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?

 

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?