STONES OF IMPORTANCE

Genesis 28:10-29:14
Bob Bonner
December 10, 2006

I don’t know what it is with human beings and stones, but we have always used stones of some sort to remind us of things important to us. For instance: Some people so fear death stealing them from the memory of others that they build elaborate stone mausoleums for their remains, some of which remind me of small fortresses. However, by the time the second generation passes, few of us can ever remember much more than our great-grandparents’ name. If they have a grave somewhere, most don’t know where it is, let alone go there to visit it. Yet, somehow, we memorialize our dead in stone, because they are important to us.

Others of us carve our names or even promises we have made into wet cement by way of reminder. I remember the day the concrete contractors came to pour cement for our driveway. When they finished, Becky and I gathered the kids together. Everyone signed their initials; we drew a cross and added this Biblical reference. Joshua 24:15, which in part says, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” We finished the private ceremony, thanking God for our home, rededicating our lives and this home to His service.

The Bible is filled with many different occasions when stones played an important role in peoples’ lives. This morning, as we continue our study in Genesis, and in particular, the study of Jacob, we want to look at two stones that played a significant role in this young patriarch’s life. The first is found in the latter half of Genesis 28, and the second is found in the first half of Genesis 29.

In Genesis 28:10-22, which we looked at last time, Jacob raised up a “stone of remembrance.” We didn’t really take the time, last time to look at why that which took place in those verses was so important to Jacob, that he set up a memorial to the event. In fact, I deliberately skipped looking at verse 15 altogether so that we could begin with it this morning.

For those who need a reminder of what we have covered so far, Jacob has just fled from his home in Beersheba because his angry older twin brother, Esau, wants to kill him. Jacob had deceptively stolen their father’s blessing, which gave Jacob the authority to rule over the rest of the family, when really, that right and responsibility traditionally should have belonged to Esau. So Esau, enraged, is looking for his brother to kill him.

While fleeing for his life, Jacob has headed north for his mother’s family that lives in Aram, near the city of Haran. Jacob makes his first stop about fifty miles north of Beersheba in a city known for its cultic worship, called Luz. Exhausted after the hard days running from his brother, alone, fearful of his future, and already missing his mother, he lays down to sleep. While sleeping, he has this dream, in which he meets the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ, standing at the top of a staircase that stretches from heaven to earth. During this dream, God promises Jacob four things. We read about God’s promise in verse 15. God says to Jacob, “And behold, I am with you, and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

God’s first promise to Jacob is, “Behold I am with you...” promising Jacob that God’s divine presence will be with him everywhere he goes. For the rest of his life, there will be no place that Jacob will go that God hasn’t already been there, beaten him to the spot or won’t be present with him. To this man who finds himself all alone, away from home for the first time in his life and is afraid and with nothing to sustain his life, this is a greatly comforting promise. There is nothing like knowing that the almighty God has taken a special interest in you, and has promised to be with you wherever you are.

Next, God promises Jacob, “..and will keep you wherever you go,...” Literally, God is promising Jacob that he will guard him and watch over him. No one will be able to bring harm or do unjust things to Jacob, without God’s permission. Furthermore, even if that happens, God still has it as part of His better plan for Jacob. This is God’s promise of divine protection

Third, we read of God’s divine preservation. He promises Jacob, “...and I will bring you back to this land;...” “Jacob, you are not going to be permanently banished from the land of your youth. You will return home one day. You will not die, living off in obscurity.” In other words, God is not just going to be there with Jacob, and be a “do nothing” God. No, “El Elyon,” the strongest of the strong, the almighty God will protect him and will so provide for all of his needs, that one day, he will return to his homeland, as the prophesied patriarch and ruler of the family.

Finally, God promises him, “...for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Keep in mind that God’s promises to Jacob reach far beyond Jacob’s life span. This last promise of God includes verses 13-14, which concern God’s promises to multiply Jacob’s descendants and that they will become the permanent owners to the land of Israel. Hence, there is no question that while Jacob is alive God will ever leave him, because what God has promised Jacob will outlive Jacob. This is what I call God’s divine promise. It’s God’s guarantee to Jacob that he will never need to fear being abandoned or rejected. No matter where he moves or lives, God will be right there with him.

Between verses 13-14, where God reiterates the Abrahamic covenant and this fourfold promise in verse 15, God is clearly tagging Jacob as the spiritual leader, the one who is to pick up the patriarchal torch for the family. Jacob, who knows he of all people doesn’t deserve this, is so blown away by God’s commitment to him, that he takes this stone he had used as a pillow, and he sets it up as a stone of remembrance. He then, claims this cultic worship center, this city of Luz, as God’s home. He renames the city “Bethel” or “God’s house.”

