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(Genesis) Genesis 31:42-49
J. Vernon McGee

John Vernon McGee (1904 - 1988). American Presbyterian pastor, radio teacher, and author born in Hillsboro, Texas. Converted at 14, he earned a bachelor’s from Southwestern University, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a D.D. from Columbia Seminary. Ordained in 1933, he pastored in Georgia, Tennessee, and California, notably at Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles from 1949 to 1970, growing it to 3,000 members. In 1967, he launched Thru the Bible, a radio program teaching the entire Bible verse-by-verse over five years, now airing in 100 languages across 160 countries. McGee authored over 200 books, including Genesis to Revelation commentaries. Known for his folksy, Southern style, he reached millions with dispensationalist teachings. Married to Ruth Inez Jordan in 1936, they had one daughter. Despite throat cancer limiting his later years, he recorded thousands of broadcasts. His program and writings continue to shape evangelical Bible study globally.
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In this sermon, the preacher discusses the contract made between Jacob and Laban. Laban claims ownership of everything, including Jacob's wives and children. Jacob, however, asserts that God has seen his affliction and rebukes Laban. Laban suggests making a covenant, and they set up a stone as a witness. The preacher emphasizes that this contract is not a benediction but rather a resolution between two deceitful individuals to stop stealing from each other.
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Now, he leaves Laban, they bid each other goodbye, and they're going to make a contract. Let me read now verse 42. "'Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac had been with me, surely thou had sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction, and the labor of my hands, and rebuked thee yesterday night.' Now Jacob has his day in court, and he lets Laban have it now. "'And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, these children are my children, these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine. And what can I do this day unto these? My daughters are unto their children which have been born. Now therefore, come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou. Let it be for a witness between me and thee.' And Jacob took a stone and set it up for a pillar. And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones, and they took stones. And now they make a contract.'" Verse 48, "'And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galed and Mizpah. For he said, The Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent one from another.' And this has been used by young people's groups as a benediction and other groups. And I don't think it ought to be used that way because this is actually a contract between two rascals that they're going to quit stealing from each other and work on somebody else. The Lord watch between me and thee. In other words, may the Lord keep His eye on you so you won't steal from me anymore. That's exactly what these men are saying. Now they're going to separate, and they do separate, and we're going to see the great experience and the life of Jacob next time in chapter 32.
(Genesis) Genesis 31:42-49
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John Vernon McGee (1904 - 1988). American Presbyterian pastor, radio teacher, and author born in Hillsboro, Texas. Converted at 14, he earned a bachelor’s from Southwestern University, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a D.D. from Columbia Seminary. Ordained in 1933, he pastored in Georgia, Tennessee, and California, notably at Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles from 1949 to 1970, growing it to 3,000 members. In 1967, he launched Thru the Bible, a radio program teaching the entire Bible verse-by-verse over five years, now airing in 100 languages across 160 countries. McGee authored over 200 books, including Genesis to Revelation commentaries. Known for his folksy, Southern style, he reached millions with dispensationalist teachings. Married to Ruth Inez Jordan in 1936, they had one daughter. Despite throat cancer limiting his later years, he recorded thousands of broadcasts. His program and writings continue to shape evangelical Bible study globally.