Information Gathering

Information Gathering

Genesis 29: ⁴ And Jacob said to them, “My brethren, where are you from?”

And they said, “We are from Haran.”

⁵ Then he said to them, “Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?”

And they said, “We know him.”

⁶ So he said to them, “Is he well?”

And they said, “He is well. And look, his daughter Rachel is coming with the sheep.”

⁷ Then he said, “Look, it is still high day; it is not time for the cattle to be gathered together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them.”

⁸ But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together, and they have rolled the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.”

 

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Jacob approached the herders and began asking questions. He asked about location then about Laban. He expressed concern by asking “Is he well?”

 

My Observations:

• Jacob seemed to be gathering information from the herders.
• Jacob knew a lot about keeping sheep and cattle.
• Jacob gathered enough information before showing the herders he was an expert.

 

 

Asking questions seemed to help Jacob become credible with the herders. He asked the right questions, causing the herders to point out Rachel. This action was a strange response to Jacob’s question “Is he well?” I believe they were pointing out the fact that Laban had children and a flock of sheep, so he must be doing well.

 

Jacob took this information as an opportunity to show that he knew a lot about herding. He gave instructions that only an expert could give. They explained the local rule, but may have agreed with Jacob. He was becoming more and more credible with the local herders.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the conversation between Jacob and the herders?
• Do you ask questions when meeting new people?
• Have you formulated questions to put people at ease before speaking to them about CHRIST?