This event, this dream, which Jacob memorializes with this stone, is what gives Jacob great confidence to move forward after such a great failure in deceiving and stealing his brother’s blessing. This was the day Jacob was born again, got saved. He was given a new life, with a new mission. Being saved is one thing...but being redeemed for a useful purpose, that’s another. Hence, this stone memorializes not only this dream, but the beginning of Jacob’s new romance, or love relationship with the living God.

Wow! What a difference 24 hours makes! He goes to bed worried about the future, lonely, fearful about the present, filled with shame, and has nothing. But then he wakes up after having met the living God. Now, he realizes that he is no longer alone. He is confident about his future. His shame has been removed through the forgiveness of God. He is ready to begin his new life with the Lord, only to learn, as we will see in the days ahead, that old habits sometimes die hard. But none-the-less, he is excited and ready to move forward.

And so we come to the next chapter, which reveals another important stone in Jacob’s life. I call it, “the Stone of Introduction.” This stone significantly marks a new season in Jacob’s life. This stone paves the way for Jacob to meet his true love, Rachel and to realize the fulfillment of God’s promises. This next chapter begins the next major section of Jacob’s life in Haran, which lasts for 20 years.

While the first stone, the stone of remembrance, marked the beginning of Jacob’s romance with God. This second stone marks the introduction of his romance with Rachel. However, whereas the first stone speaks of God’s strength, we will see that this second stone speaks of Jacob’s strength. Not just his physical strength, but his very weak and much-in-need-of-growth spiritual strength.

Genesis 29:1, introduces the next scene in this drama of Jacob’s life. We read, “Then Jacob went on his journey, and came to the land of the sons of the east.” “Then Jacob went on his journey...” literally translated reads “then Jacob picked up” or “lifted up his feet.” This unique expression means “to put into action” not just his original plans for this journey, but now added to the original plans are those four promises of God at Bethel that he has just experienced

Furthermore, the “lifting up of his feet” connotes that Jacob is now moving with a new bounce in his step, one filled with great hope and confidence that comes only from knowing the promise of the Lord’s presence, provision and protection over his life. No longer is Jacob concerned with his past fears of Esau trying to kill him. His future success has just been guaranteed by God.

By the time we come to verse 2, Jacob has traveled another 400 miles to Haran or about two weeks of walking, which is a lot of time to dream about and anticipate one’s future. When he finally arrives, we read in verse 2, “He looked, and saw a well in the field, and behold, three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it, for from that well they watered the flocks. Now the stone on the mouth of the well was large. When all the flocks were gathered there, they would then roll the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the mouth of the well.”

In these geographical areas, there were few stream beds or watering holes from which one could water their flocks. Typically, cisterns, or deep holes used to collect rain water, and sometimes wells, would be covered so as to prevent evaporation as well as to prevent people from accidentally falling in or dead animals and other things from dropping in and polluting a water source.

The opening to the cistern would be covered by a huge, thick flat stone that had a smaller opening in it. It would be through that smaller opening that with a leather bucket and rope, the shepherds would draw water from the cistern or well. That opening, in turn, would be covered by another heavy stone which would require two or three men to roll away. Hence, because most herdsmen needed help to roll away the stone, the people who used these watering holes typically were friendly toward one another, and thus only a select group of people could use them.

Coming up to these three herdsmen, “Jacob said to them, ‘My brothers, [a very broad term meaning everything from “relative” to “friend.” It was often used as a friendly greeting by a stranger to ingratiate himself with the locals.] where are you from?’ And they said, ‘We are from Haran.’ He said to them, ‘Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?’ And they said, ‘We know him.’ And he said to them, ‘Is it well with him?’ And they said, ‘It is well, and here is Rachel his daughter coming with the sheep.’ He said, “Behold, it is still high day; [or “the day is still long” meaning there is a lot more time left for the flocks to graze] it is not time for the livestock to be gathered. Water the sheep, and go, pasture them.’ But they said, ‘We cannot, until all the flocks are gathered, and they roll the stone from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.’”

As soon as Jacob realizes that a female relative who is single and available is driving her herd to this spot, he wants to be alone with her when she gets there, so as to speak with her. By the way, married women typically did not tend to flocks. They had other homebound duties. Therefore, these herdsman prove to be the proverbial fly in the ointment for Jacob and his plans. So, he suggests that they get up off their bums, remove the stone, water their sheep and take them out to pasture.

There is another possible implication to Jacob’s words aimed at these herdsmen. These could be, and most likely are, words of rebuke. There is no reason for these three herdsmen to have been sitting there doing nothing rather than having already moved the stone so as to water their sheep and get on to the business of pasturing their sheep. These men were lazy, and Jacob is implying that they are just hanging around to get a good look at Rachel, when they should be looking after the interest of their sheep. Their excuse about waiting for help to move the large capstone stone will shortly be shown to be bogus.

