Relationship Established

Relationship Established

Genesis 29: ⁹ Now while he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. ¹⁰ And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother. ¹¹ Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept. ¹² And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s relative and that he was Rebekah’s son. So she ran and told her father.

 

¹³ Then it came to pass, when Laban heard the report about Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house. So he told Laban all these things. ¹⁴ And Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” And he stayed with him for a month.

 

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While Jacob was speaking, Rachel came with Laban’s sheep. She was a Shepherdess and could recognize when someone knew how to tend sheep. Jacob sprung into action by rolling away the stone and watered the flock.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob may have had a conversation with Rachel that is not revealed.
• Jacob kissed Rachel and told her all about his relationship to her.
• Rachel got excited and told Laban everything, causing him to come and meet Jacob.

 

Things seemed to be going very well for Jacob and Rachel, almost like a fairytale. But Jacob was shrewd and so was Laban. Two shrewd people were out for personal gain. But Jacob was changing. He wept, probably in disbelief that what GOD told him was coming true.

 

Jacob was also about to fulfil the blessing given to him by Isaac. Jacob was probably overcome with amazement so he cried out as he wept. Laban acknowledged Jacob as a relative. And welcomed him into his household.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD mentioned that Rachel was a shepherdess to Moses?
• Have you ever been accepted into a godly family?
• Can you extend your hospitality to someone today, if only for a moment with a smile?