Genesis chapter 31 verse 48-50 (NIV)
Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me today.” That is why it was called Galeed. It was also called Mizpah, because he said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. If you ill-treat my daughters or if you take any wives besides my daughters, even though no one is with us, remember that God is a witness between you and me.”
I have seen ‘Mizpah’ necklaces being regarded as romantic because they are basically 2 halves of a design with Laban’s quote, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.” The 2 halves are worn by people who are away from each other at times, or maybe for a season, perhaps a husband and wife, or mother and child. But if we read the whole passage, we see that after twenty years, there was a breakdown in the relationship between Jacob and his father in law. The Mizpah covenant came into being because they distrusted one another.
What made me think think however, was the fact that as Laban pointed out, God sees how we behave, even when no one else is there. We can even put a face on things, but God knows our hearts. We can also look at this thought in a positive way. If we are struggling and we think that we have no support because no one sees our struggles, we can take comfort in the fact that God sees, and we are not alone.
Dear Lord,
It is a good thing to be reminded that You see our lives and our behaviour, even when no one else is around. Hagar, Sarah’s servant knew that when she was forced out by Sarah. She called You El-roi, – the God who sees me. I’m glad that You see me and know me so well. Thank You. Amen.