Rachel, on the other hand, these looking ahead has probably been here before and knows what to expect from men. But to her surprise, there is a gentleman in the crowd. We read, ^“While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, Jacob went up and rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother. Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted his voice and wept. And Jacob told Rachel that he was a relative of her father and that he was Rebekah’s son, and she ran and told her father.”

This is the Biblical rendition of “love at first sight.” Empowered by his immediate infatuation for the beautiful Rachel and wanting to impress her in the presence of these other bums, Jacob singlehandedly moves the stone that these other shepherds wouldn’t, thereby humiliating them and revealing their laziness and illicit purposes. Jacob, then, waters her flock, which probably took several hours of back-breaking work lowering a leather bucket into the water supply and filling up a stone water trough.

When finished, Jacob finally greets her with a kiss which in the East, is the customary way of welcoming family members. But then he does something that probably surprises her. He cries! Out of emotional joy, he cries for having successfully completed the first leg of his journey, and for not only having found Laban’s family, but Laban’s obviously available daughter! At that point, Jacob sits down to explain his action to Rachel, and lays out his story.

She, in turn, is spellbound. First, having witnessed his physical strength as well as his strength of character, she couldn’t wait to find out more about this man. He wasn’t like any of the local boys who had typically been flittering about this water hole.

When he is finished telling her his life story, and possibly including his night at Bethel, she is so excited about the obvious possibilities for her that she leaves her herd in his care and runs off to get her father.

According to verse 10, there is something in addition to “love” that is empowering Jacob’s life at this moment. In verse 10, three times Rachel’s father’s name, Laban, is mentioned. Jacob, undoubtedly, had heard many fond stories from his mother about her brother Laban. Hence, it was to Laban that Jacob would quite naturally look for help in finding a wife and also a means for livelihood, until such time as he could return home. Hence, moved by being so many days alone on the road, stricken by the “love bug” and filled with the hope of being reunited with family, Jacob is more than ready to trust his Uncle Laban, and thus, becomes an easy mark for being taken advantage of by his future father-in-law.

At this point, I want us to stop and recall a similar situation and compare the two. Think back to the time, in Genesis 24, when Abraham’s servant came back to this land to find a wife for Isaac. If you remember, Abraham’s servant asked Rebekah, a shepherdess, for a drink of water, which he could have retrieved for himself. Then he sat back and watched Rebekah water her flock and his camels for hours. Watering a flock from a cistern is a laborious job. But in this case, Jacob does all the work Rachel!!! He is sending her an incredible message.

Further, if you study the two accounts, right after Abraham’s servant identifies Rebekah as the possible bride for Isaac, this servant immediately praises and thanks God for His providential leading of Isaac to her. But in our present scene, there is no evidence whatsoever, that this patriarch, Jacob, ever stops to worship or praise God for His obviously leading Jacob to this well, this woman, and to his relatives. Instead of looking to God, as we will see in the next verses and section, Jacob prayerlessly looks to, or puts his trust in, his Uncle Laban...something he will soon regret.

Having reached home to tell her father, we read about Jacob and Laban’s first encounter. “So when Laban heard the news of Jacob his sister’s son, he ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house. Then he [Jacob] related to Laban all these things. Laban said to him, ‘Surely you are my bone and my flesh.’ And he stayed with him a month.’”

Earlier, when Abraham’s servant came looking for a wife for Jacob’s father, Isaac, Laban came running to meet the servant because Laban had heard that the servant had gold with him. Now Laban comes running to meet Jacob because he has heard from Rachel about Jacob’s impressive strength and work ethic.

Herdsman, typically, were not businessmen, interested in making a fast buck. Shepherds were laid back at best, flat out lazy at the worst. Never in a hurry, never to be rushed. Laban, on the other hand, was a businessman who had many herds and great wealth that required looking after. He knew from experience that trying to properly oversee such a portfolio required more than just one man’s talent. But the problem then as now, is finding good employees, men and women of character with a good work ethic.

Laban had other sons, but apparently not enough sons to care for all of his flocks. Hence, he had to use Rachel to watch some of them. Laban needed a sharp businessman, who had the experience managing numerous herds of animals, like Jacob to help him keep things in order. So, Laban, a self-serving individual, already has plans on using Jacob to his own benefit. That’s why he says, “Surely, you are my bone and my flesh” meaning, “Oh yes, you, my family member must indeed stay with me!”

Let’s stop for a moment to consider what God would have us learn from all of this.

First of all, “stones of remembrance” make a psychological as well as emotional difference in our lives. My wife possesses a stone of remembrance. It is the stone, the diamond I gave her the day I asked her to marry me. From that day til now, that stone has been a “standing stone of remembrance” marking her new life with me. It is a clear statement from me and for me, that as long as we both are alive, there has never been nor will there ever be another woman for me. It is also a reminder to me, during times of struggle in marriage, that I have made a commitment before God that He will hold me accountable to keep; and as I do, He will bless both of us.

