27.34. Esau carelessly sells his birthright to his brother for lentil soup. In this way he ceases to be an heir of the promise. Jacob, on the other hand, believes in the power of the promise and seeks to become Abraham's successor at all costs. His faith, still crude and naïve, determines his election. 28.12. Jacob's dream symbolizes the connection between Heaven and earth. This bond will be realized in posterity and will be manifested in its entirety through the Incarnation (cf. John 1:51). The legend of Jacob's dream is read on the feasts of the Mother of God.

2. Jacob in Mesopotamia (Genesis 29-32, 21)

1 And Jacob arose, and went into the land of the children of the east.

2 And he saw, behold, there was a well in the field, and there were three flocks of flocks lying near it, for out of that well they were watering the flocks. Above the mouth of the well was a large stone.

3 And when all the flocks were gathered thither, they rolled away the stone from the mouth of the well, and watered the sheep; then they put the stone back in its place, at the mouth of the well.

4 And Jacob said unto them, My brethren! Where are you from? And they said, We are from Haran.

5 And he said unto them, 'Do ye know Laban the son of Nahor? They said, "We know."

6 And he said unto them, Is he well? They said, "Hello; and behold, Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep.

7 And he said, Behold, the day is still many; it is not the time to gather cattle; water the sheep and go and feed them.

8 And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks are gathered together, and the stone is rolled away from the mouth of the well; then we will water the sheep.

9 And he spoke to them, how Rachel came with her father's flocks, because she was shepherding.

10 And when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, Jacob came near, and rolled away a stone from the mouth of the well, and watered the sheep of Laban his mother's brother.

11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.

12 And Jacob said to Rachel, that he was her father's kinsman, and that he was the son of Rebecca. And she ran and told her father.