Goodwill Departure
Genesis 31: 51 Then Laban said to
Jacob, “Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I
have placed between you and me. 52 This heap is a
witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I
will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap
and this pillar to me, for harm. 53 The God of
Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us.”
And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac. 54 Then
Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his brethren to eat
bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain. 55 And
early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and daughters
and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place.
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Laban finalized the covenant by setting boundaries. If
either party wanted to do harm to the other, the heap of stones was placed
there to remember not to cross into the territory with ill will.
My Observations:
- Laban
took an oath that he would no longer pursue Jacob and his family to harm
them.
- Laban
worshipped ancestors, so he mentioned GOD in the context of Nahor and
Abraham and Terah.
- Jacob
mentioned his father Isaac as he swore to not harm Laban.
GOD intervened and the two adversaries departed with
goodwill. Jacob would leave with all of Laban’s wealth without having to look
over his shoulder, wondering when Laban was going to strike a deadly blow to
him.
For twenty years, Laban had benefitted from Jacob’s labor. He
changed Jacob’s wages ten times, probably to benefit himself. GOD was changing
Jacob during the twenty years. Jacob began giving up his deceitful ways, to
serve the GOD of his father. Laban and Jacob departed on good terms.
Challenge
- Why
do you think GOD told Moses about the covenant between Laban and Jacob?
- Have
you ever been angry to the point where you could harm someone?
- If
you are angry, are you willing to give it over to GOD so HE can give you
peace?
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