(Genesis) Genesis 29:6-10
Jacob's tendency to make his own rules and disregard traditional norms is introduced, setting the stage for a lesson he will learn from Uncle Laban.
In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Jacob arriving in a new land and encountering his cousin Rachel. Jacob immediately takes charge and instructs the shepherds on how to water their sheep. Rachel, who is responsible for tending the sheep, arrives and Jacob helps her by rolling the stone from the well's mouth to water the flock. The speaker highlights Jacob's independent nature and his tendency to make his own rules. However, the speaker also emphasizes that Jacob has a lot to learn, and his uncle Laban will play a significant role in teaching him important lessons.
Full Transcript
Verse 6, And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He's well. And behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep. And he said, Lo, it's yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together.
Water ye the sheep, and go and feed them. Here Jacob has just arrived in the land and he's telling them already how to water their sheep, how they should do. This is typical of him, by the way.
And they said, We cannot until all the flocks be gathered together, until they roll the stone from the well's mouth, then we water the sheep. And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she kept them. Now, this is a woman's work, by the way, in that day.
She was the shepherdess that took care of the sheep. 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. And frankly, I don't know who told him to do it, but he did it.
Whether this was time, I don't know. I doubt whether it was. But after all, Jacob is not really following any one's law except his own.
He made the rules for the game as he went through life. That is the first part of his life. But he's got a tremendous lesson that he's going to have to learn, and Uncle Laban is really the one to teach him.
Sermon Outline
- Introduction to Jacob's Character
- Jacob's Encounter with Rachel and the Sheep
- Implications of Jacob's Actions
- Disregard for traditional norms
- Potential consequences of his actions
Key Quotes
“He made the rules for the game as he went through life.” — J. Vernon McGee
“Whether this was time, I don't know. I doubt whether it was.” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- We should strive to follow the rules and traditions that have been established, rather than making our own.
- Our actions have consequences, and we should consider how they may affect others.
- We can learn valuable lessons from the experiences of others, including those who may have made mistakes.