Jacob Meets Rachel

by Mary Vee

Genesis 29:1-12

Jacob roused his servants. "Let's go."

The servants rubbed their eyes. One moaned, "What's he doing? Last night he didn't want to go anywhere." Another groaned, "Why's he up so early?"

Jacob faced the men. "I must tell you, the Lord spoke to me last night. He promised He would bring me back here one day. I've got to get to Padan Aram where my mother grew up, find the girl who will be my wife and return to this land." He ran to his camel. "Are you coming?"

The servants eyes grew wide. The head servant scrambled to grab his supplies. The other servants followed his lead then ran to their camels. "Wait!"

They traveled all the way to the place Isaac told them to go quicker than an eagle flies. Well, maybe a little slower, but it seemed that fast to the servants.

When Jacob and his men arrived, he saw a well in the field. Three flocks of sheep were lying by it waiting to get their drink. A large stone covered the well to protect the water.

Jacob dismounted and said to the shepherds. "Hi! Where are you from?"

One shepherd answered, "We're from Haran."

Unbelievable! These men are from the city my grandfather, Abraham, came from. This is exciting.

Jacob stepped closer. "Um, do you know a man named Laban, the son of Nahor?"

The shepherd looked at the others and nodded. "Yeah, we know him."

Jacob smiled and stroked his beard. God has led me to the very well I needed to be at and helped me to be here at the exact time these shepherds came. Praise the God of Abraham and Isaac. "How is Laban? Is he well?"

The shepherd turned as if he heard a noise. He glanced back at the road. "The man named Laban is well. And look, his daughter Rachel is coming with their sheep."

Jacob laughed. "Really? She is Laban's daughter?"

The shepherd nodded and sat by the well.

Jacob rubbed his hands together. She won't be able to water her sheep if these other flocks are in the way. "Look, it is still high day. You should water your sheep and take them to the pasture to feed."

"We have to wait for all the flocks to get here. At that time the stone will be rolled away from the well."

As they finished their sentence Rachel arrived with the sheep. Jacob stared at her. Wow! She's beautiful. She has to be the one who will be my wife. "Hi. My name is Jacob. Here, let me help you water your flock."

Jacob rolled up his sleeves and grinned at the lazy shepherds. I'll show them. I don't need any help to move that heavy rock. He leaned over and pushed the stone away from the well then wiped the sweat off his forehead.

The shepherds called to their sheep and walked toward the well. Jacob held his hand up to them. "Just a minute. Her flock will be watered first."

While the flock drank, Jacob told Rachel who he was and where he traveled from. She danced around the sheep clapping her hands. "You're Isaac's son? Oh, this is wonderful news. Please stay with my sheep a moment. I must tell my father."

Jacob laughed while watching her run down the road.

Jacob saw God's care for him that day. Can you name all the things God did for him during this story? What has God done for you today?