The Sons of Isaac(79)

“Esau,” she said, reaching out to him in real compassion, “your wives are pretty but they don’t fit and never will. They see nothing wrong with having idols and they think circumcision is cruel. They even at times take your children with them to their pagan festivals.”

Esau fell back as though he had been slapped. The riding prod fell from his hand and his expression became pained. “I can get rid of my wives; I’ll send them back to their fathers with apologies and gifts.”

“It is too late for that,” Rebekah said. “There are some things in life that cannot be changed. You have children. These are your children and the wives are your wives. These are the result of decisions you made freely. While wives can be sent back, children cannot be thrust back into the womb, no matter how much you pray or wish it to happen.”

“You don’t understand. I had no choice. The only women available, as you say, were not suitable.”

“If you had asked me, I would have at least suggested that you go and visit Ishmael. He has daughters.”

Esau got to his feet and, slapping the prod against his right leg, moved to the door of the tent. “I understand,” he said thoughtfully. “My wives were only a whim of the moment. I didn’t think about children or their fitting into our family. Now maybe I should go visit Ishmael and see if I can’t find at least one suitable wife.”

With that he ducked down and made his way out of the tent in a hurry before she could object. After he was gone Rebekah sat alone thinking. How hard it was to make things right when they had gone so wrong. Even her own best qualities had been used in the wrong way. The girl who joyfully watered the camels for Abraham’s servant so long ago was also the one who, wanting to make things turn out right for her son, went to all the effort of disguising him to pass for his brother. Now her beloved son was fleeing for his life and her only other son was filled with hatred enough to kill.

And Isaac, who was so patient and kind, let Esau destroy himself with big expectations and bad marriages rather than discipline him.

What would have happened, she wondered, if she had trusted Elohim to work out His own plan for their lives? What would have been different if she had not felt it necessary to manipulate and manage everything?

If she had reminded Isaac of Elohim’s words, perhaps he would have made the decision to bless Jacob. As it was, things could not have turned out worse. Esau had been badly hurt and her beloved Jacob would undoubtedly receive a rough welcome from Laban. She knew her brother well. When he realized Jacob had come with no gifts, only promises of birthright and blessing, he would not be pleased. She feared that Jacob would find only thorns in Laban’s house.





As it happened Jacob did not go directly to the house of his uncle, nor did he meet Laban until he had first seen that his uncle did indeed have a beautiful daughter. It happened quite by chance. He was thirsty, his water cask was empty, and he turned aside to join some shepherds. “Where can I find a well?” he asked.

“You’re in luck,” one of them said. “We’re waiting till all the shepherds arrive to lift the stone off the well and water our sheep.”

“Where do you live?” Jacob asked.

“We live in Haran,” they said.

“Do you know someone named Laban, the son of Nahor?”

“Certainly!”

“Is he well?”

“Not only well but prosperous. It’s his daughter we’re waiting for. She should be coming with his sheep.”

“He has no sons or servants to care for the sheep?”

They rolled their eyes and looked at each other, nodding their amazement. “It’s obvious you know nothing of Haran. Laban has sons and servants and slaves aplenty. He’s very wealthy, but his daughter is young and likes to herd sheep better than staying at home.”

“Look! Here she comes now,” one of the men said.

Jacob looked in the direction the old man pointed and saw a young wisp of a girl standing first on one rock and then another as she counted her sheep. When she was satisfied that they were all there, she gave a shrill, piercing whistle and proceeded to lead them right to the group by the well.

Jacob stepped back so he could observe her before she noticed him. He saw that she wore no covering on her hair but a chain of daisies that she had obviously woven while she watched her sheep. Her hair was thick and curly, her mouth generous, and her eyes sparkled with good humor. Her gown, hiked up to make walking easier, displayed doeskin sandals whose laces crossed back and forth over slim ankles and up tanned legs. The long sleeves of her gown were folded back, leaving her hands exposed.