Daily Devotions

My Song In The Night (Genesis)
我夜间的歌曲《创世记》

My Song In The Night (Genesis)
我夜间的歌曲《创世记》
 
Day 
Day 248

Text: Genesis 31: 43-44

MEDITATION

Genesis 31:43-44

43 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. But what can I do this day to these my daughters or to their children whom they have borne?
44 Now therefore, come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me.”

MEANINGFUL APPLICATION TO LIFE

1. Laban’s claim

a. Leah and Rachel were indeed his daughters.
b. The children were also his “children” (grandchildren).
c. All the flocks of Jacob were originally Laban’s.
d. Everything that Jacob owned were claimed by Laban.

2. Laban’s dilemma

a. He had been warned by God Himself:
i. Not to make empty promises.
ii. Not to threaten Jacob.
b. He would not have the option of battling it out with Jacob.
i. He might not win.
ii. He might also be killed if there was a battle.

3. Laban’s solution

a. He proposed a “covenant”.
b. This would be like a treaty or an agreement reached between the two parties.
c. This covenant would be a witness between Laban and Jacob.
d. This was commonly done in those days.

It was called a “parity covenant.” It was a treaty between two parties who were considered “equals”.

经文:创世记 31:43-44

沉思

《创世记 31:43-44》
43拉班回答雅各说:“这女儿是我的女儿,这些孩子是我的孩子,这些羊群也是我的羊群,凡在你眼前的都是我的。我的女儿并她们所生的孩子,我今日能向他们做什么呢?

44来吧,你我二人可以立约,做你我中间的证据。

在生活里有意义地应用

1.拉班的索求

a.利亚和拉结确实是他的女儿
b.孩子们也是他的“孩子”(外孙们)
c.雅各所有的羊群也是来自拉班的
d.拉班索求雅各所拥有的全部东西

2.拉班的尴尬处境

a.上帝已经亲自警告过他:
i.不要做空虚的承诺
ii.不要威胁雅各
b.他没有跟雅各斗爭的选择余地
i.他可能不会䇔
ii.如果战斗暴发,他也有可能会被杀死

3.拉班的解决方法

a.他提议“立约”
b.这就好像双方达成一个条约或是协议
c.这个立约将会是拉班和雅各之间的证据
d.这在当时是很普遍的事

这被称为“平等条约”。这是双方都认为是“同等”的条约。