Parasha Vayetze: Day 6

B'reisheet/Genesis 31:22-32:2

YHVH sees everything. He sees the arrogant and prideful in their insolence, just as He watches the humble of heart being beat down. The Creator sees every behavior in between these contrasts and observes all the actions of man, recording them for the day of judgment. Those who repent from their evil inclinations and deeds, their records are wiped of the regretted sins.

Man has an seemingly unrelenting need to be right, above all others and the originator of deed and thought. When others come up with original thinking, action or are right, many are ready to pounce on the individual with critics, negativity and naysaying. Thus, when a righteous man has inspired thought or is found in righteous deeds, the negative, selfish and arrogant of the world stand in line to castigate character and conviction. The negative want to disprove, ridicule or just plain grump about anything and everything. The selfish have a hard time accepting any other person's thoughts or see their benefits because the self-absorbed are left out of the attention or advantage. The arrogant just plain think everyone is beneath them. These are the people, even as believers and Covenant keepers, who believe they have a corner on righteousness and all others need to seek their permission before taking action or credit of a conviction.

Yacov found himself up against a man, Laban, who suffered from such worldly anxieties and flaws. Being selfish and prideful, Laban exuded character anomalies by taking from others, lying, usurping, changing his mind at random and when it suited his best interests, etc... At the end of Laban's relationship with Yacov and his daughters, Yacov set up a pillar and told his kinsmen to heap stones at Gilead. Being the corrupt man that Laban was, he immediately takes control of the situation touting his actions of setting up the heap and pillar. How sad that this individual would need Yacov around in order to sustain himself and be blessed. His own merit was not enough to warrant such reward. Furthermore, Laban had not original thought of his own, but stole the ideas and practices from Yacov whom he knew to be blessed of Elohim.

On the other side of covenant established between Laban and Yacov was a man who had made an oath to YHVH. He knew that no matter where on earth he dwelt, Elohim watched over him, saw his actions and would hold him to task in his deeds and speech. To Yacov, it did not matter if Laban saw, knew or judged him, Elohim was in charge and knew the truth of Yacov's every transaction and every deed. When it came time to make a covenant with Laban concerning their future, Yacov did not argue over who set up the pillar heaped the stones for the memorial altar. He did not indulge his flesh to come up with words, but allowed Laban to distinguish Who the Judge would be and to Whom they would fulfill their oath not to harm the other party. Yacov knew that YHVH was in control and that the Almighty knew the score between these two men and the family matters. As such, he humbled himself to Laban and to the Father in submission to YHVH's will. It did not matter who took credit for the altar or the name of the place, what mattered was that YHVH was being glorified and He would be Judge. Arguing with a man over who was right or who built what was moot, since YHVH sees justice and injustice, pride and humility.

As Yacov went on his way from Laban, the angels of Elohim met him. This was a confirmation that Yacov was not only to keep his vow, but that Elohim heard and saw all of Yacov's actions, words, promises and vows. Soon, this would be proven in Rachel's death. Yacov had just made the proclamation that whoever had the household idols would not live.  Even though the false gods were not found, Rachel did have them and she would die in child birth. YHVH was exacting as Yacov knew. By naming camp Mahanaim, he declared that there were indeed two camps and two vantage points—man's and Elohim's. YHVH is always a witness.

We cannot hide from the Almighty. He sees and knows all the actions we take and the words we say. Our integrity must be measured by YHVH's standard and not man's. There are plenty of Laban's in the earth today. They seek to devour the righteous while heaping stones of negativity, doubt and worry on our acts of faith. Laban's twist our words and take what does not belong to them, touting it as their own. They are consumed pride, having the knowledge of YHVH, but denying His power, even as the adversary plants those usurping thoughts into their minds. We, on the other hand, do not have the luxury of such sin. We dance in the company of both men and angels; we have witnesses of both men and Elohim. Man may have intent to do us harm; he may come after us with ill feelings, pride and contempt. YHVH is just, though, and will not allow His righteous to be tossed away or consumed. He will vindicate our cause as we humble ourselves so that He is esteemed in our stead.

Dwell upon Psalm 138:6-7, "For though YHVH is exalted, yet He regards the lowly, but the haughty He knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me."