Jacob and Laban make a covenant, and set up a monument of stones, known as "Mizah"--"Watchpost." They don't trust each other, really. So they agree to stay out of each other's territory. 31:49 is often quoted far out of this context: "The LORD watch between you and me, when we are absent form one another." My grandfather gave my grandmother a framed lithograph with a poem that quotes this verse. "Go thou thy way, and I'll go mine, apart yet not afar. Only a thin veil separates the pathways where we are..." I think the occasion was his travels. The picture has a very Victorian looking violinist. I think I will find it and hang it up when I go through the pictures from my parents' things. My grandparents loved each other dearly and did not (I don't think) harbor suspicions of each other. It was a much gentler wish: "May God take care of us both while we must be apart; and may he bring us back together again soon and safely." That is a wonderful prayer, but not exactly what Jacob and Laban meant when they first made their covenant.
Genesis 32: Of course, going home means Jacob must face Esau, who may still harbor murderous feelings for Jacob. He can't make a phone call back to find out. So he sets things up in a way that is most likely to make the meeting safe and successful. He shows off his wealth and the considerable power and size of his household; and he speaks humbly to his brother.
And the night before, he has the life-transforming encounter where he wrestles all night with the Man?/Angel?/God? and is left limping, crippled in his hip.
Genesis 33: When Jacob (new name: Israel!!!) sees his brother he says something utterly remarkable: "If I find favor with you, then accept my present from my hand; for truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God--since you have received me with such favor" (33:10). Oh, for the grace to see the face of God in the face of our enemies/opponents/people who scare us!
Psalm 11: When I was in middle school and attending two years of confirmation classes, we had to turn in sermon notes to the pastor. It taught me to learn to listen to sermons and pay attention. Once the pastor preached on Psalm 11:3: "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" I have no memory now what the pastor (who later performed my marriage to Wayne, and became a mentor to me) preached about, but I still remember this verse. I think, reading this psalm, that the psalmist's answer is in verse 4:
"The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD's throne is in heaven.
His eyes behold,
his gaze examines humankind"
and in the final verse:
For the LORD is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.
There is that recurring theme again, of beholding the face of the LORD--promised outcome of a life that is fueled and guided by a deep longing to see, commune with, know, obey, and, above all, love and be loved by God.
Matthew 11 John the Baptizer sends to find out if Jesus is for real, or if he should still look for another... The chapter ends with the wonderful words:
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
This is amazing on a couple of levels.
- First, of course, it is marvelous to have Jesus promise to lift our burdens, and we all have them. We all long for rest for our souls. We just don't always see what other people's burdens are.
- Second, and I think I don't always notice this one--Jesus really sounds like God here! "Come to ME!'
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