Not every item I value holds true worth. After wildfires consumed so many houses in Colorado several years ago, and now watching the fires in California, I wonder what I would grab if I needed to flee from my home?

I’d pack up my computer, phone, and chargers. Make sure I have passwords for bank accounts and other important information. Then my wallet and any cash around the house. A few clothes. Finally, some photo albums. Which ones to stuff in the car, and which to leave behind?

Loads and loads of goods that felt important at the time of purchase wouldn’t make the cut. Not worthy of the limited space in the back of my Jeep.

Jacob fled from his father-in-law Laban like running from a wildfire. Laban abused Jacob’s hard work and consumed years of his labor. Jacob left with his wives and children and flocks, doing so while Laban was away.

Laban and his men caught up with Jacob a few days later. Along with running off with his daughters and grandchildren, Laban accused Jacob of stealing his household gods. After a tense exchange, and not finding the gods (cleverly hidden by Rachel), Laban relented. The two set up a pillar between them, sort of a fire line that neither would cross in anger. Then they swore an oath to seal the deal.

Laban said, May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us. Then Jacob took an oath in the name of the Fear of his father Isaac.

Jacob appealed to the Fear of his father Isaac, a term describing deep reverence and respect for God. Laban also swore by the God of Abraham. But Laban didn’t refer at all to his household gods, those images he so desperately searched for among the tents. Apparently, when it came down to a life-long promise, they were worthy of no oath.

The fire exercise makes for a good thought experiment. What would you grab as you run out the door? One thing for sure, in my haste I would pass over many items of no real value.

Which leads me to consider, what other goods or ideas or beliefs do I cling to that are actually worthy of no oath?

Genesis 31

Photo by Annie Spratt