[The heap of stones] was also called Mizpah, because he said, "May the Lord keep watch between you and me while we are away from each other." (Genesis 31:49)
Thoughts: Laban was Jacob's uncle, and his mother Rachel's brother. He deceived Jacob by tricking him into marrying Leah when Jacob really wanted to marry Leah's sister, Rachel. Jacob had to work for Laban another seven years to marry Rachel. Laban and Jacob each tried to twist their business to their advantage. Then Jacob (whose name means "deceiver") stole away from Laban in the middle of the night taking Laban's daughters and grandchildren with him, as well as the flocks he had earned in his 14 years of labor. Laban came in force but God persuaded him to be gentle with Jacob. Laban faced not seeing his daughters and grandchildren ever again. He had to give them up. So he and Jacob made a covenant that God would watch over both of them.
Now this is a bit more than saying- I see the same moon that you see- which watches over both of us. The moon watches poetically, but God watches with a sharper eye than any human or even better than any Google satellite camera.
This is a covenant- an agreement made that they would pray for one another and remain in steadfast loyalty to each other and to God.
It is a prayer for protection. It is a prayer for safe-keeping. It is similar to the great benediction given by Moses (Numbers 6:23)- "The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord make His face to shine on you and give you peace."
It is a prayer for blessing and keeping while they were unable to see each other, eat together, watch the children grow together, experience the ups and downs of life together. It was a sad benediction, but yet a hopeful one. At least they both had a common faith and Lord that would watch over them.
In our day, we need this prayer. We need to pray- may God watch between us when we are away from each other. We cannot see each other, but God sees us. We are really beyond each other's help, but not beyond God's help. But it also infers hope that one day we will not be absent from each other. In heaven, there is a great reunion, even of those who die of covid19. Faith always has an element of hope to it.
This was the benediction that every Presbyterian Women's Circle in the PCUS said as they broke apart. As we are scattered from each other- may it be our prayer for blessing and keeping as well.
Prayer: So may the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent one from the other.
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