Genesis 31:43-55 – Two Men Who Don’t Trust Each Other

After Jacob’s outburst against Laban, Laban is left with nothing really to say. He can’t justify himself or blame Jacob. He probably feels guilty for what he has done, but other than claiming one last time that all Jacob has is rightfully Laban’s, making himself the victim once again, he just doesn’t want to talk about things anymore.

Laban proposes a covenant to Jacob to which, for the sake of peace between the families, Jacob agrees. Jacob is required to be a good husband and marry no one else. Jacob is to forgive and forget any wrongs he may have received and not take revenge against either Laban or his family. Laban is just required to leave Jacob alone from now on. They raise a heap of stones as a memorial to remind themselves of the covenant they have made, and they offer sacrifices to God. We can only truly be at peace with our friends when we are first at peace with God. They eat together to show that they are at peace. Finally, they call on God to be their witness and judge. Back of all their nice words and actions, these are two men who don’t trust each other – and with good reason. So, they both know that only the fear of God will keep them each honest to their part of the covenant. So, they call on God to keep an eye on both of them to make sure that they don’t cheat the other. They also ask God to judge between them and punish whoever does wrong. This is a covenant between two men who’ve finally decided to leave each other alone. But it is also a covenant between two men who understand how sinful they are and are calling on God to save them from themselves.