Midweek Message from the Archive
The Woman at Jacob’s Well- Part 2
God gave Jesus a specific assignment to go through Samaria (John 4). Why this particular region and this specific well? To look at this story from a heavenly perspective we have to retreat into the life of Jacob. First of all, this patriarch was chosen by God. This divine election was nothing new, Abraham was chosen from all the people on the planet, Isaac was chosen even though Ishmael was the firstborn, and similarly Jacob was chosen over Esau. This well where Jesus stopped was not just any random place, but a place of remembrance to those who knew Jacob’s story.
Jacob began his life in the womb as an unredeemed man. The name Jacob indicates that he was a deceiver, cheater, and used underhanded tactics to reach his goals. In the womb? Yes, everyone begins his life in the same way: totally depraved and needing a Savior.
The LORD spoke to their mother Rebekah with a warning and prophecy that the older son would serve the younger (Gen. 25:22-26): a picture of God’s sovereignty. As Jacob’s life progressed he showed himself as a sinner, but God continued to pursue him. Isn’t that true of us all? We’re all born spiritually dead, in sin, unable to pursue God, but Jesus continues His pursuit for us out of love.
At the end of this wonderful story of redemption we find Jacob visited by God through a physical encounter, dreams and visions, and angelic protection. Jacob’s Well isn’t about just any well: it’s about the God of Jacob‘s Well.
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! Psalms 20:1
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God. Psalms 146:5
Set forth your case, says the Lord; bring your proofs, says the King of Jacob. Isaiah 41:21
Then all flesh shall know that I am the Lord your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
Isaiah 49:26b
Jacob’s Well reminds us that God is an all-powerful King, our source of help, hope, and protection; He was just what this Samaritan woman needed. She was rejected by five men through divorce (women had no rights), the man she was with wouldn’t marry her, she was full of shame, and Jesus had to go to her … now. She didn’t go to the well with the other women in the cooler part of the day, she went at noon in the heat when no one else would be there: but God.
She wasn’t looking for a Savior; He was looking for her.
She wanted water; He wanted her.
Believer, you are chosen of God (Eph. 1:4), forgiven of your sin (Eph. 1:7), lavished with His grace (Eph. 1:8), and pursued by Jesus Christ. Let’s walk together with the God of Jacob, remembering His mercy to us when we don’t deserve it either.
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