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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 248

"Whoever is wise will observe these things, And they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord." Psalm 107:43

Text: Genesis 31:1-55

CONCLUDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COVENANT

Laban just had to feel that he had not lost control. He had to have the last word in as well. How empty life would be for him after his daughters and grandchildren depart!

“Then Laban said to Jacob, ‘Here is this heap
and here is this pillar, which I have placed between
you and me. 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.
The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God
of their father judge between us.'”
GENESIS 31:51-53

1. The fear of being harmed

What was it that drove Laban to speak as he did? He went on and on, in close detail, to describe the covenant treaty that was to be established. The key word would probably be “harm”. Ultimately, he was afraid that Jacob might just harm him one day!

2. Some confusion in Laban’s mind

The Lord was certainly the God of Abraham. He could well have been the God of Nahor, Abraham’s brother. We are not able to ascertain that the Lord was also the God of Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor (Cf. Genesis 11:27-32). The insertion, that the Lord was also the God of Terah, was Laban’s subjective perception.


JACOB’S ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROPOSED COVENANT

Jacob had no problem with accepting the covenant that Laban proposed! He certainly wasn’t going to harm his wives and children. Would he ever harm Laban? The idea was preposterous!

“And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.
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.
And early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons
and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed
and returned to his place.”
GENESIS 31:53b-55

Jacob, in choosing this Name of God to swear by, reflected his deep and growing reverence for the Lord! The furor concerning the stolen idols had settled down. How the Lord must have preserved him from Laban’s anger! To swear by the Fear of his father Isaac seemed particularly significant.

The established covenant between Laban and Jacob concluded with feasting. The trouble anticipated had not appeared at all! There was every reason to be happy in the Lord! Laban departed for home after the feast with his family on the mountain!