The Gate of Heaven (31 page)

“But why are you limping, Father?” Reuben asked. “Did you fall?”

Jacob started to answer and then said, “I will tell you about it later.”

Rachel was staring at Jacob's face. Something was different about it. When he had left he had been burdened down with care, his forehead lined. He had looked old and defeated, but now, although his age still showed, there was a brightness and clearness in his eyes she had never seen before. Suddenly she thought she knew. She came closer and put her lips to Jacob's ear. “Has the Lord appeared to you?”

“Yes,” he whispered back. “I will tell you all about it later.” Aloud he said, “Has Esau arrived yet?”

“No,” Reuben said. “But according to Abez, he should be here any moment. I've had the men arm themselves.”

“There will be no need for that,” Jacob said, and confidence rang in his voice. He stood straighter, holding himself on his staff, and there was a new authority in his voice as he said, “All will be well. Let no one fear.”

Leah stared at him. “Not fear! You were the one who was most afraid.”

“We will put our trust in the Most High God. He will not fail us,” Jacob said. “Now everyone go and begin a meal for my brother, Esau, and his companions.”

“Everyone is wondering what you will do to your brother.”

Esau was riding a camel beside his steward. “Are they, Moriel? What do you think?”

Moriel was a tall, well-built man, younger than Esau but a man well tried. He had sharp, dark eyes and wore a sword at his side. “I think you will kill him as the rascal deserves!”

Esau laughed. “You're a bloodthirsty fellow indeed.”

“Well, everyone knows what a rascal Jacob is.”

“How do they know that? It all happened a long time ago. You were just a boy.”

“I'm not deaf, though. It is no secret how your brother cheated you out of everything.”

Esau turned to smile at his steward. His red hair had dulled somewhat with age, but he still had a strong, athletic figure. The rich robes he wore proclaimed his wealth, as did the body of men that rode behind him.

There were twenty of them, all well armed and well dressed and riding fine animals. Esau did not speak for a moment, and then he said, “So you think I will kill my brother?”

“Yes, and I think you
should
. Just give me the word, and I'll take care of that chore. I'll cut the head off of that deceiver!”

For a moment Esau's smile disappeared, and a look of sadness came over him. “That's exactly what I would have done a few years ago. I was fully as bloodthirsty as you are, my son.”

Moriel knew his master well. He knew him to be a fair man and a just man, capable of anger, but he could not understand this softness in him now. “Well, it's been a while since he cheated you, but the offense is still there.”

“But I will not kill him.”

“You should!”

“I'm glad I didn't catch up to my brother when I was a younger man,” Esau said quietly. “I have a little more wisdom now.”

“The men are betting that you'll kill him. I've got a bet on you myself.”

“Then you'll lose your money—for I will not.”

Moriel struggled with this concept. “But he wronged you! He deserves death.”

“You do not know everything, Moriel. Jacob did a wrong thing—but so did I.”

“He was the one who stole your blessing.”

“But I was the one, Moriel, who sold my birthright simply for a pot of stew.” Bitterness twisted Esau's lips as the memory came back. “I can't believe I was so stupid as to do a thing like that! But I was a heedless young fellow. I cared only for hunting and for having a good time. I despised my birthright, and though Jacob was wrong, I think now that I was more wrong than he.”

Moriel was quiet for a time, but he was a talkative man and one who had to understand things. “The way I heard it, your own mother conspired with Jacob to steal what was rightly yours.”

“Yes, she did, but it wasn't altogether her fault.”

“I don't see why not! And your own mother!”

“My mother had received a word from God before the two of us were born, Jacob and I. God told her that the elder would serve the younger. When she saw that I was about to receive the blessing, she took matters into her own hands so that the prophecy would come true.”

“Do you believe all that, sire?”

“Yes, I do. My mother's a good woman. She was wrong, perhaps, in her methods, but she was concerned that the word of the Lord would not be done. And if I had received the birthright, Jacob would have served me.”

“Well, I don't understand it. Your mother and your brother cheat you, and you don't do a thing about it. I don't see how you could forgive that scoundrel!”

“Jacob did wrong, and that's his sin. Perhaps God will punish him—but I will not. Moriel,” Esau turned and shook his head, “God has blessed me so greatly. How can I kill my own brother?”

“Well, he deserves it,” Moriel said, shrugging.

“But what about all the gifts he has sent to us?” Esau asked. “Surely his heart has changed.”

Moriel thought of the sheep and the cattle and the goats that Jacob's servant had brought. “He must be a rich man himself. At least,” he grumbled, “you'll make a profit out of all this.” He suddenly straightened up and said, “Look, there's the camp ahead. That must be your brother's family and his herdsmen.”

“Yes, it is.”

