Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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The ceremony of this covenant. It was made and ratified with great solemnity, according to the usages of those times.
(1.) A pillar was erected (Ge 31:45), and a heap of stones raised (Ge 31:46), to perpetuate the memory or the thing, the way of recording agreements by writing being then either not known or not used.
(2.) A sacrifice was offered (Ge 31:54), a sacrifice of peace-offerings. Note, Our peace with God is that which puts true comfort into our peace with our friends. If parties contend, the reconciliation of both to him will facilitate their reconciliation one to another.
(3.) They did eat bread together (Ge 31:46), jointly partaking of the feast upon the sacrifice, Ge 31:54. This was in token of a hearty reconciliation. Covenants of friendship were anciently ratified by the parties eating and drinking together. It was in the nature of a love-feast.
(4.) They solemnly appealed to God concerning their sincerity herein,
[1.] As a witness (Ge 31:49): The Lord watch between me and thee, that is, "The Lord take cognizance of everything that shall be done on either side in violation of this league. When we are out of one another's sight, let his be a restraint upon us, that wherever we are we are under God's eye." This appeal is convertible into a prayer. Friends at a distance from each other may take the comfort of this, that when they cannot know or succour one another God watches between them, and has his eye on them both.
[2.] As a Judge, Ge 31:53. The God of Abraham (from whom Jacob descended), and the God of Nahor (from whom Laban descended), the God of their father (the common ancestor, from