Bible Study Online Article
Up to this point in Jacob's life, the only support and encouragement he ever had, came only from his mother Rebekah. And although he had been predestine by the Lord to be the new promise bearer, Jacob gives in to the pressure from his mother and takes things into his own hands and deceives his father Isaac. This would result in Jacob receiving a special blessing that Isaac had intended to speak into the life of his oldest and the one son he held true and dear - Esau. Jacob had already been fearful of the wrath of God falling upon him, because he deceived his father. And on top of that, shortly after, Esau would find out that Jacob had tricked their father and he was now the official new promise bearer of the most sacred Abrahamic Covenant. Because of this, Esau vowed to kill his brother. Jacob is forced to leave his father's great estate in which he found himself all alone and away from the privileges and comforts he was use to. With Jacob being the new promise bearer there couldn't be any doubt on his part on what his true purpose was. So it was only fitting that the Lord Himself had came and gave Jacob a heavenly confirmation on all that awaits him. After Jacob had the pleasure of experiencing a moment of such a great magnitude, we now find that he has continued on with his journey, by having more confidence and great anticipation when it came to the purpose of his life. He would travel and find himself some four hundred miles out and away from the land of Canaan. As Jacob approached a well that was in the field, he would come in contact with some shepherds that dwelled within the eastern parts of these lands. The Bible takes the time to point out that when all the flocks were gathered at the well, a very large and heavy stone that covered the mouth of the well would be removed by the shepherds during this time. Then after the sheep had been watered, the shepherds would roll the stone back over the mouth of the well. Water was a very precious and valuable commodity in those parts and that particular well was used by the owners of the well and was not to be used by just anybody. This stone would also help to preserve the water and safeguard it against any spiteful hand or drifters that might want to damage or gain access to the well owner's invaluable water commodity. This stone would also protect the well from damage that could be caused by the heat of the sun and kept the sheep from falling in and perhaps accidentally drowning themselves. "My brothers, where are you from?" Jacob would call out to the shepherds that were near the well. "We are from Haran," they replied. "Do you know Laban, Nahor's grandson?" Jacob would call out again. "Yes, we know him," they answered. "Is he well?" Jacob asked. "Yes, he is and here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep. Then Jacob would reply, "Look, the sun is still high; it is not time for the flocks to be gathered. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture," Jacob would advise them. "We can't until all the flocks are gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep," they explained to the promise bearer. In the meantime while Jacob and the shepherds were talking amongst themselves, Rachel came near with her father's sheep. Rachel who name means (a sheep) was the shepherdess of that flock and she outranked the other shepherds that were there with her. She was a very beautiful, humble and industrious (hardworking) woman. When Jacob had seen Rachel the daughter of Laban, his mother's brother, he ran and removed the stone from the mouth of the well. This speaks volumes, when it comes to the true physical strength of Jacob, for he was able to move the large and heavy stone on his own. The promise bearer would then water the sheep that Rachel was tending to. Jacob then went over to Rachel and kissed her, which was the custom whenever you greeted a friend or relative. The promise bearer would then cry out loud as he wept with tears of joy. This would mark a great moment for Jacob, being that once again he gets some sort of confirmation that he is indeed on the right path. First, he gets the visitation from the Lord in which He confirms Jacob's true life purpose. Now he gets another confirmation that shows that the instructions that his father Isaac had given to him before his departure on his own are now beginning to come into play. "Go at once to Paddan Aram, to the house of your mother's father Bethuel. Take a wife for yourself there, from among the daughters of Laban, your mother's brother." (Genesis 28: 2) Jacob begins to explain to Rachel that he was a relative of her father and the son of Rebekah. Now after Rachel had heard what Jacob had said, she immediately ran to go and tell her father Laban all that Jacob had told her. After Laban had heard all that Rachel had to say about Jacob arriving, he ran out forthwith to meet with him. Laban would embrace and kiss Jacob, for it was the custom thing to do while meeting and greeting amongst friends and relatives. Afterwards Laban would invite Jacob to his home and there the promise bearer told him all concerning his occurrences on his journey and how he met with Rachel at the well. After Laban heard all that Jacob was willing to share with him, he spoke saying, "You are my own flesh and blood." Start at: The Introduction of Abraham Start at: The Birth of Isaac Start at: The Birth of Esau & Jacob 43) Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty 44) Jacob - The Stone Pillow Dream 45) <-CURRENT PAGE-> 46) Jacob - The Love Season of Reaping 50) The Mandrake Plant of Love  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. 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