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1/30 Reading Portions: Genesis 31; Mark 2; Esther 7; Romans 2
Genesis 31:48-49
Therefore he named it Galeed, and Mizpah, for he said,
“The LORD watch between you and me, when we are out of one another’s sight.”
MIZPEH
An old friend of ours from the Philippines used to close her correspondence with “Mizpah.” Many, like her, viewed these words as a sweet and thoughtful sentiment. Laban, however, had another perspective. He was told by God not to say anything either good or bad to Jacob, for Laban was a man of greed and deceit. In his heart, Laban’s implication toward Jacob was this: “You’re a thief and a rascal. I can’t always watch you, so the LORD watch between you and me, when we are out of one another’s sight.” Galeed means “heap of witness,” and Mizpah means “watch post.” Laban’s statement, however, speaks volumes, not only for Jacob, but most especially for the child of God in Christ. We’ll only consider one important aspect today. While the unbelieving world will always trump up false charges against the Christian, we must recognize the corruptions still existing in our mortal flesh can arise at any time. We need a witness to watch over us as we sojourn upon the earth until the Lord’s return. The Son prayed for the Father to send the Holy Spirit. The Spirit’s witness humbles us when our flesh arises; and the illumination of God’s grace, manifested in…
…the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, …[which] is meant to lead you [and me] to repentance. Romans 2:4
Christ Jesus, our heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit are out of the sight of our physical eyes. Yet His watchful witness in our lives keeps us on a path with the Lord Jesus Christ as our glorious goal and very life. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Mizpah is what Laban call’d it,
A witness ‘tween the two;
We thank God He sent the Spirit,
The Helper who guides me and you.