Genesis 29: 1-14


Engaging with Strangers

As in most families and communities the wheel goes round, leaving you at times with the feeling that you have seen it all before. Closer inspection, however, suggests it is often only the same but with a difference. The kiss (v 11) seems to be more a formality than love at first sight, finding a wife was never the purpose of his visit and the tears may be not so much tears of joy as tears of relief at finding himself among kith and kin. The world may still be strange and unsettling but he now has a familiar peg to hang his hat on.

Jacob, however, is the same Jacob, with a streak of Rebekah which he has brought from the old world — call it arrogance, thoughtlessness, grasping, or simply a total disregard for the needs and feelings of others. The significance of removing the stone is not clear. Maybe an old cultural courtesy required them to wait until all were present; maybe it was a custom to avoid unfair access to a limited resource. Jacob seems neither to know nor to care.

Such behaviour in a newcomer inevitably raises questions. How would the locals see it, and see him? Who was this man? Did he have any understanding of what he was doing? What was he starting in a world of which he knew nothing, and what might be the consequences?

And what did he think he was doing? Was he trying to impress this relative who moments before he had never set eyes on? Is it a move  to grab the limelight, or is he just impetuous? Whatever, he comes out as something of a hero. He can do things others cannot do. He knows a new and better way. He may not suggest they should do the same but he certainly thoughtlessly undermines the way they have lived and organised their lives hitherto.

Laban is truly warm in his welcome. With Jacob he has a special relationship different from his relationship with those immediately around him. It is the beginning of a new and different chapter. Only later will Laban discover whom he has taken into his confidence. Watch this space for the consequences.

© Alec Gilmore 2014