[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. [11]
And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept. [12]
And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was
Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father. [13]
And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's
son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought
him to his house. And he told Laban all these things. [14]
And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode
with him the space of a month.
She kept her father's sheep - She took the care of them,
having servants under her that were employed about them when he understood
that this was his kinswoman (probably he had heard of her name before)
knowing what his errand was into that country, we may suppose it struck
into his mind immediately, that this must be his wife, as one already smitten
with an honest comely face (though it is likely, sun - burnt, and she in
the homely dress of a shepherdess) he is wonderfully officious, and ready
to serve her, ver. 10, and addresses himself to her with tears of joy,
and kisses of love, ver. 11, she runs with all haste to tell her father,
for she will by no means entertain her kinsman's address without her father's
knowledge and approbation, ver. 12. These mutual respects at their first
interview were good presages of their being a happy couple. Providence
made that which seemed contingent and fortuitous to give a speedy satisfaction
to Jacob's mind as soon as ever he came to the place he was bound for.
Abraham's servant, when he came upon a like errand, met with the like encouragement.
Thus God guides his people with his eye, Psalms 32:8. It is a groundless
conceit which some of theJewish writers have, that Jacob when he kissed
Rachel wept, because he had been set upon his journey by Eliphaz the eldest
son of Esau, at the command of his father, and robbed him of all his money
and jewels, which his mother had given him when she sent him away: it is
plain it was his passion for Rachel, and the surprise of this happy meeting
that drew these tears from his eyes. Laban, though none of the best humoured
men, bid him welcome, was satisfied in the account he gave of himself,
and of the reason of his coming in such poor circumstances. While we avoid
the extreme on the one hand of being foolishly credulous, we must take
heed of falling into the other extreme of being uncharitably jealous and
suspicious. Laban owned him for his kinsman, ver. 14.Thou art my bone and
my flesh. Note, Those are hard - hearted indeed that are unkind to their
relations, and that hide themselves from their own flesh, Isaiah 58:7.
[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? [16]
And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name
of the younger was Rachel. [17] Leah
was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured. [18]
And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel
thy younger daughter. [19] And Laban
said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her
to another man: abide with me.
Because thou art my brother - That is, kinsman. Should
thou therefore serve me for nought? - No, what reason for that? If Jacob
be so respectful as to give him his service without demanding any consideration
for it, yet Laban will not be so unjust as to take advantage either of
his necessity, or of his good nature. It appears by computation that Jacob
was now seventy years old when he bound himself apprentice for a wife;
probably Rachel was young and scarce marriageable when Jacob came first,
which made him the more willing to stay for her till his seven years were
expired.
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