"And Jacob rose early in the morning and took the stone he had put under his head, and he set it up for a pillar (a monument to the vision in his dream), and he poured oil on its top [in dedication]. And he named that place Bethel [the house of God]; but the name- of- that- city- was Luz at first. Then Jacob made a vow, saying, If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go and will give me food to eat and clothing to wear, So that I may come again to my father's house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God; And this stone which I have set up as a pillar (monument) shall be God's house [a sacred place to me], and of all [the increase of possessions] that You give me I will give the tenth to You. - The Greatest Love Story Ever Told
To Jacob, a God of provision was a God of decision.
- A God of reconciliation was a God of salvation.
- A God of favor was a God of co-labor.
This was an historic day when Jacob partnered with His Creator, because all he had "created" was in a mess.
Jacob was fleeing from a death threat against his life. He was in search of a wife, yet homeless, penniless, estranged from family and so low he could look up and see the bottom.
So God appeared to him and said: "I will bring you back to this place where you first dreamed; I will not leave you until I have done all that I have promised." Jacob's response was, "If you can bring me back from this and fulfill my dreams and needs; whatever you give me, I will give you a tenth of all."
In most partnerships, the parties usually negotiate a 60-40 or 50-50 split. God was only asking for ten.
It's exciting to know that when your life is shattered, God can use a tenth of what is left (a mustard seed) and give you a dream that will transform your life and destiny.
So far, we have given you three things to kill the conspiracy against you:
- PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST
- KILL OLD PERSPECTIVES
- POWER UP WITH PARTNERS
After Jacob's dream, he did three things which will conclude this series:
- He set up a monument to the vision in his dream (verse 18.)
He put up a physical structure to remind himself of the dream he had, because circumstances will try to silence God's best with your worst (or past.) When did you first dream? Where were you at? What did you write down? Was it clear? What did you plan to change to get there? Why aren't you there by now? What's stopping you (those old mindsets, old perspectives, old faith?)
Faith, hopes, plans and dreams must constantly be renewed. You cannot make a plan or blueprint with wrong data; from the wrong point of reference. Your past is the wrong point of reference. You need a vision of your future; a vision to prophetically see not how things are, but how God purposed them to be.
- He changed the name of the city he was in (verse 19.)
You can change the name of the place you are at, no matter what it is called right now. It seemed like Jacob was leaving his inheritance or best life behind. But God said, "I will bring you back to your father's house IN PEACE; to the place your dreams were conceived AND I first gave you the promise." So he changed the name of the city from Luz to Bethel. Now this is significant because in Gen. 35:2-6, when God tells him to return to the place he changed the name of the city, God changed his name.
RIGHT NOW, whatever people have known you as, is about to change.
God wants to give you beauty for ashes if you will bury them. For, the old must die for something new to live. Jacob responded to this name change by telling his family and employees:
"Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your clothes. We must get up and revisit the place where God used to speak to me (my vision in Bethel.) I will build an altar there to the God who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me everywhere I have gone."
The response?: "Then they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and their earrings, and Jacob hid them under the oak near Shechem. When they set out, a terror from God came over the cities around them, and they did not pursue Jacob's sons."
When you get rid of old perspectives, old traditions, mindsets, habits, idols, superstitions, fears, etc., God will cause nations to tremble at all the security, prosperity, stability he provides you.
And you will destroy the conspiracy that people thought would kill you.
In Gen. 35:9-12, after Jacob changed the name of his destiny, God changed his name and renewed his dream with a new promise.
- Jacob promised to give God a tenth from all his dream was worth (verse 20.)
Does God own a tenth of the dream He put in your heart? Do you give Him a tenth (tithe) of your money, time, day, tasks and goals to see that dream to reality? Jacob vowed to give God a tithe from all (any of) the increase of his possessions. Not just his personal paycheck, BUT FROM ALL OF his business, livestock, grain, oil, wine. So it makes sense that Joseph, his son, when sold into slavery was a type of Christ; a firstfruit or tithe of Israel in Egypt. A SYMBOL of the tithe that would make Egypt bow to the plan he implemented seven years earlier.
Today, weapons formed against you fall. THEY WILL NOT PROSPER.
Be a conspiracy killer.
Pursue. Overtake and Recover ALL.
