Study Desk

So he prepared a banquet for them, and they ate and drank.

They made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.

So now take your hunting gear, your quiver and bow, and go out in the field to hunt some game for me.

‘Bring me game and make a delicious meal for me to eat so that I can bless you in the Lord’s presence before I die.’

Go to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, and I will make them into a delicious meal for your father—the kind he loves.

His mother said to him, “Your curse be on me, my son. Just obey me and go get them for me.”

So he said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me twice now. He took my birthright, and look, now he has taken my blessing.” Then he asked, “Haven’t you saved a blessing for me?”

But Isaac answered Esau, “Look, I have made him a master over you, have given him all of his relatives as his servants, and have sustained him with grain and new wine. What then can I do for you, my son?”

Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau determined in his heart: “The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”

and stay with him for a few days until your brother’s anger subsides—

until your brother’s rage turns away from you and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send for you and bring you back from there. Why should I lose you both in one day?”

Look, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Then Jacob said, “Look, it is still broad daylight. It’s not time for the animals to be gathered. Water the flock, then go out and let them graze.”

While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess.

Laban said to him, “Just because you’re my relative, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”

Jacob loved Rachel, so he answered Laban, “I’ll work for you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”

So Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, and they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.

When morning came, there was Leah! So he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Wasn’t it for Rachel that I worked for you? Why have you deceived me?”

Complete this week of wedding celebration, and we will also give you this younger one in return for working yet another seven years for me.”

Jacob slept with Rachel also, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.