Sunday, October 8, 2017

day no. 14,230: the fear of his father Isaac

Genesis 31:53
So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac

While Laban swears by gods plural, Jacob swears by God singular and adds the emphatic, "the Fear of his father Isaac." Make no mistake about it, Jacob's intention is to place the fear of God into Laban. His contention is not only that there is only one, true God; but additionally, that this God is to be feared. He cannot be lost like one of Laban's household gods. As for them, what are they? They can be taken, manipulated, broken, rusted, misplaced, or lost altogether. Laban is travelling mile after mile trying to find a god who needs his help. Jacob is travelling mile after mile knowing it is God who helps him.

1 comment:

  1. So insightful! I loved the wordplay at the end - a lost god who needs Laban's help to be found; a true God who finds Jacob, helps him, and never loses or abandons him.

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