Genesis 29

Genesis 29:1-4

This chapter gives us an account of God’s providences concerning Jacob, pursuant to the premises made him in the foregoing chapter. 1. How he was brought in safety to his journey’s end, and directed to his relations there, who had him welcome, ver. 1—14. 2. How he was comfortably disposed of in marriage, ver. 25—30. 3. How his family was built up in the birth of four sons, ver. 31, ad finem.

Heb. Lib. 1. up his feet. note, 7. Children. Is there point to Him?

THEN 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 he, 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 do 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.

With renewed strength, after such a wife from God, Jacob proceeds on his journey, and arrives safe at Haran. We have here, his meeting and conversation with some shepherds at a well, to which providence had directed him; his friendly enquiries after Laban, and his advice to them concerning their business. Note, It is kind to assist others with our best advice, though unaffred.

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 sisters 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.’

&c. 1. Or my couch is good.

1. AND Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you ‘in the last days. 2. Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father. 3. ¶ Reuben, thou art ‘my first-born, my might, and ’the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power. 4. Unitable as water, ’ thou shalt not excel, because thou ‘wenteth up to thy father’s bed, then defiledit thou it; he went up to my couch.

The dying patriarch assembles his sons, to inform them concerning their posterity. They come at his command, and he enjoins them solemn attention, as to matters in which they were highly intereled. Now, (1.) The words of dying parents should deeply affect their children, and be long remembered by them. (2.) Tho’ we cannot prophesy with Jacob: we can from God’s word, admonish men of what will be the final issue of their conduct in this world. They who do good, shall go into life everlasting; and they who do evil, into everlasting fire. Reuben, as first-born, is called; his birthright, his excellence, and superiority, are mentioned, but he is solemnly degraded into the lowest place: no judge, prince, or prophet springs from that tribe: his crime is remembered to his confusion, and his unifiable temper marked with indelible reproach. Now, Though fin may be forgiven of God, good acts of lewdness leave a brand that is never forgotten among men.

Genesis 29:9-14

We have here the first interview between Rachel and Jacob, and an affectionate interview it was. It began that connexion which was afterwards so centered: he kissed her, and wept for joy; whilst she, as pleased to welcome her relation, of whose good qualities by report probably she had heard, runs to her father Laban, and he with great kindness comes and invites him to his house. Note, (1.) There is often great impression made at the first interview between those whom God designs for each other. (2.) Our relations have a title to our kindness; they are unnatural indeed, that in their distress refuse them their assistance.

15. ¶ And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldst thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be? 16. And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17. Leah was tender-eyed, but Rachel was beautiful and well-favoured. 18. And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. 19. And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. 20. And Jacob ‘served seven years for Rachel: and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

15—20. Jacob now enters heartily into Laban’s service, and Laban, in return, desires to know the wages he should give him. Note, The labourer is worthy of his hire. On this, we have,

1. The bargain made. Rachel’s beauty he was not insensible to, and now had time to know her full greater amuishness: this shall be the wages of his seven years service, Laban contents, and Jacob enters on his work.

2. The fulfilment of it, and with pleasure too. Though the time was long, and the service hard, yet love made the labour light; and if Rachel was his companion too, how agreeably must these hours steal away. Note, (1.) Virtuous love brings its own reward with it. (2.) Nothing is irksome whilst those we love are with us, or that is done for them. (3.) If for a mortal love we can be delighted even with this, how little should we count every burden which brings us to the enjoyment of the perfection of beauty, in the eternal union of our souls to God.

3. ¶ And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife (for my days are fulfilled) that I may go in unto her. 22. And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. 23. And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him: and he went in unto her. 24. And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah, Zilpah his maid, for an

hand- Before Chill 1913. Heb. Yet the day is gent. Heb. Him. ng.