Monday, August 04, 2003 (45)JACOB CONTINUED HIS JOURNEY. Having met the Lord in a very real manner and having had the promises of the Covenant revealed and certified as belonging to him, he went his way with a spring in his step. That is, according to the Hebrew idiom that is used here. The mention of the direction of his journey, coming into the land of the people of the east or the sunrising, is significant. Gen. 29:1 The Tabernacle and the Temple faced the east. The camp of Moses and Aaron was before the tabernacle on the east. Num. 3:38 The Lord Jesus is coming from the east. Mt. 24:27 The glory of the LORD which filled the house of the LORD entered into the house from the way of the east and through the eastern gate. Eze. 43:4-5Generally speaking, the east speaks of worship and the presence of the Lord.
A WELL IN THE FIELD. Wells were of importance both to the local people and also to those who had traveled a distance and were thirsty. They were meeting places where the latest news would be heard. In the case of Abraham’s relatives they were of great importance. Is was at a well that the Lord met with Hagar and Ishmael and promised that Ishmael would have a large progeny. Gen. 21:17-19 The servant of Abraham found a wife for Isaac at a well. Gen. 24:11-15 Now Jacob is to meet his future wife at a well. Gen. 29:2 Moses was to find his wife by an encounter at a well. Ex. 2:15-21 Jesus met the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well and offered her living waters. She is certainly a type of the forgiven who will be in the Bride of Christ, which includes us all. John 4:4 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Rom. 3:23 Jacob removed the stone and watered the sheep of Laban, which were led by Rachel. Gen. 29:10 Jesus made living waters available to the Samaritan woman. Waters which generate eternal life. John 4:10, 14
JACOB’S WAGES. He was willing to work seven years for beautiful Rachel (ewe) because of his love for her. However, Laban deceived him and gave him Leah (weary, from a root word meaning weak) to be his bride. Leah is a type of Israel which was much weariness to the Lord with its many backslidings and much disobedience. Rachel is a type of the church, the joy and delight of the Lord Jesus. His love for her was so great that he was willing to work another seven years for her. Gen. 29:27-29 Following the pattern of the barren woman Rachel is barren. Gen. 29:31 As was the unnamed wife of Manoah. Judges 13:2 Hannah, the wife of the double portion, is another of these who are barren. 1 Sam. 1:5 The prophecy of a change and great fruitfulness. Elisabeth was barren and like Sarah pass the age of childbearing. These are all types of the woman of Revelation twelve. The Lord altered the situation of each of them and they all were to bear sons who were to be used of the Lord. The Lord has a way of bypassing the natural and revealing His supernatural powers to bring forth that which is His will. He gives the barren woman a reason to be joyful. Ps. 113:9.