Genesis 29:9-20

While they were still speaking, Rachel, the shepherdess, drew near to the well with her father’s sheep. As soon as Jacob took one good look at Rachel, the beautiful daughter of his uncle Laban, he quickly went over to the mouth of the well and single-handedly rolled away the stone and watered all the flock of his uncle Laban! Immediately, he walked up to Rachel and kissed her! Unable to hold back his tears, Jacob wept aloud. After he composed himself, he explained to Rachel, “I’m your father’s nephew, your aunt Rebekah’s son.” Upon hearing this, Rachel ran to tell her father. When Laban heard the news that his nephew Jacob had arrived at the well, he ran to greet him. Laban hugged and kissed Jacob and welcomed him into his home. After Jacob told him the story of all that happened, Laban said to him, “Certainly, you are my own flesh and blood!” Jacob stayed with him for an entire month and worked for him. Afterward, Laban said to Jacob, “Just because you’re my relative doesn’t mean I expect you to work for nothing. Tell me, what do you want your wages to be?” (Now, Laban had two daughters; the older was Leah, and the younger was Rachel. Rachel had a lovely figure and was gorgeous, but Leah’s eyes were weak. ) Jacob had fallen in love with Rachel, so he answered Laban, “I will serve you for seven years for the hand of your younger daughter, Rachel!” Laban replied, “I’d rather give her to you than to some other man. Stay and work for me.” So Jacob served Laban for seven years in exchange for Rachel, but because he loved her so deeply, the seven years seemed like only a few days.