«‘The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us. ‘ And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac» (Genesis 31:53).
Laban did not act toward Jacob with his usual meanness, perhaps because of the dream he had had the night before, or because he was afraid that Isaac might join with his brother Esau to come back to take revenge on him.
Just as with Jacob’s father Isaac, the enemy requested a peace treaty. If you are a faithful and honest worker, and you are treated unfairly, trust that at some point that person who makes your life impossible will seek a reconciliation. Even if you are not of the same faith, they will invoke the God you honor. Prepare to erect a monument of reconciliation.
When the time came to make peace, these two men both mentioned their grandfathers. Nahor was Laban’s grandfather and Abraham was Jacob’s; Nahor and Abraham were brothers. In other words, their ancestors feared the same God. It is so important to leave a model of conflict resolution as a legacy. Although Laban did not practice the faith of his grandfather Nahor, he remembered to invoke the same God as his witness. The faith of grandparents is the best inheritance for future generations.
It was the norm in that culture to have a third person serve as a witness when a pact was made, and to erect a monument as a visible reminder. So they both pledged with God as their witness, that they would keep their promise made in that treaty. They built a stone table where they served the meal that would seal the treaty. They gave names to the monument. Jacob called it Mizpa, which means «Watch Tower,» and Laban called it Jegar, Sahaduta, «Watch Tower Between the Two of Us.» Years later it was known by the name Galaad, «Stone of Testimony.» Two languages, Hebrew and Aramaic; two cultures, Jewish and Mespotamian; two different ways of worshiping, monotheist and polytheist. But thanks to Jacob’s steady faith, Laban had no alternative than to enter into a peace treaty with his son-in-law.
May our cultural and religious differences not be a barrier to the reconciliation with those who have treated us unfairly. Our unshakable faith, our irreproachable integrity, and the life experiences we have lived within the religion we profess will make our faith attractive to others, and will motivate them to correct their errors and reconcile with us.
Dear friend, what inheritance of faith are you leaving for your future generations?
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Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023
“DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid
From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
