1 Then Jacob set out on his journey, and went to the land of the people of the east. 2 He looked, and saw a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it, because they watered the flocks from that well. Now the stone on the mouth of the well was large. 3 When all the flocks were gathered there, they would roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep. Then they would put the stone back in its place on the mouth of the well.

4 Jacob said to them, “My brothers, where are you from?” And they said, “We are from Haran.” 5 So he said to them, “Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?” And they said, “We know him.” 6 And he said to them, “Is it well with him?” And they said, “It is well, and here is his daughter Rachel coming with the sheep.” 7 Then he said, “Look, it is still high day; it is not time for the livestock to be gathered. Water the sheep, and go, pasture them.” 8 But they said, “We cannot, until all the flocks are gathered, and they roll the stone from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.”

Genesis 29:1-8 (NASB)

Found it

Jacob journeys about 450 miles east and makes it to Haran, the place where his Uncle Laban lives. Coincidental? No. Guided by God, he finds the exact location…without Waze, Google Maps or GPS! The scene opens at a well for watering sheep. The lives of Abraham, Isaac and now Jacob seem to always involve wells. Most notably was the well where Abraham’s servant met Rebekah (here is the account) when looking for a wife for Isaac, Jacob’s father.

Divination by God or self

Such a difference between Jacob’s approach to finding his wife and Abraham’s servant . The servant went in obedience to Abraham. Jacob went with conditions for God. The servant was focused on getting God’s choice for a wife for Isaac so prayed and asked for confirmation (Genesis 24:10-14). He sought the Lord for wisdom and direction. Jacob, on the other hand, was more task-oriented and just asked questions – relying solely on his own abilities.

Setup for a date

Jacob finds out Rachel is coming with her dad’s sheep. Knowing this could be his wife, he tries to set up the first date. It seems like he tries to get rid of the shepherds telling them it’s not time to gather the flocks but to go pasture them (“get lost”). The shepherds don’t get the hint and stick around.

RЯeflection

• Do you remember the servant’s seeking a wife for Isaac? Can you see the difference between his approach and Jacob’s? Which do you think more closely resembles your approach? Do you rely on the Lord for direction and wisdom? Of course God gives us minds and intelligence but we are best to seek the Lord to direct their use.