Genesis 29:9-14 – Seizing the God-moment in life

Rachel was a shepherdess leading her sheep to the well for water. On seeing her the other shepherds quickly pointed her out to Jacob, as if to cut short the conversation with him. They must have felt that he was interrupting their rest. Rachel was the younger of Laban’s two daughters. The meaning of her name is “ewe lamb.” She was a lamb that was leading other lambs. On seeing her, the gallantry of Jacob came to the fore. Some believe this to be love at first sight in display. More than that, his action showed that he was sure God had finally guided him to where he ought to be. The action was a show of joy.

The next we read is, “When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, Jacob went up and rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother. Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted his voice and wept.” While it was a communal effort when it comes to removing the cover of the well, Jacob’s emotion got the better of him, He yanked away the stone single-handedly. What he did must have left the other shepherds aghast! He then proceeded to water the sheep she had led to the well. When the sheep were watered he then planted a kiss on Rachel and wept aloud. It was not a sexual suggestion. It was a case of Jacob being overwhelmed by emotion on seeing a distant relative after such a long, lonely and arduous journey. He then introduced himself. What took place was just the unfolding of God’s promise to him at Bethel. He was led to where he should be. 

What Jacob did must have left Rachel astounded. She immediately ran and told her father about it. On hearing the news of Jacob’s arrival, Laban ran to meet him, embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house. For all he was his sister’s son. Fresh on his mind must be the tidy sum of riches he had gotten from Eleazer, who came for the hand of his sister on Isaac’s behalf. The kiss he gave to his distant nephew must be more than inviting. When Jacob told him everything, he exclaimed, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” And Jacob stayed with him a month. Laban must have sized Jacob up from the brief conversation he had with him. He must be a shrewd man, astute at reading character. Here Jacob met his match. The nephew was probably off-guarded for after all he was away from home and in need of a place to stay. So he didn’t think too much of what was looming from the hand of Laban.

It could well be that the encounter Jacob had with God at Bethel had some impact on his life. The vision he had of the ladder, and the promise God made to him, must have all brought out of him some degree of mellowness. We can say that God was directing the business of his life. He did not expect it but the unseen hand of God was certainly at work in his life. Jacob needed to be trained. He still lacked spiritual depth. His carnality needed to be trimmed. For humility and compassion to be built in him, he needed some discomforting experiences and pain. With trials, he would soon have to deal with them with perseverance. And perseverance would bring character and with character comes hope. Hope would never disappoint.

Like Jacob, our relationship with God will bring conflicts. Conflicts will produce constancy. Constancy will shape our character, and character will help us to see clearly the plan God has for our life. Beloved, we are in God’s wonderful hand. We are not yet what we ought to be. But we shall be like Him, when we see Him as He is!