| Subject: Genesis 29 vss. 1-6 Post 148 |
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Hillbilly
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Date Posted: 20:35:49 04/17/11 Sun
CHAPTER 29
Genesis 29:1-6 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east. 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. 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. 4And 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. 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's been a long journey but Jacob has finally arrived at the jumping off place of Abraham's journey westward. At his arrival he spots a well with three flocks of sheep lying around it. A stone is on the mouth of it blocking usage. It is a picture full of symbolism. The three flocks remind us of the three great divisions of mankind represented by Noah's three sons. The Japethites, Shemites and Hamites which are indicative of the European Asiatic and African races. The well reminds us of salvation. Isaiah 12:2-4 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. 4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
Water is life. It represents the Spirit of God. It is by a well of water that Isaac's wife is found and as we will see it is here that Jacob first lays his eyes on the beautiful Rachel.
That the well is covered and inaccessible is symbolic of the inaccessibility of obtaining the Spirit of God until the well is opened. The offer of salvation comes at the invitation of God. John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Fast forward from Jacob at the well to Jesus at the well in John's gospel chapter 4 and we see another woman at a well who, although she can get the physical water, cannot obtain the "living water" unless it is made accessible to her by the one who has the power to uncover this well and supply her with the everlasting and living water.
All the women found at the well throughout the Bible are representative of certain aspects of the salvation that comes through the Spirit of God. Rebekah, Rachel, Zipporah (Moses wife) and the oft married woman in John 4 represent characteristics of the "Bride of Christ" Rebekah was a tireless worker and trusted the word of Eliezer the servant of Abraham. He was a type of the Spirit of God speaking to the heart of the goodness of God. Rebekah was willing to forsake all at the word of a stranger and step out on faith to go to Isaac. Rachel speaks of the beauty of the Church and willingness to forsake all also. Even though she stayed with family for more than 14 years she went where her husband went and served at his bidding. Zipporah shows a darker side of the Church which is capable of rebellion. The woman at the well in John 4 shows the sinful side of a person before coming to Christ and becoming a part of the "Bride of Christ". She shows the necessity of repentance in order to receive the "living water".
Looking at the three flocks by the well we can see all people of all races have a need of the living water that God will make accessible to them. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Jacob, having arrived at the well speaks with the men gathered around and inquires as to their residency. Upon hearing they were from Haran Jacob knew God had prospered his journey. Jacob also knew that God was with him in that the men not only knew his uncle and that he was well but informed him also that Rachel, his daughter was coming with her father's sheep. Many might say that all this was coincidence but those who believe the Bible and in God's unseen but guiding hand know that God had brought Jacob to this spot at this time to meet Rachel, his chosen bride for Jacob.
All of God's saved children are saved where they are saved at His beck and call. They are not there to hear the preacher at that time by accident or the one who witnesses to them at a certain time is not there by chance but by the guiding unseen hand of God. That call or whisper that says "come unto me" is not your imagination. God places the call to "drink from the well of salvation" on every person born. It is up to us to answer that call and surrender to His will.
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