- Genesis 29:1-15 (ii) Continuing his journey, Ya‘akov came to the land of the people of the east. 2 As he looked, he saw a well in a field; and there were three flocks of sheep lying there next to it; because they watered the sheep from that well. The stone on the well’s mouth was large, 3 and only when all the flocks had gathered there would they roll the stone away from the opening of the well and water the sheep. Then they would put the stone back in its place on the well’s opening.4 Ya‘akov said to them, “My brothers, where are you from?” They answered, “We’re from Haran.” 5 He asked them, “Do you know Lavan the [grand]son of Nachor?” They said, “We do.” 6 He asked them, “Are things going well with him?” “Yes,” they answered, “and here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep.” 7 He said, “Look, there’s still plenty of daylight left; and it isn’t time to bring the animals home; so water the sheep; then go, and put them out to pasture.” 8 They answered, “We can’t, not until all the flocks have been gathered together, and they roll the stone away from the opening of the well. That’s when we water the sheep.”
9 While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, because she took care of them. 10 When Ya‘akov saw Rachel the daughter of Lavan his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Lavan his mother’s brother, Ya‘akov went up and rolled the stone away from the opening of the well and watered the flock of Lavan his mother’s brother. 11 Ya‘akov kissed Rachel and wept aloud. 12 Ya‘akov told Rachel that he was her father’s relative, and that he was Rivkah’s son; and she ran and told her father. 13 When Lavan heard the news of Ya‘akov his sister’s son, he ran to meet him, hugged him and kissed him, and brought him to his house. Ya‘akov told Lavan all that had happened. 14 Lavan said to him, “You are indeed my own flesh and blood.”
After Ya‘akov had stayed with him for a whole month, 15 Lavan said to him, “Why should you work for me for nothing, just because you are my relative? Tell me how much I should pay you.” (Complete Jewish Bible)
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“Well, that was lucky!” or “What a coincidence!” are phrases that we often hear or use, but do we believe things are a coincidence or moments orchestrated by a God who is involved in the everyday details of our lives? Jacob’s seemingly “chance” encounter with family members was a detail ordained by God.
While we were serving as missionaries in Madagascar, our daughter fell from a tree and broke both of her arms—one was horribly, visibly broken. It was a terrifying moment, but when we look back on that day, we see the hand of God in every detail. He cleared the normally traffic-jammed roads; we drove straight to the clinic. The doctors were there and took her immediately to surgery. Although everything was seemingly tiny, it was the supernatural hand of God.
Often we caution people not to over spiritualize things-don't look for Satan behind every bush. If we look for God in every moment of our lives, however, perhaps it will cause our gaze to move upward to glorify and thank him for our daily blessings and gifts that he gives.
Hymn for Today: "Open My Eyes, That I May See" by Clara H. Scott.
Verse 1
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp, and set me free.
Chorus 1
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
Verse 2
Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave-notes fall on my ear,
Ev’rything false will disappear.
Chorus 2
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
Open my ears, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
Verse 3
Open my mouth, and let me bear
Gladly the warm truth ev’rywhere;
Open my heart, and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.
Chorus 3
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
Open my heart, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
Thought for Today:I will bless Adonai at all times;his praise will always be in my mouth.
When I boast, it will be about Adonai;
the humble will hear of it and be glad.(Psalm 34:2).
Please pray: For faculty and students as they prepare for Christian ministry in Japan.
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