Bibledoorajar says "Thy Speech Betray Thee"

     I have often said if I could just solve the communication problems of the world and its' inhabitants I would become a millionaire. Many have written about effective communication and listening skills over the years, but still our speech often betrays us. This is what the maid told Peter when he denied to the crowd that he knew Jesus even as the Holy One had predicted that he would. When Laban caught up to Jacob we see evidence that Laban knew something of Jacob's God, but we also see by his speech that he did not know Him. After a lengthy discussion where both men expressed their views, it was agreed that they would reach a peace covenant allowing Jacob to go where he wanted to be.  This was followed by a sacrifice to God to which Laban did not object. Then they ate bread together. At this place Jacob took a stone and set it up for a pillar to witness the covenant made between he and Laban. However, by his speech we know Laban  was not fully persuaded to honor Jacob's God. He spoke in Chaldean, a heathen's language, using its' word for "heap of witness". But Jacob spoke in Hebrew using its' word for "heap of witness". Jacob's speech told the tale; he was the true believer. He spoke the language of God's people while Laban chose the language of the world. How much Jacob must have believed God to so order his speech in Hebrew. They spent the night in peace and on the next morning Laban kissed his sons and daughters and bid them goodbye. God had prevailed.
     Even as we attempt to negotiate in a world that uses a different speech than ours, God will prevail to see that we walk toward Him. As we live, speaking His language,  He will do for us what He did for Jacob. Our peace covenant with Him will always be honored. We share the Bread with others. And God will arrange our circumstances so we can come to Him while in the world even though the world speaks a different language. As the children say, "God is Great, God is Good, let us thank Him for our Food." Amen