Genesis - Patriarchs: Jacob - week 3

TUESDAY STUDY & DEVOTIONAL

In Genesis 29:4-10, we read a slightly odd account of Jacob and the shepherds. When he came to Laban’s well there were three flocks of sheep lying beside it, with a stone over the top of the well. The shepherds were just standing there, so Jacob tells them, “it is still high day; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered together. Water the sheep and go, pasture them” (v.7). However, they make an excuse about their custom to wait for all the flocks to gather so they have enough manpower to move the stone. First, let us recall that Jacob was the quiet one dwelling in tents, while his brother Esau was the outdoorsman (Gen 25:27), so how does he suddenly have the agricultural knowledge to rebuke and instruct these shepherds? Perhaps it was that he was already enjoying the effects of his blessing from Isaac, which included the “fatness of the earth” and other agricultural material blessings (Gen 25:28).

Secondly, look at what happens when Rachel appears. Jacob removes the stone lid by himself and waters her flocks. This is the same stone that would supposedly need several men to move, but Jacob manages it on his own as soon as he sees Rachel, his future bride. The stone could not keep Jacob from serving the woman he loves.

Once again, Jacob points us to Jesus, who is the better and truer Jacob, the son of promise, Abraham’s true heir. The stone rolled over Jesus’ grave could not keep Jesus from his bride, and neither will this one over Laban’s well. Jacob mightily defeats the apathy of the shepherds and the weight of the stone to draw water. Jesus mightily defeats death with his own death on the cross, rescuing us from our sin and God’s wrath. Jacob water’s Rachel’s flock, and Jesus is the Living Water for his flock. There is nothing that can keep you from the love of Jesus, not your sin, nor anything else in the world.

REFLECTION & NOTES

What “stone” in your life makes you feel separated from Jesus?

Can Jesus move it? Ask him to.

Are there any other ways you see Jesus in this text?