Jacob handled this challenge in a most interesting way. First he addressed himself to Sherem, then to the Lord. To Sherem he said, "What am I that I should tempt God to show unto thee a sign in the thing which thou knowest to be true?" Jacob told Sherem that even if a sign were given, the old apostate would deny it because he was of the devil. However, in such a critical situation, Jacob knew that he must not attempt to dictate to the Lord as to how he should respond to the challenge that had come from Sherem. He therefore told Sherem that if a sign were given it would demonstrate two things: first, it would demonstrate to Sherem that God is indeed the creator both of heaven and of earth, and secondly, that Christ will very shortly come. Jacob then turned to the Lord and said: "And thy will, O Lord, be done, and not mine."