A Heart of Vigor

Jacob continued his journey and went to the eastern country. He looked and saw a well in the field. Three flocks of sheep were lying there beside it because the sheep were watered from the well. A large stone covered the opening of the well. When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone from the opening of the well and water the sheep. The stone was then placed back on the well's opening.

Jacob asked the men at the well, "My brothers! Where are you from?"

Do you know Laban grandson of Nahor?" Jacob asked them?

They answered, " We know him."

"Is he well?" Jacob asked.

"Yes," they replied, "and here is his daughter Rachel, coming with his sheep."

Then Jacob said, "Look, it is still broad daylight. It is not time for animals to be gathered. Water the flock, then go out and let them graze."

But they replied, "We can't until all the sheep are gathered and the stone is rolled from the well's opening. Then we will water the sheep."

While he was still speaking to them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess. As soon as Jacob saw his uncle Laban's daughter Rachel with his sheep, he went up and rolled the stone from the opening and watered his uncle Laban's sheep. Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept loudly. He told Rachel that he was her father's relative, Rebekah's son. She ran and told her father. Genesis 29:1-12

Jacob has not been given the skill of a shepherd before. We were told he was quiet and stayed at home. Yet here he challenges the shepherds with logic. He goes on to be a very good shepherd for his uncle Laban, perhaps there was an attraction in the shepherdess Rachel.

Rachel is the first shepherdess, or the first mentioned in the bible. This was a skill usually given to men. What does this tell us about Rachel? She had spunk! She was not a sit at home chick. This was attractive to Jacob.

Jacob, single handed, rolled away the large stone to water his uncle's sheep. He was no weakling. He showed initiative and was not slack, as appears the other shepherds. 

In life vigor in the task at hand is much better than a lazy attitude. I see the lack of vigor a lot. People are too easily disposed to let things slide. Yet when I see vigor I respect it and give it room.

As Christians we have an accountability to our Lord who is not slack. Vigor, initiative, giving all is a kingdom principle. Words like: Go! Do! Make! Are words of vigor. Let's be people of action not words. Amen!