Therefore he named it Galeed, and Mizpah, for he said, “The Lord watch between you and me, when we are out of one another’s sight. (Genesis 31:48, 49 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Let God Defend
Jacob and Laban did not trust each other. Both had variously betrayed and taken advantage of the other. And as Jacob left town, both did not look forward to looking over their shoulder in defense against the other for the rest of their lives.
So they set up a monument, and gave up their fear of reprisal and revenge to God.
They ask God to protect each other from each other.
What a great way to get rid of grudges, bad expectations, and mistrust. Let God handle it.
Jesus came to bring justice. True justice. Not by being our bodyguard or revenger… but by taking the burden of our guilt on Himself.
At Mizpah, we do not see two friends parting, giving each other a piece of a broken heart on a necklace to remember each other. (Remember those inaccurate depictions of this story?) But instead, we see two men giving up their hatred and fear of each other… and asking God to somehow fix the broken relationship.
And God accomplished that by killing His Son, Jesus. Jesus died for Jacob and Laban’s infidelity. Jesus died for Jacob and Laban’s betrayals. Jesus died for Jacob and Laban’s lies. Jesus died for Jacob and Laban’s sins.
And thus Jesus took away the reasons for Jacob and Laban to fear each other. Because they let Jesus handle it. Which He did.
What Mizpahs do you need? What mistrust and fear could you get rid of NOT by expecting and demanding the other person to change, but instead by asking Jesus to handle their betrayal, infidelity, lies, hatred, and sin exactly as He handled yours… on the cross.
Fear not, then let God defend.