(Genesis) Genesis 31:42-49
Jacob confronts Laban about his treatment and makes a contract to quit stealing from each other, with the Lord watching between them.
In this sermon, the preacher discusses the contract made between Jacob and Laban. Laban claims ownership of everything, including Jacob's wives and children. Jacob, however, asserts that God has seen his affliction and rebukes Laban. Laban suggests making a covenant, and they set up a stone as a witness. The preacher emphasizes that this contract is not a benediction but rather a resolution between two deceitful individuals to stop stealing from each other.
Full Transcript
Now, he leaves Laban, they bid each other goodbye, and they're going to make a contract. Let me read now verse 42. "'Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac had been with me, surely thou had sent me away now empty.
God hath seen mine affliction, and the labor of my hands, and rebuked thee yesterday night.' Now Jacob has his day in court, and he lets Laban have it now. "'And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, these children are my children, these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine. And what can I do this day unto these? My daughters are unto their children which have been born.
Now therefore, come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou. Let it be for a witness between me and thee.' And Jacob took a stone and set it up for a pillar. And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones, and they took stones.
And now they make a contract.'" Verse 48, "'And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galed and Mizpah. For he said, The Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent one from another.' And this has been used by young people's groups as a benediction and other groups.
And I don't think it ought to be used that way because this is actually a contract between two rascals that they're going to quit stealing from each other and work on somebody else. The Lord watch between me and thee. In other words, may the Lord keep His eye on you so you won't steal from me anymore.
That's exactly what these men are saying. Now they're going to separate, and they do separate, and we're going to see the great experience and the life of Jacob next time in chapter 32.
Sermon Outline
- I. Jacob's Day in Court
- A. Jacob confronts Laban about his treatment
- B. Jacob makes a contract with Laban
- C. Jacob sets up a witness between them
- II. The Contract Between Jacob and Laban
- A. The terms of the contract
- B. The witness between them
- III. The Significance of the Contract
- A. The Lord watches between them
- B. The contract is a reminder to work honestly
Key Quotes
“'Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac had been with me, surely thou had sent me away now empty.'” — J. Vernon McGee
“'The Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent one from another.'” — J. Vernon McGee
“'May the Lord keep His eye on you so you won't steal from me anymore.'” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- We should strive to work honestly and not steal from others.
- The Lord is watching over us and holds us accountable for our actions.
- We should make contracts and agreements with integrity and honesty.