No coat-tail riding

Genesis 28:10-12 (NIV)  Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran.  When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.  

Can you imagine using a stone or a rock for a pillow?  I have this thing about pillows; it has to be very flat and extremely soft - doesn't sound like any rock I have held.  And why a rock or stone?  Is there significance? It seems this was a common practice and points to the nature of the stony terrain.

Genesis 28:20-22 (NIV)  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 house, 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." 

The commentary I use has the word 'since' in place of 'if' which gives this a more faithful tone. You will note the stone has a special role, as it will be used to commemorate all that God is doing and has done in this place. Jacob's faith is solidifying, as he is recognizing God's faithfulness and provision and memorializing all that God had done.

Just as Jacob had to establish his own personal relationship with God and couldn't simply be grandfathered in to Heaven (Abraham was his grandfather) so do we.  Just because our parents or grandparents had a strong and active faith doesn't provide salvation for us. It is not enough to hear wonderful stories about Christians in our family.  We need to become part of the story.

Genesis 28:10-22