Laban Speaks

Saturday, February 11, 2012

SPIRITUAL DAIRY

My Worship Time                  Focus:  Laban Speaks

Bible Reading & Meditation             Reference:  Genesis 31:47-52

            Message of the verses:  “47  Laban named it in Aramaic, Yegar-sahadutha (Witness Monument); Jacob echoed the naming in Hebrew, Galeed (Witness Monument).

48  Laban said, "This monument of stones will be a witness, beginning now, between you and me." (That’s why it is called Galeed—Witness Monument.)  49  It is also called Mizpah (Watchtower) because Laban said, "GOD keep watch between you and me when we are out of each other’s sight.  50  If you mistreat my daughters or take other wives when there’s no one around to see you, God will see you and stand witness between us."

51  Laban continued to Jacob, "This monument of stones and this stone pillar that I have set up is a witness, 52  a witness that I won’t cross this line to hurt you and you won’t cross this line to hurt me.”

            Both Jacob and Laban give names, which mean the same, to this monument and its meaning is “Witness Monument” and later on Laban also calls it “Watchtower.”  Laban gives it this name because he wants the God of Jacob to watch over Jacob and himself to see if either one would break this covenant that they have made with each other. 

            I am not exactly sure why it is that Laban is actually acting like he has a bit of sense, but he does want Jacob to take care of his daughters and not to marry any other women, so I guess that there may have been a spark of good in Laban after all.  I don’t think that this is why Laban had set out to get to Jacob and his family, but God protected Jacob in order to protect the covenant that God had made with Abraham, a covenant that was confirmed when the Lord alone walked through the burning sacrifices and so this covenant was an unconditional covenant that God made with Abraham and so He could not let it be broken.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I actually think that Proverbs 3:5-6 come into play in this section of Scripture for me as I looked at it, and the reason that I say that is that it is best to seek the Lord’s direction before doing most anything as it says in the Proverb, and I am not sure that this was done before this agreement was made between Laban and Jacob.

The Word of God has been a challenge and also it has been convicting to me as I read and studied it this morning.2/11/2012 8:52 PM.

My Steps of Faith Today:  Continue to trust the Lord as I go through some this storm, that He will work things out to His glory and for our good.