A Meeting at the Well

After receiving God’s promise at Bethel, Jacob continued his journey toward his relatives’ home.

Days went by. At last, he came to a well where several sheep were resting.

A large stone covered the well. The shepherds were waiting to give their flocks a drink.

Jacob came closer.

“Where are you from?”

“From Haran,” they answered.

“Do you know Laban?”

“Yes. Look, here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep.”

Jacob looked down the path.

A young woman was coming with her father's flock. She was Rachel.

Jacob went to the well, moved the stone aside, and gave water to the sheep.

Then he told her who he was.

“I am Jacob, the son of Rebekah, your father's sister.”

Rachel was part of his family!

Jacob was so happy that he cried. After that long journey, he had finally found his relatives.

Rachel ran to tell her father the news.

Laban came out to welcome Jacob. He hugged him and invited him into his home.

Now Jacob had a place to rest.

He stayed there and began to help with the work.

There were sheep to care for and many things to do. Jacob took the flocks into the fields and made sure they had water.

After a month, Laban asked him:

“Jacob, what would you like to receive for your work?”

Laban had two daughters. The older one was Leah. The younger one was Rachel.

Jacob had fallen in love with Rachel and wanted to marry her.

So he said to his uncle:

“I will work for you for seven years so I can marry Rachel.”

Laban agreed.

The traveler who had arrived alone now had a place to stay and work to do. The meeting beside the well had opened a new part of his life.

Now Jacob would need to care for the flocks and keep his word patiently. Love is also shown in everyday tasks, when we help carefully and do what we promise.