Jacob's response to the dream

When he awoke from the dream he said “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.”  He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel;Then Jacob made a vow, saying, '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'”  (Genesis 28:16-22).

“Surely” - God's appearance, be it in a dream or otherwise,  is immediately recognizable by those to whom He shows Himself.  We just know that we know. “Those with an experience are not at the mercy of  those with a theology” (Bill Johnson). However, since we suppress the truth in unrighteousness and lawless deeds (Romans 1:18), we can later doubt that it was Him. Jacob is afraid and,  like many of us when we are in deep trouble,  makes a vow to God. The vow,  essentially asking God to provide food, clothings, guidance and reconciliation,  says much about the state of his more general anxiety.  The conditional nature of the vow (if ... then), shows Jacob is not yet ready to fully commit his life to God.

Nevertheless this is a significant stepping sone on his journey there.   Jacob, setting up the stone as a pillar,  does so as a memorial, something tangible to remember both the encounter,  and the vow.  His anointing the pillar with oil is an act of consecration, him pledging to fulfill His part,  if God fulfills His.  Scripture warns that “it is better not to vow than to vow and not pay ... for He has no pleasure in fools” (Ecclesiastes 4:8,5).  It's not that He won't forgive (John 1:9), but we need to realize to whom we are making our vow.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10).  And we need to remember that our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29).

Wether it's to do with a vow or not, it's important to mark our encounters and commitments,  with something tangible, something concrete to help us to remember.  A friend of mine,  coming to a new level of commitment at a time of crisis over the potential death of a dearly loved pet, bought a representative figurine of it, and placed it in a prominent place as a daily reminder. I tend to record things in my journal, and/or in a file of promises and prophecies that I keep.  I  go back to them over and over in times when I am needing encouragement.

Father, thank You for Your compassion, grace, longsuffering and abundant mercy (Psalm 86:15). You wait to be gracious to us , desiring to have mercy rather than justice (Isaiah 30:18). Help us to respond to Your incredible initiating love, loving You with all our heart, mind,  soul and strength in Jesus Name Amen