WAITING ON WATER
Genesis 29:1 ¶ 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, 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 ? 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.
Genesis 29:9 ¶ 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.
Little does our pilgrim Jacob realize that his mother instructing him to “tarry a few days” with her brother Laban (Genesis 27:44), would turn out to be twenty years! For it was in her mind that the only motivating force for her son to “flee,” was the wrath of his brother Esau! – “until thy brother’s fury be turned away.” But that was not the motivation which kept our main character in this foreign land. It was not fleeing from wrath, as his mother suggested, but love for a bride as his father had instructed in Genesis 28:2. “take thee a wife from thence..” Genesis 31:41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times. Wrath does follow, but not precede the son’s journey! For as he leaves to start back home we read: Genesis 31:36 And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban:
And so it was with The Eternal Son’s journey into Incarnation and service! It was prompted by love. But be assured that it will be followed by wrath! John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
And after this encounter with Jacob, Laban disappears from the pages of God’s word! We would be very wise if we made sure that we realize that the gospel influencing our lives is but a brief encounter compared to the eternal results. Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Listen at the very Son of God warn us about this: John 7:33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. 34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. 12:35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
National Israel missed knowing him. And he told them with tears what had happened after it was too late. Luke 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. It is as the song writer said, “Sad, sad that bitter wail; almost, but lost!”
Laban looked for the physical and financial benefit from Jacob as did national Israel from the Lord Christ. He had seen the golden earrings, jewels of silver and gold, and the raiment that were revealed for his sister to go with Abraham’s servant and become Isaac’s wife. So we have that one little telling sentence in Genesis 29:13: And he told Laban all these things. That is, he explained to worldly Laban why he only had his staff (Genesis 32:10), when he crossed over the Jordan river to come to him. Therefore if there was not financial benefit, then Laban wanted a physical benefit. Jacob would then become his servant! Genesis 29:15 And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?
And as with Laban, and national Israel, so it is with the Harlot church today. The majority of religious practitioners could just as well work for a non-religious company, for they have no calling from the Lord, and therefore only serve for the money. Malachi 1:10 Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
If the money was cut off, so would be their ‘service’ to the Lord! John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
And like Jacob our Lord, though he was rich, became poor to come into this world. 2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. It was clearly stated by the apostles as they entered the temple, when confronted by the beggar at the gate Beautiful. Acts 3:6 Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And those who love money shall bring themselves to utter destruction! For the love of such is all evil’s root! 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Now the first thing we read, as listed in our verse two above, is that Jacob looked, and behold a well in the field and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; And the very first thing we read of the Incarnate Son’s entrance into the world is found in Hebrews 10:5. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: The Eternal Son, fresh from the presence of the Father, proclaims the absolute purity of the Trinity’s purpose regarding salvation. For as the shepherds were there with the gathered sheep at high day (that is at noon time, when the sun is directly overhead), but could not get to the water that was already there, so the Lord Jesus brought the highest degree of light to those Old Testament believers, then he provided them the water of the Holy Spirit!
Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Matthew 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 16:7 ¶ Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
The Old Testament believers, as it were, got saved on credit! For the price of redemption was not to be paid until our Heavenly Jacob arrived! Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing (that “better thing” was New Testament salvation!), for us, that they without us (or, ‘apart from us’), should not be made perfect.
1 Peter 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
These shepherds were awaiting the opening of the well for the water that was already there, so the ‘water’ of the Holy Spirit was already here. The very second verse of our bibles reveals this. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. It was just that the Holy Spirit did not fully reside within the hearts of every believer prior to an accomplished redemption as he does since Pentecost. John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
The Prophet Joel prophesied this, and the Apostle Peter confirmed it in the first gospel sermon on Pentecost. Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: See Acts 2:17.
And notice in verse ten of our text that the well of water was opened when Jacob, the servant-husband saw Rachel! It was the same with the Lord Christ as he gazed upon his Bride! Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
And we have his words describing this event! John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. 13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
John 7:37 ¶ In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
The Holy Spirit was, as it were, the Father’s wedding gift to the Bride as she is brought into union with the Son. Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 1 Corinthians 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3 …and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
And as Jacob’s name was changed to “Israel,” so he is a pattern for the church. They receive new names as they patiently suffer the afflictions and disappointments of the Christian life as well. Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
For the church was to be called Israelites. They were not named “Abraham-ites” for their faith. Nor were they called “Isaac-ites” for their sonship. But they were called Israelites for their endurance in the ordained afflictions. Hebrews 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Pastor Gene Breed
May 14, 2016
