We see the sovereign timing of God as Jacob meets Rachel. Jacob’s mother, Rebekah, had sent Jacob away from his angry brother on the pretense of finding a wife. Jacob was going back to Rebekah’s family. Years before, Abraham had sent a servant to find a wife for Isaac, and the servant brought back Rebekah for Isaac.
Two Similar Searches for a Wife
Abraham’s servant had prayed for specific signs to find the right wife for Isaac. Rebekah unknowingly fulfilled each of these requests. Scripture does not record that Jacob prayed in his search for a wife. Yet, God was working in each case.
Both times the future wife was at a well. Rebekah drew water for Abraham’s servant while Jacob opened the well so Rachel could water her flock. Water was essential in the arid land and considered a blessing from God.
Rebekah’s brother Laban was involved in both meetings. In Rebekah’s case, Laban came out to the well to greet Abraham’s servant and invite him to their home. In Rachel’s case, Jacob knew she was Laban’s daughter, so Jacob helped her. Then Rachel ran home to tell her father. Again, Laban hurries out to the well, although this may not have been the same well.
God Works to Fulfill His Plans
God worked in both the case of Rebekah and Rachel. These two ladies married into the promises of God’s covenant. Scripture tells us that God continued to work in His sovereign timing. Isaiah predicted the coming of the Messiah.
Isaiah 60: 8 This is what the Lord says: “At just the right time, I will respond to you. On the day of salvation, I will help you. I will protect you and give you to the people as my covenant with them. Through you, I will reestablish the land of Israel and assign it to its own people again. 9 I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.’ They will be my sheep, grazing in green pastures and on hills that were previously bare.[1]
Jesus did come in God’s time to restore humanity. Romans 5: 6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. [2] We may wonder at the timing, but God knows more than we do. And we can trust that God is good and cares for us.
2 Peter 3: 8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent. [3]
To hear more about the sovereign timing of God, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/impact-of-parents
[1-3] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.