On Point: Genesis 29:1-14
When a person takes the time to align their heart to God’s agenda, life is both rewarding and fulfilling. God knows how we were created. He knows our gifts and our talents. He knows our weaknesses and our growing edges. He knows what makes us complete. In Him – and thus as we follow His ways – we are made whole and find our purpose in life.
Inspired by God’s promise in the vision, Jacob continues to Haran to meet with Laban. God is with Him. God promised to protect Him and to watch over his journey. Jacob arrives on cue, finding the scene prepared for him. The scene unfolds similarly to the way Abraham’s servant progressed when he came for Rebekah. God’s hand is already at work. Rachel the shepherdess comes to the well at just the right time.
It is easy to read this passage and think God handles everything. If we’re not careful, we can read passages like this and conclude God will take care of the details. If we’re not careful, we end up teaching a prosperity gospel, which proposes that if a plan succeeds then God is in favor of it and if a plan fails then God is against it.
That isn’t at all what is going on here. Jacob plays an integral role in the action. Jacob gets up and journeys. He follows God. He listens. Jacob anticipates God. Jacob isn’t some automaton on a predestined plan that cannot deviate from God’s direction. Jacob is a human being following God’s lead and discerning God’s plan as he walks through it with God.
When Jacob arrives at the well, he notices there are shepherds already there. They let him know he is in the right spot. They also point out Rachel, Laban’s daughter, coming to him. Once Jacob has the information he needs, he tells the shepherds they are at the well too early and there is still plenty of time in the day for the herds to go out and graze. In other words, Jacob dispatches the shepherds to gain a moment alone with Rachel.
Jacob is eager to get straight to work. He came to find a wife, and he wants to make short work of the task. He greets Rachel with a kiss and explains his relationship to her. She immediately runs to Laban, who comes back to welcome Jacob and show him hospitality. God’s plan continues to progress well.
At this point in the story, Jacob is on point. His experience at Bethel has him focused. He has put the deception behind him and is surging ahead in truth. He’s never had problems being shrewd in his tactics, so it isn’t a surprise he’s making good decisions. When a person takes the time to align their heart to God’s agenda, life is both rewarding and fulfilling.
