LIFE SCRIPTS

1 Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples. 2 There he saw a well in the open country, with three flocks of sheep lying near it because the flocks were watered from that well. The stone over the mouth of the well was large. 3 When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well’s mouth and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well. 4 Jacob asked the shepherds, “My brothers, where are you from?” “We’re from Harran,” they replied. 5 He said to them, “Do you know Laban, Nahor’s grandson?” “Yes, we know him,” they answered. 6 Then Jacob asked them, “Is he well?” “Yes, he is,” they said, “and here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep.” 7 “Look,” he said, “the sun is still high; it is not time for the flocks to be gathered. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture.” 8 “We can’t,” they replied, “until all the flocks are gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep.” 9 While he was still talking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherd. 10 When Jacob saw Rachel daughter of his uncle Laban, and Laban’s sheep, he went over and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle’s sheep. 11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel and began to weep aloud.
Genesis 29:1‭-‬11 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/gen.29.1-11.NIV.

Jacob’s well story slightly resembles the story of Abraham’s servant, Eliezer when he was on a mission to search for a wife for Isaac. As Jacob approached the well, numerous sheep were lying nearby. From verse 7, it seemed as if it was still around midday. In the culture of pastoralists, the flocks fed during the day and drank water in the evening even as women fetched water. However, in this case, the flocks seemed to be gathered earlier than usual. Even by the confession of the shepherds they were to wait until all sheep arrive before rolling away the stone. So Jacob took the initiative and approached the shepherds inquiring about the welfare of Laban and his household. The men even pointed him to Rachel, Laban’s daughter as she approached the well with her sheep. Scripture says that when Jacob beheld Rachel, he rose and rolled the stone from the mouth of the well for the flock. Scripture is silent about Jacob’s motives but we can infer from it that he seemed to have been struck by love at first sight. It may have seemed coincidental but in real sense, God was in the picture. God was active in the life of Jacob. This seemingly ordinary event would shape the destiny of Jacob , the people of Israel and ultimately humanity. Jacob’s genuine love for Rachel would lead him to suffer for her sake. He would toil in more ways than one in order to win her. Yet it all began with just the first look, the first glance, the first contact and the rest followed in sequence. However, it’s important to note that God guides us in our steps. The place of prayer is key. Before Jacob left for Padan Aram, Isaac prayed for him to find a wife. It’s no coincidence that the first woman he set eyes on was his future wife, Rachel,who came from the desired household. Our prayers are indeed not in vain. Infact, as long as we pray in line with God’s will and walk in obedience to Him, He’ll guide us on our paths towards the right direction.