Genesis 29:1 -14

“That’s just like a man.” If you’re a man, you have probably heard it. If you’re a woman, you have probably said it. There are some traits that enough men have in common that those traits become synonymous with men. When you see one of those traits exhibit, you recognize that the man is exhibiting a man-like trait.

Although the Bible’s primary purpose is to teach us about God, righteousness and righteous living, it can also act as a mirror to the human condition. Verses 29:1-14 may contain theological truth that I’m overlooking, but what jumps out at me is Jacob acting just like a man.

The sheep of the different flocks are all watered from the same well. The well is covered with a large stone that requires the shepherds to work in union to move it. This ensures that no one flock takes more than its share of the water. When Jacob sees Rachel he is impressed, and he wants to impress. He rolls the well stone away by himself. This was impressive. He is showing off. He is calling attention to himself. His actions cried out, “Look at me. See me.” He is acting just like a man.

In the world we live in today, some are confused about gender identity. In spite of that confusion, men still act just like men most of the time. That’s OK, God created men to be men. However, I do not believe God created men to remain just men. I believe God intends that men might become godly men. I believe it is wonderful when a man lives his life in such a way that people say, “That is just like a godly man.”