NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

TIME TO WATER THE SHEEP (GENESIS 29:1-10)

REFLECTION

Our reflection theme is ” Time to Water the Sheep.” Time to water the sheep means to give water to the sheep to drink. In the context of our reflection, time to water the sheep means showing affection to close relations or family. We shall reflect on the fact that Philo love is important in maintaining family unity and support.

Beloved in the Lord, Philo love means blood is thicker than water. In other words, family love is important in maintaining family unity and bond. Jacob had to run away from home to seek refuge from his uncle after he mischievously took the rightful blessings of Esau, his elder brother. Finally came across a group of shepherds who knew his uncle and directed him to Rachel, his cousin. We are told that upon seeing Rachel, who brought his father’s sheep to be watered, Jacob “…went over and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle’s sheep.” (Genesis 29:10) It is important to note that the stone cover was heavy. In Genesis 29:2-3 we are are informed that  “The stone over the mouth of the well was large. 3 When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well’s mouth and water the sheep. (Genesis 29:2-3) In other words, the stone was so large that there was an agreement among the shepherds that they would all gather within a specific time so that they could collectively roll away the heavy stone cover on the well to water the sheep. However, out of the joy of meeting his cousin, Jacob singularly rolled away the heavy stone to water the sheep of his uncle Laban. What a display of strength and affection for one’s kin or family member.

Beloved in the Lord, let us give a deeper meaning to today’s theme “Time to water the sheep” Both Rebecca and her sheep were vulnerable. It would take the help of other shepherds to roll away the heavy stone before Rebecca could water her sheep. Jacob’s presence represented hope and help. Jacob’s act of love or affection teaches us that we must be good to family members anywhere we find them. Jacob in essence is saying that it is within your power to help a family member do it. If you can take care of the poor and vulnerable who represent the sheep in your family do it. Since one good turn deserves another, when we read from Genesis 29: 12-14, we are told that after Jacob had watered his uncle’s sheep and had had an affectionate encounter with Rachel, “…she ran and told her father. 13 As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister’s son, he hurried to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his home, and there Jacob told him all these things. 14 Then Laban said to him, “You are my own flesh and blood.” (Genesis 29:12-14). Dear friend in Christ, Philo love or family love is God’s priceless gift to humanity. Let us learn to honour and love our flesh and blood because family provides a source of basic emotional and economic support in life. A person without a family is to be pitied, it is for this reason we must see the church as a family and love one another as a kindred.

In summary, we have discovered that Philo love is important in maintaining family unity and support. We must learn to water the vulnerable persons or sheep in our family, church and society. Shalom.

PRAYER

May the Lord bless us with good health and prosperity so that we can water the sheep (poor and vulnerable) in our family, church, and society. Amen.