is in the giving. It is about thinking of others, thinking of the greater good, and making a difference on a regular basis. This is what I believe is pleasing to God.