He Doesn't Make "Deals"

Then Jacob made a vow: "If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, if He provides me with food to eat and clothing to wear, and if I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD will be my God." - Genesis 28:20-21

Have you ever made a deal with God? If so, it might have gone something like this, "God, I promise to do (something) if You will do (the thing you desired Him to do)." Jacob tried to make such a deal with God, and by all appearances it seems that God was not offended by the request. Why not?

First of all, it appears that at this point in his life, Jacob did not trust God. He certainly understood and accepted His existence, but Jacob was an unbeliever. He was asking God to prove Himself and God was not offended by Jacob's request, because his request originated in a heart that God was drawing for His purpose. Jacob's "deal" was simply a response to God's gracious work in His life.

Second, God is never bound by our "deals" or the deals that others try to make. He is only bound by His character and attributes. In other words, God doesn't make "deals."

So ... go ahead and try to make a deal with God. He has already proven Himself on the Cross, but He is not offended just because you ask. It is even possible that He may answer your request, but if He does, then you best be ready to live with His response!

Absence of proof is not proof of absence. - William Cowper