BRAGADAYJAH 109

So both men Laban and Jacob, with God in the middle, came to an understanding. It was more than an entente; it was more of a permanent line drawn in the sand, but erected in stone. Although not in similar circumstances, I am reminded of the lines of Torres Vedras drawn by Sir Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington during the Peninsular War. On this occasion, Laban said to Jacob, “this pillar and this heap of stones I have set between me and you. This heap and this pillar shall be a witness that I will not pass over it to get to you, and you will not cross over it to get to me for the purpose of harm. And let your God and my God, be the judge between us.” Then Jacob said, “I swear by the fear of my father Isaac, that it shall be so.” Before moving on, however, it should, in all fairness and accuracy of interpretation, be pointed out that the wall of separation between Laban and Jacob was not ostensibly at least, a wall of hatred or permanent separation; for it was started clearly, the wall should not be crossed to do harm that is to say in a hostile manner, and leaving open the possibility of crossing in the future for none hostile purposes. Having made a covenant of peace and understanding, Jacob offered a sacrifice and they ate bread upon the mountain and stayed up all night. Perhaps it would not be too much of an eisegesis to infer that even after their respective solemn promises, neither side, least of all Jacob’s completely trusted the other, hence, keeping watch all night. But be that as it may, no one slept that night. And early the next morning, Laban kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them and returned to his house. Jacob too went on his way and soon encountered a host of angels, whereupon he declared, “this is God’s host.” And he called the name of the place Mahanaim.” Jacob clearly was a man of great vision, both linguistically and spiritually. Seeing the host of angels, he had the concept that the hosts of God were encamped around his camp, Mahanaim, meaning, among others “two camps.” For indeed the throne of God is encamped around the dwellings of the just.” More.