Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The Promise of the LORD to Jacob

a. He will be with Jacob

b. He will keep His word given Genesis 28:13-15

2. Persevering on

a. To find the family of Laban

b. To trust the LORD and His word of promise

AT A WELL

1. A well in a field

2. Three Flocks of sheep were at the Well

a. They were waiting at the Well

b. A stone was over the mouth of the Well Genesis 29:2-3

i) It would be rolled away for drawing water

ii) It would be rolled back after the flocks have been watered

MAKING CONVERSATION I

1. Jacob’s initiative

a. He is friendly

“My brethren” Genesis 29:4a

b. Basic question

“Where are you from?’ Genesis 29:4b

2. The Response of the shepherds

“We are from Haran” Genesis 29:4c

3. Further conversation

a. “Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?” Genesis 29:5a

b. “We know him” Genesis 29:5b

c. “Is he well?” Genesis 29:6a

d. “He is well” Genesis 29:6b

e. “And look, his daughter Rachel
is coming with the sheep” Genesis 29:6c

4. Pause!

a. Was the LORD there?

b. Was all this part of His promise to lead and bless?

MAKING CONVERSATION II

1. Watering the sheep

a) Jacob makes a suggestion to the shepherds

b) It was still early (high day) Genesis 29:7a

c) Suggestion given

i) Water the sheep

ii) Feed them Genesis 29:7b

2. The Response of the shepherds

a) They cannot do what Jacob suggested

b) They must wait till all the flocks have gathered

c) Then they will roll the stone away

d) They can then water the flocks

3. What this reflects

a) They were not very industrious

b) They were not prepared to roll the stone away on their own

c) They would rather wait

d) This was their way of doing things

RACHEL DRAWS NEARER

1. She would be leading the fourth flock Genesis 29:10a

2. She would have to queue up

JACOB’S INITIATIVE AGAIN

1. He rolled the stone away on his own Genesis 29:10b

2. He watered Rachel’s flock Genesis 29:10c

PAUSE

1. Why did Jacob do that?

2. Some possible reasons:

a) A new Jacob was emerging

b) He was trying to help Rachel

c) He may have been trying to impress her

d) He was different from the Haran shepherds in more ways than one

JACOB’S GREETING OF RACHEL

1. Jacob kissed her Genesis 29:11

a) Customary

b) Kinship

c) Not sexual

2. Jacob was moved with deep emotions

a) The LORD’s presence may have been felt

b) His promises were still fresh and strong

c) Things were turning out so well

3. Jacob identified himself

a) He was a relative Genesis 29:12a

b) He was Rebekah’s son Genesis 29:12b

RACHEL RUNS TO INFORM HER FATHER

1. She ran to inform her father Genesis 29:12c

2. Laban ran to meet Jacob Genesis 29:13a

a) He embraced Jacob

b) He kissed him

c)He brought him to his home Genesis 29:13b

3. Jacob stayed with the family for a month Genesis 29:14

CONCLUSION

1. God’s Promises

a) Given

b) Honoured

2. Our Part

a) Do we believe?

b) Can we apply our Faith?