Jacob’s Well

Genesis 29:1-14

[one_half] Here is one for fans of classic rock-and-roll! Do you remember Jimmy Page and Robert Plant? Of course you do! They were best known as Led Zeppelin. One of their best known songs was the eight minute and two second version of ‘Stairway to Heaven’ with Plant singing the a cappello solo at the end of the song. I know some of you will remember!!

Now, make the shift to the Book of Genesis (28:12) where Jacob has a dream of a stairway that reaches all the way to heaven. The Lord stood at the top of the stairs with a message that kept Jacob’s life on track. It was a restatement and refreshment of the covenant God had made with Abraham. In response to the dream, Jacob builds a marker of stone to remember the place and to affirm his commitment to God.

From that marking spot Jacob’s travels take him to a well. It would later be known simply as Jacob’s well. Generations later Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the same well. But on this original visit, Jacob was going to encounter a set of relationships that would ultimately lead him to the love of his life. [/one_half]

[one_half last=last] By today’s standards it was an unusual relationship that Jacob had with Rachel. But Jacob’s love for her caused him to overcome a series of unfortunate events. Ultimately Rachel was with Jacob the night he wrestled with God and came away with a limp and a new name. He was now known as Israel and his family would be a gift from God.

You may not have seen a stairway to heaven in a dream but we all know how important relationships are in our lives. That is especially true of unique loving relationships that give us the blessing of knowing and sharing love.

Perhaps you can take a symbolic drink from Jacob’s well today and give thanks for the relationships and promises God has placed in your life. [/one_half]