The Biblical Mystery of the Well - Awkward

The Biblical Mystery of the Well - Awkward
Finding Community and Truth

Matthew Vander Els of Founded in Truth Fellowship begins by inviting listeners who are searching for something bigger than themselves, a community founded on truth and love, and a place to worship God. He acknowledges that the community has been affected by illness and asks for prayers.

The Power of Awkwardness in the Bible

The central theme of this teaching is the power of awkwardness, as explored through various stories in the Bible. Vander Els explains that we often become desensitized to the truly uncomfortable aspects of these ancient stories. The series, titled "awkward," aims to rediscover the original impact of these moments on their ancient readers.

He provides examples of these cringe-worthy moments, such as Adam and Eve realizing their nakedness in Genesis 3, Judah's realization that he slept with his daughter-in-law Tamar instead of a temple prostitute, and David's confrontation about his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah. These awkward exposures of sin and iniquities reveal our true selves, often mirroring how the world perceives us.

Vander Els draws a parallel to the discomfort of hearing one's recorded voice or seeing oneself on camera for the first time, noting that this is because our self-perception often differs from how others see us. Similarly, when our hidden sins are brought into the open, we face an uncomfortable reality.

Judah and Tamar: An Awkward Revelation

The story of Judah and Tamar illustrates this point. Judah believed himself to be a righteous patriarch, but his actions revealed his neglect of the vulnerable, specifically his own daughter-in-law, a widow. Facing this awkward truth was necessary for Judah's growth and alignment with God's will.

The Soap Opera of Jacob's Life

Vander Els then turns to the story of Jacob, describing it as a complicated "soap opera." He highlights the familial favoritism shown by Jacob's parents and Jacob's own favoritism between his wives, Leah and Rachel. Despite this, God does not show favoritism based on birth order.

The narrative focuses on Jacob's meeting with Rachel at a well. This encounter seems to begin a love story akin to "The Notebook," but a significant twist occurs. Jacob works for seven years to marry Rachel, and the Bible notes that these years felt like a few days because of his love for her (Genesis 29:20). This detail, Vander Els points out, reveals the hand of the biblical author emphasizing Jacob's love.

The Wedding Deception: Leah and Jacob

After seven years, Laban, Rachel's father and Jacob's uncle, hosts a grand feast for the wedding. However, in a shocking turn of events, Laban substitutes Leah, Rachel's older sister, for Rachel on the wedding night (Genesis 29:23). Jacob unknowingly marries Leah, leading to the awkward and dramatic realization the next morning.

Culturally, marriage at that time was primarily for childbearing, not necessarily for love. Jacob's desire to marry Rachel for love was somewhat unconventional for the era. Laban's perspective was likely that the older daughter, Leah, should be married first.

The Consequences and God's Control

Through no fault of their own, both Rachel and Leah find themselves in a difficult situation. Jacob ends up with two wives, and divorce was not a simple option in that culture, especially for Leah, as she would no longer be considered a virgin. Jacob favored Rachel, the one he loved, leaving Leah feeling unloved, lonely, and forgotten.

The scripture states that God heard Leah's cries and allowed her to have children (Genesis 29:31). While Jacob continued to favor Rachel, Leah found favor with God, who hears the cries of the broken. Rachel later became jealous of Leah's ability to conceive, adding to the complexity of the story. Despite the awkwardness and pain, God was still in control, paving the way for the dynasty of Jacob, who became Israel.

The Significance of Meeting at a Well

Vander Els highlights a recurring motif in the Bible: significant encounters, often leading to marriage or important relationships, taking place at a well. This pattern is seen in the stories of Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 24), Jacob and Rachel, and Moses and Zipporah (Exodus 2). Each of these stories involves a journey, a woman at a well, the drawing of water, news of a visitor being shared, hospitality, and a joining together.

This motif is not coincidental; it is an intentional pattern emphasizing a divine theme within the biblical narrative.

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman: A New Well Encounter

The pattern continues in the New Testament with Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well (John 4). This story also includes a journey, a woman at the well (identified specifically as Jacob's well), and the drawing of water. However, there's a twist: Jesus offers her "living water" instead of well water, connecting this to the life and vitality of heaven found in Him.

While the other well stories typically lead to marriage announcements, this encounter leads to something different: a unification of disparate peoples. Jesus claims that a time is coming when Samaritans and Jews will worship God together in spirit and in truth, transcending their religious and historical divisions (John 4:21). This unity can be seen as a metaphorical marriage bond.

The Samaritan woman, initially hesitant due to the social barriers between Jews and Samaritans, eventually recognizes Jesus as the Messiah (John 4:26). She becomes the first person to whom Jesus explicitly reveals this identity in John's Gospel, and she goes on to evangelize to her own community. Many Samaritans believed in Jesus because of her testimony (John 4).

God's Purpose in Awkwardness

Vander Els emphasizes that God often implements His love and plan in awkward and uncertain situations. The complicated situation of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah ultimately led to the formation of the nation of Israel. Leah's pain and affliction were acknowledged by God, who heard her cries (Genesis 29:32). Even in her position as the less favored wife, she found favor with God.

The Samaritan woman, an overlooked individual, received a pivotal revelation and became the first to share the message of hope in her community. This highlights that God often works through unexpected people and circumstances.

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Resources Mentioned

• The Bible by Jesus Christ

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