Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Jacob set out on his journey and arrived in the land where Laban's relatives lived. As he looked around, he noticed a well in the middle of a field with three groups of sheep gathered nearby. The water from the well was drawing them to it, and a large stone covered its mouth.

The flocks would meet there every day, rolling away the stone to give the sheep a drink before returning it to its place. Jacob asked the shepherds, "Where are you folks from?" They replied, "We're from Haran." He said, "Do you know Laban, Nahor's son?" They answered, "Yes, we do."

He inquired about Laban's well-being, and they told him that Laban was doing well. Just then, Rachel emerged with the sheep, her father's property she took care of. It was still early, so Jacob suggested that they water the sheep and let them graze.

The shepherds explained that they couldn't do that yet since all the flocks needed to gather together first, and only then could they roll away the stone from the well's mouth. As Rachel arrived with her father's sheep, Jacob went over, rolled away the stone, and watered Laban's flock.

Jacob was drawn to Rachel, his mother's brother's daughter, and kissed her. Overwhelmed with emotion, he wept loudly. He told Rachel about his relationship to her and Laban, and she quickly ran off to inform her father.

When Laban heard the news that Jacob, his sister's son, had arrived, he hurried to meet him and warmly welcomed him with a kiss. He invited Jacob into his home, eager to hear about all that had happened during his journey. Laban declared, "You are my own flesh and blood," and they spent the next month together.

Laban asked Jacob, "Since we're family, why should you work for me without pay? What will be your wages?" He explained that he had two daughters: Leah was the elder, but Rachel was the younger. While Leah seemed to have a gentle disposition, Rachel was beautiful and attractive.

Jacob fell deeply in love with Rachel and proposed that he would serve Laban seven years in exchange for her hand in marriage. Laban agreed, seeing this as better than giving her to another man. Jacob worked diligently for seven years, and those days passed quickly because of his love for Rachel.

As the time came for Jacob to marry Rachel, he asked Laban to give him his daughter now that their agreement was complete. Laban organized a grand celebration and invited all the men in the area.

In the evening, Laban brought Leah to Jacob, and they got married. Later, Laban presented Leah with Zilpah as her personal servant. The next morning, Jacob discovered he had been deceived – he thought he was marrying Rachel, not Leah.

Laban explained that it wasn't their custom to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. He suggested that Jacob fulfill his week-long commitment to Leah and then marry Rachel after another seven years of service. Jacob agreed to this arrangement.

After fulfilling his obligation to Leah, Laban gave Jacob Rachel as his wife, along with Bilhah as her personal servant. Jacob loved Rachel even more than Leah and continued working for Laban for another seven years.

The Lord saw that Leah was being overlooked, so he opened her womb, but Rachel remained childless. Leah gave birth to a son named Reuben, saying, "The Lord has seen my suffering; now my husband will love me."

Leah conceived again and had another son, naming him Simeon because the Lord heard her plea that she was hated. She then bore a third son, Levi, saying, "Now at last, my husband will be mine since I've given birth to three sons." Finally, Leah gave birth to a fourth son named Judah, saying, "I'll praise the Lord," and from that point on, she ceased bearing children.