Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 1.djvu/188

156 HEN 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. 4. And 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. 7. And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them. 8. And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.

All the stages of Israel's march to Canaan are distinctly noticed, but no particular journal is kept of Jacob's expedition further than Bethel; no, he had no more such happy nights as he had at Bethel, no more such visions of the Almighty; that was intended for a feast, he must not expect it to be his daily bread. But,

1. We are here told how cheerfully he proceeded in his journey, after the sweet communion he had with God at Bethel: Then Jacob lifted up his feet; so the margin reads it, v. 1. Then he went on with cheerfulness and alacrity, not burthened with his cares, nor cramped with his fears, being assured of God's gracious presence with him. Note, After the visions we have had of God, and the vows we have made to him in solemn ordinances, we should run the way of his commandments with enlarged hearts, Heb. 12. 1.

2. How happily he arrived at his journey's end; Providence brought him to the very field where his uncle's flocks were to be watered, and there he met with Rachel that was to be his wife. Observe, (1.) The Divine Providence is to be acknowledged in all the little circumstances which concur to make a journey, or other undertaking, comfortable and successful. If, when we are at a loss, we meet seasonably with those that can direct us; if we meet with a disaster, and those are at hand, that will help us; we must not say that it was by chance, or that fortune therein favoured its, but that it was by Providence, and that God therein favoured us. Our ways are ways of pleasantness, if we continually acknowledge God in them. (2.) Those that have flocks must look well to them, and be diligent to know their state, Prov, 27. 23. What is here said of the constant care of the shepherds concerning their sheep, (v. 2, 3, 7, 8.) may serve to illustrate the tender concern which our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheeep, has for his flock, the church; for he is the good Shepherd, that knows his sheep, and is known of them, John 10. 14. The stone at the well's mouth, which is so often mentioned here, was either to secure their property in it; for water was scarce, it was not there usus communis aquarum—for every one's use; or, it was to save the well from receiving damage from the heat of the sun, or from any spiteful hand, or to prevent the lambs of the flock from being drowned in it. (3.) Separate interests should not take us from joint and mutual help; when all the shepherds came together with their flocks, then like loving neighbours at watering time, they watered their flocks together. (4.) It becomes us to speak civilly and respectfully to strangers. Though Jacob was no courtier, but a plain man dwelling in tents, and a stranger to compliment, yet he addresses himself very obligingly to the people he met with, and calls them his brethren, v. 4. The law of kindness in the tongue has a commanding power, Prov. 31. 26. Some think he calls them brethren, because they were of the same trade, shepherds like him. Though he was now upon his preferment, he was not ashamed of his occupation. (5.) Those that show respect, have usually, respect showed them. As Jacob was civil to these strangers, so he found them civil to him: When he undertook to teach them how to despatch their business, (v. 7. ) they did not bid him meddle with his own concerns, and let them alone; but though he was a stranger, they gave him the reason of their delay, v. 8. Those that are neighbourly and friendly, shall have neighbourly and friendly usage.

9. And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them. 10. And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother. 11. And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. 12. And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son : and she ran and told her father. 13. And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him; and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things. 14. And Laban said to him. Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

Here we see, 1. Rachel's humility and industry; she kept her father's sheep, (v. 9.) that is, she took care of them, having servants under her that were employed about them. Rachel's name signifies a sheep. Note, Honest useful labour is that which nobody needs be ashamed of, nor ought it to be a hindrance to any one's preferment. 2. Jacob's tenderness and affection; when he understood that this was his kinswoman, (probably, he had heard of her name before,) knowing what his errand was into that country, we may suppose it struck into his mind immediately that this must be his wife, he being already smitten with her ingenuous and comely face, though it was, probably, sun-burnt, and she was in the homely dress of a shepherdess: hence, he is attentive, and courteous, and peculiarly anxious to serve her, v. 10. Hence he addresses himself to her with tears of joy and kisses of affection, v. 11. She runs with all haste to tell her father; for she will by no means entertain her kinsman's