Daily Devotions
Genesis
"I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.'" Psalm 91:2
Text: Genesis 29:1-35
OVERWHELMED BY THE OBVIOUS BLESSING OF GOD
Jacob must have been thoroughly overwhelmed by the turn of events in his life, ever since the Lord appeared to him at Bethel! The Lord did not appear to him every day, but He did not have to do that. The evidence of His blessing was more than sufficient proof that He was fulfilling all that He had promised Jacob.
“Now while he was still speaking with them, Rachel
came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess.
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.”GENESIS 29:9-10
“Laban His Mother’s Brother”
Three times over, the writer used the same phrase in this simple text! The emphasis was obvious! It was to express the fact that Jacob kept going over and over this wondrous thought! He had succeeded in locating his mother’s family! He did not have to spend fruitless time searching endlessly for his uncle Laban! Lo and behold, his uncle’s daughter and sheep were there! How could this be possible without the hand of God blessing his life! Truly, this God of Abraham and of Isaac was wonderful and great indeed!
AN ENTHUSIASTIC OVERTURE
It may not have been customary for the stone covering the mouth of the well to be moved. However to a newcomer like Jacob, this custom was something that could be changed. He must have reasoned within himself the following thoughts.
1. The supply of the water would not be affected adversely
Would the use of the water at an earlier time schedule affect the supply of the water? Probably not!
2. A Better use of Time
Jacob thought that Rachel’s time was better utilized if he could help her out. If no one else could come and help him, he would muster all his strength and with a supreme effort, he would be able to move the stone from the mouth of the well.
3. A Reversal of Roles
It was Rebekah who watered the 10 camels of Eliezer. The role was somewhat reversed now. It was Jacob who watered the entire flock of Rachel. How many sheep did Rachel have? We are not told, but we can still appreciate the huge amount of energy that Jacob must have expended to help Rachel water her flock of sheep!