As a Christian and as a pastor, I have realized that there is another “stone of remembrance” that may be more important to the Christian, especially during times of spiritual struggle and failure. It the possessing of a date when one has truly committed his or her life to Christ. For some, it is the day they prayed to ask Jesus Christ to become their savior and Lord. For others, it is the day they experienced believer’s water baptism.

My late, dear, sweet mother-in-law, lived several years without ever really knowing the date she was saved. There really was no question in my mind as to whether she was saved or not, because she had left a trail of spiritual fruit or impacting others for Christ behind her. However, for years she had not been taught much more about her faith other than how to get saved. She had not been taught that she had an enemy, Satan, who would constantly remind her of her past and present failures and sin, even though she had confessed those things to God. As a result, she kept doubting her salvation. She told me one time, “I just don’t see how I, a Christian, could do such a thing. How could I be saved and do that?” I explained to her several times that Christ died and paid for her sins past, present and future, but she still struggled with whether or not she was really saved.

One evening she and I were sitting around the kitchen table talking about the Lord and what a difference He has made in our lives. When suddenly, she went back to the troublesome subject of past and present sins. Then I had an idea. I said, “Mom, where’s your Bible?” She got her Bible and I opened up the Bible to Colossians 2:13-14. I then had her read these verses: “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” When she finished reading those verses, I asked her “According to those verses, what was nailed to the cross?” She said, “My sins.” “Which sins?” I asked further. She said, “All my sins.” I pressed her further, “Was that all your sins of the past but not the sins of the present or future?” And she said, “No. It says that once and for all they were nailed to the cross. There is only one nailing, not future ongoing nailings. So, it must mean all of my sins, past, present and future.” Then I asked her, “When were your sins nailed to the cross?” She responded, “When I trusted in Jesus to be my Savior and Lord.” And I told her, “Right! When was that?” She said, “I don’t know exactly when.”

At that moment, I wrote down the address, Colossians 2:13-14 in her Bible. Then I wrote the following words: “As of this date, I, Betty Nicholas, declare that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Lord. From this point forward I know that all of my sins have been forgiven, past present and future.” Then, I had her sign her name. That Bible and that marked date and explanation in her Bible was her “stone of remembrance.” From that point on, she still struggled with sin, as we all do; but she no longer doubted her salvation.

Do you have a “stone of remembrance” of your conversion? If not, I encourage you to make a “standing stone to mark your new life in Christ, so that you know that you know you are saved, and have been forgiven all. Also, I would encourage you to find someone to witness you making a stone of remembrance as to the date you were saved. If you would like to come forward this morning, to trust Christ as your Lord and Savior, or to make this day the stone of your remembrance of your salvation, I will invite you to come forward in a moment to do so. There will be someone up front to pray with you and even sign your Bible if you would like them to.

Second, I mentioned earlier that upon meeting Rebekah, Abraham’s servant Laban.praised God immediately and thanked Him for His providence. In turn, God protected Abraham’s servant from being used by Laban.

Jacob, on the other hand, didn’t bother to stop to remember what God had done for him or to humbly thank God for bringing him safely to Laban’s home, and to Rachel. Instead, Jacob took that day in stride. As a result, we will see that God allows Jacob to become trapped in service to Laban for twenty years. In fact, this prayerless patriarch doesn’t really begin the practice of worshiping God until chapter 32 when he returns to his homeland and has to face his vengeful brother Esau for the first time. That’s when he begins seeking out God. But in the meantime, he arrogantly carries on business as usual in his own strength and wisdom, never giving God any credit for what He had done for Jacob.

The point should be obvious. Wisdom dictates that humbly thanking God for all of His blessings in our lives leads to further prosperity. But when we live as ungrateful fools, God will withhold His potential blessings.

Ungratefulness to God, ungratefulness to parents, ungratefulness to the nice things children do, ungrateful employees and employers is the height of arrogance and self-centeredness. No wonder God stands hostilely against those who are proud, rather than coming quickly to their aid in times of trouble. But those who humble themselves before the Lord, He exalts or lifts up.

Taking the time to pause, and from your heart to say “Thank you God for this food,” is a good practice before meals. Taking time at night, before you go to sleep is a good time to praise God for His leading, His protection and His provision through the day. The more specific we can get as to what we have seen God do during our day, the better the praise. Typically, arrogantly and selfishly, when the end of the day comes, we complain that we didn’t get more or exactly what we want. We see some inconvenience as the end of the world, not realizing that things could have been worse. I’m terribly guilty of this and continually need to be reminded of Paul’s exhortation in Phil. 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”