Studies In Genesis: Chapter 29 Series

Note: When doing a study on a book in the Bible you use a lot of resources. The major influence for me on this study of Genesis is The Genesis Record by Henry Morris.

Genesis 29:1. Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the

people of the east.

Here we pick with Jacob and his travels. He has run away from his brother Esau. On this journey he met up with the Lord. He has his first personal encounter with the Almighty. God is preparing his covenant with Jacob. Jacob is going to learn a big lesson over the next 14 years that will change his life forever.

2 And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there

[were] three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well

they watered the flocks: and a great stone [was] upon the well's

mouth.

Water was a valuable substance back then. It was protected and guarded. Sheep herding was a big industry and everyone was looking for water. Jacob walks up among these men with their sheep waiting to water their flock.

3 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the

stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the

stone again upon the well's mouth in his place.

Here is the description of how it worked.

4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence [be] ye? And

they said, Of Haran [are] we.

5 And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And

they said, We know [him].

Jacob must have been close to his destination so he begins to inquire of Laban. Now we will see Gods hand in this.

6 And he said unto them, [Is] he well? And they said, [He is]

well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

It is no coincidence that Jacob met up with this group and also with Rachel. It was not luck or fate this is the work of the almighty. Here we see Rachel the one to marry Jacob.

7 And he said, Lo, [it is] yet high day, neither [is it] time

that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep,

and go [and] feed [them].

8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered

together, and [till] they roll the stone from the well's mouth;

then we water the sheep.

I thought this was funny but it also showed a little arrogance on the part of Jacob. Jacob was going to show the shepherds when to water their flock. He did not understand why they were waiting. But come to find out they were waiting on Rachel so they all could water at the same time.

9. And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her

father's sheep: for she kept them.

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.

When Jacob saw Rachel something must have come over him, he moved the large stone all by himself and allowed the sheep to be watered.

11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

12 And Jacob told Rachel that he [was] her father's brother,

and that he [was] Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.

Jacob was so excited to see a kinsman. He kissed her and cried and wept. He had finally found what he was looking for. Now look what Rebekah does. She runs home and tells her father. Just as Rebekah did when talked to by Abraham's servant.

13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob

his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and

kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all

these things.

14 And Laban said to him, Surely thou [art] my bone and my

flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

What is the difference between the greeting of the servant of Abraham and the greeting here of Jacob?

Now we see that Jacob was here for one month. It doesn't say that he worked he was just there living off of Laban so Laban decides to take advantage of the situation.

15. And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou [art] my brother,

shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what

[shall] thy wages [be]?

So one day over dinner he tactfully begins to talk to Jacob. Instead of saying you owe me and you can't bum off me he says, what will you wages be? You are my brother what can I pay you.