Jacob's Hope

By Laura Sparks DC

Jacob, having been cast out of the only life he has ever known, embarks on a journey to the land of his mothers ancestry. It is an arduous journey filled with danger and intrigue, in which Jacob is forced to make a choice to remain consistent to his calling. It is an epic story of love and hate, trickery and deceit, and ultimately the triumph of good over evil.

Jacobs Hope is the promise of God to make his descendants into a great nation. God not only proves faithful to Jacob, but has remained faithful to the nation of Israel even today. This is Jacobs story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 13, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512740349

Laura Sparks DC

Laura is a part-time practicing Chiropractor, the wife of a wonderfully supportive husband and the mother of 2 super kids with whom she endeavors to share the legacy of God’s truth. Her prayer is that this novelization of an epic Bible story will spark an interest in the Word of God as current, relevant and exciting for today’s reader.

Book preview

CHAPTER

1

The hush over the woods was deafening and the silence was terrifying. Jacob found himself running from it as much as he ran from his enemy. The dusk was closing in rapidly, but he continued to run, now blindly, hoping he would be ready. He scanned the dense woods and willed his eyes to see something, anything, that might prepare him for the next round. But the only things he saw were more unrecognizable trees, undergrowth, and an indiscriminate sameness that made finding his way or knowing his location virtually impossible.

Daring to catch his breath for a moment, he stopped and looked around. Nothing. Not a sound. No detectable movement. Yet he knew his enemy lurked, invisible. He continued his steady pace of progress through the unknown.

Ugh, blast it! Jacob muttered as he wrenched his right foot out of yet another of the unseen traps. God, where are you? he whispered. His ankles were bruised and raw, each trap more painful than the one before. The traps were built for large game and designed to injure and render the animal lame or dead. Jacob knew he was lucky to escape with both his legs intact, though more than a little battered.

It came as no surprise that Esau pursued the largest of animals. Never satisfied, his hunger to kill seemed to grow with each successful hunt. Now it was Jacob that was in Esau’s sights. But Jacob refused to give in to his brother’s hunt, for he was not ready to concede the victory. Although it was a mere game to Esau, the stakes were way too high to give in and allow him to win.

Jacob knew that his only hope of survival was to outthink his brother. They differed in that way more than any other. Esau was a man of action and, to his peril, often an impetuous one at that. Jacob, on the other hand, had learned that in the absence of brute physical strength, he had to use the resources available to him. Jacob had not spent near the time outdoors that Esau did, so he was well-aware of his disadvantage.

The quiet told him that his brother was near, for the birds and small animals would be silenced by his presence. Jacob tried to be equally silent as he made his way through the woods, undetected.

Noooo! Jacob stumbled yet again, this time straight down on his battered right hip and shoulder. Pain ripped through his slight frame, adding to the constant ache that was becoming his new normal. He hadn’t actually seen Esau since the last day he left his father’s home. At times Jacob marveled that it was his brother who was behind all this pain. How could his flesh and blood be this brutal? The very one he shared a womb with. The very one he knew was watching, even now.

Suddenly, Esau’s voice rang out. If I kill you, Mother will most certainly die of grief. The days of mourning for Papa are at hand, and hearing of your death, it might be enough to do Papa in, so don’t worry. I’m not ready to be an orphan yet. I will just torture you when I catch you, nice and slow. Esau laughed far too heartily, happily even.

Jacob had heard this same laugh on more than one occasion as they both thrashed through the woods. This was sport to Esau; he was good at it, and it was clear that he was having fun in his success.

Daring not to move his head, Jacob’s eyes darted back and forth, trying in vain to see where the voice was coming from. Since there was no evidence of stress in his pursuer’s voice, Esau was obviously in a very safe, undetectable position. Height then. He must be looking down on me. Although this fact should have intimidated him, Jacob wasn’t ready to give up. He will not outsmart me, Jacob thought to himself. Not if I can still think. God, help me. For the sake of my mother and father. Help me, he whispered.

You hungry? Probably missing dinner, Jacob called out, not sure which direction to project his voice. Better get going. Mother won’t hold it forever. She’ll give yours to the servants. You know how she hates to waste food and can’t resist helping them, Jacob went on, managing to veil his exhaustion.

Thought I’d eat your provisions and leave you with nothing for your journey. That’d make it harder on you, wouldn’t it? Esau chuckled.

