BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT YOU ASK GOD TO DO

PROCLAMATION

“And Laban said, ‘This heap is a witness between me and thee this day.  Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;  And Mizpah; for he said, ‘The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.’ ”  Genesis 31:48-49 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Jacob worked for his father-in law Laban for twenty years.  When Jacob wanted to leave in order to provide for his own family, Laban did not want him to go because he had been blessed by him being there. (Genesis 30:25-28)  Jacob had caused Laban’s wealth to increase but he had gained nothing of his own or for his family.  They agreed to divide the herds of sheep, goats, and cattle between them, with the spotted and streaked animals going to Jacob and the solid color ones remained with Laban. (Genesis 30:32-35)  However God caused Jacob’s animals to be healthier and more productive than Laban’s animals. (Genesis 30:37-43)  Jacob heard Laban’s sons talking against him, and he noticed a difference in Laban’s behavior towards. (Genesis 31:1-2)  Then The Lord God told Jacob to return to the land of his father. (Genesis 31:3)  Jacob left with all of his possessions while Laban was away shearing his sheep.  When Laban found out that Jacob was gone, he pursued him and caught up with him in the hills of Gilead. (Genesis 31:19-25)  After a lengthy discussion, they ended with the agreement not to harm one another.  They set up a pillar of stones and basically drew a line in the sand which they both agreed not to cross. (Genesis 31:26-53)

 

APPLICATION

This text has often been used as a benediction at the end of worship services.  However, this is not a blessing, this was more of a curse between two men who did not trust one another.  They wanted The Lord God to punish the other if they broke their agreement.  These words are more appropriately spoken to someone that you don’t trust when they will be out of your sight.  This is a request for God to punish someone who breaks a promise.  However, we should not ask The Lord God to punish someone for doing wrong.  We are to forgive people of their trespasses and wrong doings as we are forgiven for ours by our Heavenly Father.  If we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven. (Matthew 6:14-15)  We should remember that Jesus, The Christ, told Peter that we ought to forgive our brother who sins against us not seven times but “seventy times seven” times. (Matthew 18:21-22)  We should be careful about what we ask God to do.