Daily Devotions
Genesis
"I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; Yes, I will praise Him among the multitude" Psalm 109:30
Text: Genesis 31:1-55
STUBBORN REFUSAL TO ADMIT WRONG
Laban may not have found the idols in the tents of Jacob, but his anger and suspicions had not abated much. He may have had a visit from God warning him not to attempt to cause hurt to Jacob, and that must have helped some. However, deep down he was as stubborn as ever. In reply to Jacob’s angry outburst, Laban argued that everything Jacob had was his!
“And Laban answered and said to Jacob,
‘These daughters are my daughters, and these children
are my children, and this flock is my flock;
all that you see is mine.'”
GENESIS 31:43a
The brazenness of Laban is astonishing! He was not entirely wrong in his statement. Leah and Rachel were his daughters! He had a right to call his grandchildren, his children. Technically, the flock that Jacob possessed came from Laban’s stocks! But he was not entirely correct in his statement! Jacob’s portion was totally ignored! He was the husband of his daughters. He was the father of the children! He was the one who made his flocks grow!
A LAST EFFORT TO SAVE FACE
Laban tried very hard to save face! He made a suggestion that a parity covenant be established between them. If he had thought through the idea more carefully, he would have seen that he had accomplished nothing, even if he established a covenant with Jacob! Why would there be a need to establish a covenant between a father and his son-in-law?
“But what can I do this day to these my daughters
or to their children whom they have borne?”
GENESIS 31:43b
Laban wanted to appear as the hero in the final analysis. If Jacob had to leave with all his wealth, it would be because he, Laban was making provision for his daughters and his grandchildren. Again, Jacob’s part was not given any consideration at all.
A PARITY COVENANT
With reference to Jacob, a parity covenant was proposed strongly.
“Now therefore, come, let us make a covenant,
you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me.”
GENESIS 31:44
Laban wanted a formal establishment of a parity covenant as a “witness” between them. His regard for Jacob had changed drastically. Where once he regarded him as family, now a formal covenant had to be worked out and established!a