Got nothing left, brother. Didn’t take enough food, I’m afraid. Would love to go home with you for a nice family dinner, Jacob replied. He was sure that he knew the direction from which his brother’s voice was coming, but if Jacob could keep him talking a little longer, he would be certain.

Ha! That is the one place you won’t be going back to now that Papa came to his senses. Esau sounded positively triumphant.

Brother, please. I am so sorry. Mama made me do it. It sounded like a good idea at the time, and you know how hopeless I am at refusing her requests. I am not strong like you. Jacob hoped this bit of flattery would, at the very least, buy him some time. She was sure that I simply could not make it in the world without Papa’s blessing. You are far more capable at making a way for yourself. Jacob knew that Esau would never understand his relationship with their mother, as Esau’s was so different.

You’re bluffing. Trying to get me to keep talking. You think you can win everything by your talking. Not going to win this time. Esau laughed again, sadistically. Ironically, Jacob’s taunts did, in fact, keep him talking.

I hate that we have to talk like this. Mama’s right, though. You are so much better in the woods than I am. How I miss her now. Papa, too, even though I know that you are his favored one. Jacob had caught his breath now, and his emotions were catching up with him. Miss you too, brother. We had some good times together, didn’t we? How you have loved to laugh at me when I couldn’t keep up with you. Even as he spoke it, Jacob realized how true it was. He loved his brother and truly did miss his family. How did things come to this?

You’re not going to trick me into believing you. You have tricked me too many times, and I’m just not going to let you this time. Esau was becoming rattled because, for the moment, he had actually lost track of his brother.

In the time they’d been talking, Jacob had focused all his attention on Esau’s voice. It took him back to his lessons with Tukai, the beloved ancient warrior his mother had commissioned to teach him the ways of hand-to-hand combat. Tukai always said that prayer and focus could change the world. Too few people took the time or made the effort for either one.

Jacob was not insulted that his mother thought he was the weaker brother physically, for at the same time she recognized that he was the stronger of the two mentally. He knew that she did everything she could to foster his natural bent. In place of his father’s lessons of the hunt with Esau, she had patiently taught Jacob domestic things. When he matured and it became clear that his hunting skills were sorely lacking, she had made a way for him to learn ancient combat secrets, those she intuitively knew required more brains than brawn, just as she knew that Jacob would be uniquely suited to this type of combat.

Tukai had more than prepared him for survival. He was a master at combat. He was a timeless warrior who exuded control, patience and spirituality. It was the depth of his spirituality that Jacob found himself drawing upon, even now, in the heat of the moment.

Prepare yourself for combat with prayer, Tukai would say. Don’t dare enter into any conflict before the Lord of the universe. For his angels should be called upon to go before you and uphold you. At His command, they will also form your rear guard.

What Esau had learned to do with brute force, Jacob had learned to do with ease and finesse, saving his body the wear and tear. Although Rebekah had encouraged both boys to attend the lessons, Esau had scoffed at the simplicity and spirituality. Esau preferred to make things happen through physical force, and the lack of violence of Tukai’s methods was intolerable to him. All the while, Jacob went quietly about the business of honing his skills.

The truth was that, in part, Jacob feared his brother. Or rather, feared what his brother was capable of. Even more accurately, Jacob knew too well that Esau simply had no limits on what he was willing to do to accomplish his goals. Early on, his mother had warned Jacob that there might be a time when his very life would depend on what he’d learned from the ancient combat master. Jacob wondered, even then, that she might have been referring to Esau, who seemed to harbor a deep hatred for his younger brother from a very early age. Esau loathed anything or anyone he could not subdue.

Jacob never took for granted the fact that he was learning control over his emotions, his desires, and his impetuous brother. This was a hard-won victory, one that required moment-by-moment focus. Focus, he coached himself even now, still hearing the voice of his tutor. You can even change the very mind of your opposition if you move forward with confidence and believe in the reality that Yahweh will uphold you. He will make a way for you if you are willing to listen to His voice and hear His plan for you. God has a plan for each one of us. Few are willing to be still long enough to hear the plan. Tukai’s words, so often repeated, came back strongly now. Do not rush ahead of Him and hope that He will approve. In big decisions, hold yourself back from an impetuous move and await His instructions. Then, when the plan is clear and good, move ahead with a focus of a she-bear defending her young with no vacillation, no hesitation knowing that He has gone before you. Allow nothing to stand in the way of the task He puts before you, for that would only be disobedience. God will never force your hand. He asks us to choose Him. Make every effort every moment to be pleasing to your God and He will bless your way with success.

