Mizpah

by H. King | Category: General | Jan 1989

Jacob and Laban were parting company to go their separate ways. A heap of stones was built and a pillar set up, and Laban called the place Mizpah saying, "The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another" (Gen. 31:49).

The word mizpah means "a watchtower", and comes from the word zaphan, "to watch as a witness". One remarkable statement in the Scriptures with this word in it is in Proverbs 15:3. "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good". The Lord sees all the evil that is done in every corner of the world, and men will be called to account one day before the Great Witness, who will bring all their works to remembrance.

Similarly, good deeds will not go unrewarded, for the day of reckoning will bring to light countless things that were done in His Name, receiving no recognition or praise down here.

If Jacob spoke against Laban when his back was turned the Lord was witness to it. Or, if Laban spoke against Jacob, the same applied, for the things that we may say in the inner chambers will be proclaimed upon the housetops (see Luke 12:1-3).

H. King | Jan 1989
General