(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)
After an amazing
time of worship at Bethel, Jacob continues his journey toward the house of
Rebekah’s brother. He was still in hiding from Esau, and he was still in pursuit of a suitable wife.
Eventually Jacob comes to the land of The Eastern People. This does not mean the people of the east
in general, but is referring to the eastern limits of the migrations of Abraham’s
family. It is most likely the
area close to the Euphrates River in northern Syria and Southeastern Turkey,
which was near the location of Haran during the time of Jacob’s life.
While
traveling down the open country road Jacob sights a well where three flocks of
sheep are grazing, and waiting to be watered.
Their shepherds were with them and they stood talking to each other
around the well.
Wells in
this dry land were very valuable and often hard to maintain. Anyone
raising livestock needed access to well water.
This was dry desert land and the winds often blew the shifting sands
inside open wells which stopped them up and ruined their use. Also the sun shining down so hot often evaporated small supplies of uncovered water. It
was good to keep a well covered, and this one was protected.
Jacob noticed that the top of the well was
covered with a very large heavy stone.
The stone was large enough that it usually took three people to move it
away and replace it over the covering of the well again after the flocks were watered. The size of the stone and the
requirement for so many to move it probably kept people who were unwanted from
having easy access to the well, and it also kept people passing by from using
up the water supply without asking permission.
Animals could not fall inside and get trapped in the well either. There were many reasons for this protective
covering.
All of the
shepherds were standing around with their flocks, just waiting. Jacob wondered why they would be wasting this
good grazing time while the sun was still high in the sky. Why didn’t they just remove the stone and
water their flocks? He was soon to discover the reason.
He greeted
the men and asked them where they were from.
They told him they were from Haran.
So Jacob asked them if they knew Laban, Nahor’s grandson. They replied that they did.
“Is he
well?” Jacob asked.
“Yes, he
is well, as a matter of fact here comes his daughter Rachel now with his sheep.”
They all had
been waiting on Rachel to arrive. This
told Jacob that the well probably belonged to Laban and he was allowing them to
use the water after his own livestock were watered.
The
beautiful daughter of Laban was a shepherdess.
This was not an unusual occupation for a young lady in these parts. The sheep were always tended either by the
bondservant or the youngest child in the family. Rachel was Laban’s youngest daughter. The other shepherds had been waiting on her
to bring Laban’s sheep so that they could drink first and then they all would
be invited to share the bounty of Laban’s well.
When Jacob
saw Rachel he quickly rushed to her side, pulled the huge stone that usually
took three people to move off the opening of the well all by himself, and
proceeded to water her sheep.
Rachel must
have been greatly surprised and impressed with his actions.
Jacob became overwhelmed with joy on finding out that God had led him
straight to Laban’s household. He was so happy to have found Rachel here!
When Jacob
first gazed into Rachel’s eyes, he fell instantly in love.
He
explained to Rachel that he was a relative, and she quickly ran to tell her
brother Laban who rushed out to meet Jacob and welcome him into the family
household. Laban exclaimed over and over
that he was glad to see someone of his own flesh and blood, and he invited
Jacob to stay at his home for as long as he liked.
