Goodwill Departure

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.

 

============

 

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?