Jacob Meets Rachel – GOD’s Perfect Timing

   February 13, 2020
JACOB MEETS RACHEL

So perfect was God’s timing that Rachel was just arriving with her flock when Jacob was talking with the shepherds.

Being a good shepherd, Jacob wondered why they were all waiting at the well when there was still daylight for feeding the sheep.

They explained that they did not remove the cover from the well until all the herds had arrived.

It was an emotion-packed moment for Jacob when he met his cousin Rachel, and for Laban a short while later when he met his nephew Jacob.

Genesis 29:9-17 KJV

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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?

[16] And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

[17] Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.

Genesis 29:9 KJV

And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep: for she kept them.

  • Among the pastoral tribes the young unmarried daughters of the greatest sheiks tend the flocks, going out at sunrise and continuing to watch their fleecy charges till sunset.

Genesis 29:10 KJV

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.

  • Watering them, which is done twice a day, is a work of time and labor, and Jacob rendered no small service in volunteering his aid to the young shepherdess. The interview was affecting, the reception welcome, and Jacob forgot all his toils in the society of his Mesopotamian relatives.

Genesis 29:11 KJV

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

  • Can we doubt that he returned thanks to God for His goodness by the way?

Genesis 29:12 KJV

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.

  • According to the practice of the East, the term “brother” is extended to remote degrees of relationship, as uncle, cousin, or nephew.

Genesis 29:13 KJV

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.

  • I imagine that Jacob had quite a bit to talk about.
  • I wouldn’t be surprised to find that he entertained them at dinner with his story of how he tricked his brother to get his birthright, and how he used trickery to get the blessing, and how clever he was.
  • He probably told about that night at Bethel, too. “He told Laban all these things.”

Genesis 29:14 KJV

And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

  • Among pastoral people a stranger is freely entertained for three days; on the fourth day he is expected to tell his name and errand; and if he prolongs his stay after that time, he must set his hand to work in some way, as may be agreed upon.

Genesis 29:15 KJV

And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?

  • A similar rule obtained in Laban‘s establishment, and the wages for which his nephew engaged to continue in his employment was the hand of Rachel.

Genesis 29:16 KJV

And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.

  • Here we are introduced to another daughter, Leah.
  • Uncle Laban has been watching this boy, and he has noted that his nephew has become very much interested in his daughter Rachel, the younger of the two.
  • The next verse tells us why—

Genesis 29:17 KJV

Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.

  • Leah tender-eyed — that is, soft blue eyes – thought a blemish.
  • Rachel beautiful and well-favored — that is, comely and handsome in form. The latter was Jacob‘s choice.

I hope that you have really enjoyed this post,

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