SERIES B --- A CHOSEN PEOPLE -- LESSON 3 --- PART 1

RACHEL

AT THE WELL OF HARAN

From Genesis 29

From Bethel, Jacob continued his journey to the Land of the East, the land of Padan-aram. Beside a well in an open field, he saw three flocks of sheep waiting to be watered. It was the custom of the shepherds of that land to wait until all of them had gathered at the well with their flocks before rolling away the large stone and drawing water for the sheep. When the flocks were watered, the stone was rolled back to its place over the well. Hello! Jacob called to the shepherds who were waiting by the well. Where do you live? At Haran, they answered. Then you must know Laban, the son of Nahor. Of course. We know him well. Is everything well with him? Things are very well with him. By the way, here comes his daughter Rachel with their sheep. But why are you waiting here in the middle of the day? Why don’t you water your sheep so they can graze again? We don’t do it that way, the shepherds answered. We wait until all the shepherds have come with their sheep so they can help us roll the stone from the mouth of the well. Then we water our sheep. While Jacob was talking with the shepherds, Rachel came up with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess. When Jacob saw his cousin Rachel and his uncle Laban’s sheep, he rolled the stone from the well and watered Laban’s flocks. With tears in his eyes, Jacob kissed his cousin Rachel and told her how they were related, that his mother, Rebekah, was her aunt. Rachel ran immediately and told her father the news. When Laban heard about Jacob, he ran out to meet him, threw his arms around Jacob, and gave him a kiss. Laban invited Jacob back to his home, where Jacob told his uncle all about his trip. Well, here you are, said Laban, my own bone and flesh! Jacob stayed with Laban about a month. One day Laban approached Jacob about his work. Just because we are related, you shouldn’t work for me for nothing, he said. What kind of wages would you like? Your daughter Rachel, Jacob answered. I’ll work for you seven years if I can marry her. Now there were two daughters in Laban’s family. The older was Leah. She had beautiful eyes but little more than that. Her younger sister, Rachel, was beautiful in every way. Rachel was the one Jacob loved, so he offered to work for the right to marry her. I’d rather have her marry you than a stranger, said Laban. I accept your offer. For the next seven years Jacob served Laban so that he could marry Rachel. The time passed so quickly that the seven years seemed but a few days. I’ve completed my part of our bargain, Jacob told Laban one day. Let me marry Rachel now so that we may live together. Laban had a big feast and invited all of the men in that place to celebrate. Later that night, he presented the new bride to Jacob. She was veiled so Jacob could not recognize her. With the new bride, Laban also gave his maid Zilpah to be her maid. But when morning came, Jacob discovered that his new bride was not Rachel, but Leah. Immediately he went to find Laban. What have you done to me? Jacob demanded. Didn’t I work seven years for you to get Rachel? Why have you tricked me in this way? We have a custom here that the oldest sister must marry first, said Laban. Now finish your bridal week with Leah and then you can marry Rachel right away. However, you must promise to work for me another seven years. Jacob spent the rest of the week with Leah. Then he married Rachel. Laban gave Rachel his maid Bilhah to be her maid. Trees are scarce and lumber precious in the area near Haran. Most villagers build their homes out of sun-dried mud bricks just as their ancestors did before them. Sheep and goats graze together in the fields of Haran. Although the vegetation is sparse, the herds are free to wander over many miles of unbroken plain. While Jacob served Laban for another seven years, he lived with both Rachel and Leah, hut he loved Rachel more than Leah. YHVH felt sorry for Leah because Jacob did not love her and gave her a child, but Rachel had none. Leah named her new son Reuben, which meant Look! A Son! Since YHVH has looked upon my trouble, perhaps Jacob will love me more, she said. Later, Leah had another son and named him Simeon, which meant -- Heard. YHVH has heard how I am unloved, she said, so He has given me another son. Once more, Leah had a son. Surely Jacob will love me now, she said, For I have given him three sons. So, she named this boy Levi. Later, a fourth son was born to Leah. I will give praise to Adonai, she said, and she named the boy Judah, which meant Praise. Then, for a while, Leah had no more children.