“I hope you give him a good thrashing. If you're determined not to kill him, he deserves at least that.”

Esau did not answer. He had been speaking the truth when he had told Moriel that he would have killed Jacob years ago if he could have gotten his hands on him. But the years had mellowed him, and he had gained a respect for God, whom he had not known as a young man. His mother had been mostly responsible for this. For years she had told him of how God had spoken to her and begged him to forgive his brother. The change had been slow, but he had finally come to believe his mother's words. “You be respectful to my brother, Moriel.”

“I'd like to chop his head right off.”

“Mind what I say!” Esau said sharply.

“Very well. I will obey, but I think it's a shame that that rascal gets by with what he did.”

“We all get by with wrongdoing for a time. But I suspect that we all reap a harvest in the end. Show some respect.”

“As you say,” Moriel grumbled.

Jacob watched as the men drew up and dismounted. He picked Esau out at once, and for just one brief moment his heart failed him. But then he remembered the meeting with the Lord, as he had come to think of it, and he went forward and fell down. He bowed down seven times as his brother approached, and every member of Jacob's family and every servant practically held their breath as Esau came forward. He was a tall, strong, broad-shouldered man, and the weapons of his followers glittered in the sun.

Rachel whispered, “He could kill him right where he kneels.”

But then everyone saw Esau reach down and take Jacob by the arms. He pulled him to his feet and was shaking his head. They were too far away to hear what was said, but suddenly Esau embraced Jacob and kissed him. He held on to the smaller man, and relief manifested itself by a great sigh and murmur that went up from Jacob's family and his servants. The two men then came forward, Jacob leaning heavily on his staff and limping.

Rachel could not believe her eyes. Was this the bloodthirsty man Jacob had so feared? How could this possibly be, for Esau's face was wet with tears? Rachel whispered to Joseph, “You need not be afraid, son. Your uncle is a good man.”

As for Jacob, he could hardly speak. He believed that God had spoken to him. Still, old times die hard, and it was only when he saw the tears running down Esau's cheeks that he dared hope his brother had changed.

Jacob led Esau to where his family stood and introduced them. “This is Reuben, my firstborn, the son of Leah, and these are Leah's children. This is Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.” He introduced the other boys, and then said, “This is Joseph, the son of my Rachel.”

Esau smiled and said, “He is a fine boy indeed.” He came over and put his hand on Joseph's head. “You look very much like your father—only better looking.”

Joseph flushed. “No, I couldn't be better looking than my father!”

Esau laughed. “You're a polite young man.” Then to Jacob he said, “You have a fine family.”

Jacob said, “Come. We must sit down and eat. Leah, is the food ready?”

“There is plenty,” Leah said, bowing before Esau.

“Come, then. We will eat.”

Jacob and Esau stayed close together, and the meal was set out. Jacob asked eagerly about his parents and listened as Esau told him that they were well. He asked many more questions, and finally Esau laughed and said, “You will see for yourself, my brother.”

Jacob finally said what was on his heart. He reached out and laid his hand on Esau's forearm. “You have changed, my brother.”

“I hope I have.”

“I have changed also.” Jacob then spoke the words easily but with great feeling. “I wronged you greatly, and I ask your forgiveness.”

Esau's eyes warmed. “Of course I forgive you! We are brothers, are we not?”

Jacob knew then that God had done a work, and his heart was lightened. He could not take his eyes off Esau and knew that God had done a series of miracles, not only in his own life but in the life of Esau. This was not the impulsive, violent young man he remembered, and he breathed a silent prayer of thanksgiving to God.

Esau and his retainers had left, and Jacob sent for his wives, maidservants, and children. As they gathered around him, a good feeling came to him. It was obvious in the warmth of his eyes and also in the excitement of his voice. “God has spared us all,” he said, “and I must tell you that God has given me a second chance. Let us all honor the true God, the only God. The God of Noah and Seth. The God of Abraham and Isaac. Let us honor Him and serve Him.” He hesitated, then said, “I have a new name.” He saw the surprise on their faces and heard the questioning murmur of their voices. “God has taken away the name of Jacob and has named me Israel.”

“A prince with God,” Rachel whispered. She came to stand before him, and Joseph was with her.

Jacob put his arm around Rachel and his hand on Joseph's shoulder and looked out over his family. “It's been a long, hard journey since the time I left my home. I left there a deceiver and a wicked man, with only my staff, but now the good Lord has given me great possessions and more than that—he has given me a fine family. Let's thank Him for it.” He bowed his head and began to praise the Lord. The sound of his voice filled the clearing, and as Rachel felt his arm around her, she too gave thanks, for she knew that this was in some way a new husband, a Jacob she had not known, and she was happy.