Jacob lost all interest in returning home. He could not endure the thought of seeing his mother’s tent and his mother’s belongings without her. A great lethargy came over him. He could take no pleasure in anything. Each day seemed like a burden that must be endured. How could it be possible that his vibrant, alive little mother had died just as he was coming home? He had been afraid that his father would die before he got home, but it never occurred to him that his mother might die.
When he had thought about going home, it had always been to fit himself, his wives, and his children back into his own family as he had known it. Now he realized that his mother had been his family. Isaac had been a shadowy figure who had preferred Esau. Esau would be managing the family flocks and herds. Esau would be taking care of his father. And Jacob’s homecoming would be an intrusion.
If he went back, everything would become complicated. The old conflict over the birthright would flare up. Esau would again resent him. The truth was that he had all the sheep and goats and servants he needed, but Esau would not see it that way.
The more he thought about it, the more he determined to take more time and test things out before going back. Temporarily it would be best if they could stay right where they were until things became clear. He crossed back over the Jabbok and went down to the Jordan. It would be difficult to cross the Jordan with his family and his flocks at any time, but at this time of year with the spring flooding, it would be almost impossible.
He tramped around and found a level expanse that would make an acceptable place for them to camp. They would cross the Jordan when they were better prepared. They would have to make temporary shelters for the animals, but his servants and sons could do that easily. Jacob called the place Succoth because of the booths they built, and he stayed there for several years.
Once the family was settled, Jacob hiked in all directions looking for a permanent home for them that would not conflict with Esau. The land was large and the desert of the Negev was not the choicest land for cattle or for raising a family. He crossed the Jordan, and found that by going up the Wadi Fara, he came out onto a fertile valley.
He learned from shepherds that the two mountains facing him across the valley were called Gerizim and Ebal, with a sizable city lying between them called Shechem. He remembered his grandfather telling him that it was from the top of Mount Ebal that Elohim had shown him the land He was to give him and his descendants. He was excited. This large, fertile valley seemed the ideal place to settle.
He went back to the camp across the Jordan and began to seriously consider moving to an area near Shechem. He would have to go about it carefully. He would make friends of the important men in the city and then offer to buy land. Water would be a problem. He would have to set his men to digging a well as he had seen his father do in the Negev.
By the time he was ready to leave the safe environment of Succoth, his sons had become handsome young men and his daughter Dinah was as beautiful and charming as Rachel. People often thought she must be Rachel’s daughter, as she looked nothing like her own mother, Leah. Jacob had no way of knowing that her beauty would upset all of his plans of a happy new home.
He did everything properly. With several of his sons, he went to visit Hamor, the king of Shechem, and bought land from him for one hundred pieces of silver. He explained to the king that they had extensive herds and would not choose to live in the city but would dig a well in the valley so they would not be a burden to anyone.
“We will be so happy to have you settle here,” the king said. “We are a hospitable people, and your sons will be welcome to come and visit my son Shechem, and your wives, the women of my family.”
Jacob was elated with the arrangement. He walked over his land and noticed every detail. There was a huge old tree that Hamor had explained was considered sacred by the shepherds and villagers. He had asked that they let them continue to celebrate some of their festivals in its shade. This did not seem to be a problem to Jacob. He was more interested in digging a well that would supply them with water.
When the well was finally dug, Jacob went back over the Jordan to Succoth and brought his whole family to settle in the valley. They were all surprised at its wide green pastureland, and the well, so convenient for everyone. Surely this is the blessing the God of my father, Isaac, meant me to have. The difficult times are past and we will be happy here.
The first thing he did was to erect an altar and gather his family to worship and thank their God for bringing them to this fruitful valley. “We will call this altar El-Elohe-Israel, the altar to the God of Israel,” he said.