OUT OF CONTEXT

The Friendship Verse
I once read this verse on a Christian “friendship” card; “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are out of each other’s sight” (Gen 31:49). It sounds really nice with the implication that God will keep on eye on my friend for me and on me for him when we are away from one another, but if you consider the context of the passage it’s like using the command, “Love your enemies” on a Get-Well card. Laban, Jacob’s uncle, had just been swindled out of his speckled goats and was now on the warpath to retrieve his daughters and twelve grandchildren. Only God warned the brother of Rebekah not to harm the chosen one of the Lord. Laban and Jacob made a treaty at Galeed that neither would pass the mound in order to harm the other. In essence, they were saying, “Goodbye, enemy of mine.” Not really a “friendship” verse at all, is it?
It’s not the first verse to be taken out of context, of course. There are many others to include Luke 6:38 concerning money, Ephesians 4:15 concerning the pastoral position, and John 3:16 concerning salvation. But we don’t have time for those today. Instead, consider what verse should be written on that Halmark Christian friendship card. “You are my friends if you do what I command you… I have called you friends because… I chose [and] appointed you that you should go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain” (John 15:14-16).


Study the Bible to show yourself approved; don’t just do Bible study to approve of yourself.