Encouraged by the remembered words, Jacob made his way around his brother and now stood behind him, hidden behind an outcropping of trees, careful to remain silent. He watched breathlessly as his brother became increasingly more agitated. It was clear that Esau had lost sight of him and was not happy about it. Jacob stood motionless, not making a sound, knowing that his brother’s detection and skills of the hunt were second to no one.

Suddenly, Esau began to move, slowly at first, listening, furtive, ready to react to Jacob’s attack. Still Jacob watched breathlessly, knowing that the small outcropping was not enough to hide him if his brother came close enough. Jacob began to breath again as he watched his brother move in the opposite direction from his hiding place. Esau moved quickly now. His bulk not impairing his movement as he doggedly followed his trail. He disappeared from view.

Jacob smiled to himself and relaxed, but thought the better of any bold moves. His wild brother was too close to him and far too dangerous to toy with. He would wait him out here. He had a high and safe vantage point, and even though his brother was not visible at the moment, he would see Esau before Esau saw him. Unless, of course, Esau came from behind, Jacob thought fleetingly, but his thought came too late.

Jacob heard him before he saw him, crashing through the brush. He sounded more like a stampeding herd than a mere man. Esau was on him in a flash and Jacob reacted instinctively, firing a barrage of arrows headlong into his charging brother. Esau roared at the counterattack, but did not stop his advance. Jacob was ready. He leaped onto a low-hanging branch, and as Esau lunged for the limb, Jacob was up onto the next bough, this time higher and well out of reach of his less nimble brother. He continued to move, swiftly, stepping from one limb to the next, defying the fact that those same branches seemed not be stout enough to bear his weight. As he disappeared into the thick foliage, Esau loaded his bow and began to fire, swiftly but blindly, hoping that by sheer numbers he might hit his agile brother.

Still admire you, brother, wish I knew how to do this stuff better. I could have given you more of a challenge. This has been way too easy for you. Jacob knew his brother never backed down from a challenge and didn’t relish an easy win. He stayed hidden in the leaves, thankful for the fullness of this solitary tree. I’m done, I’m surrendering. I can’t go on anymore.

Not gonna trick me, brother, Esau replied.

No tricks, I swear. Just can’t go on anymore. Jacob’s voice was full of resignation, he panted dramatically for effect, but in truth he remained vigilant, every muscle taut with anticipation.

So that’s it, no more running? I’m not falling for it. What are you planning? Esau was obviously confused, losing patience.

Jacob waited no longer for his assault. Not a skilled marksman, he could make up for this weakness in quickness and quantity. With rapid-fire shots, he began to fling arrows at his unsuspecting brother. He loaded the arrows by the handful onto his bow and let fly. Now out of the tree, Jacob was running and loading, closing in and pelting his brother. Their brief conversation had bought him some time and Jacob was now at close range.

You devil! Awwee … ow! Ughh!

Esau’s surprise was marked by grunts and cries that were animalistic. Not physical pain, but mental anguish for having been outsmarted. Overwhelming to anyone else, Jacob knew that Esau’s sturdy frame could easily withstand this assault. Although he wanted to win, he was not sadistic in the same way as his brother. Jacob had no real desire to hurt him and certainly not mortally wound him. He simply wanted the chase to be over.

Jacob also knew that he could remain no longer on the defensive: he had to launch an attack and push his brother back if he was to survive. Jacob moved away quickly now, leaping, flipping over the rocks as he came to them. Focus. Use your environment. Become one with the situation. Breathe. Make the best of the challenge. For it will bring out the best in you. Tukai’s counsel came to him again.

Whatever torture Esau had in mind was more than Jacob’s battered body could handle and he knew that his brother would stop at nothing. Jacob had witnessed his uncontrollable rages and learned that they were not to be taken lightly. He therefore continued to fire the arrows, not stopping, ignoring the burning fatigue in his shoulders.

You won’t get away with this! Esau shouted as he ran, ducking, stumbling towards home. I will hunt you down, I swear, for as long as I live. You will not live this down. May you have nothing but bad luck until then, brother. Mark my words, I will come back for you, Esau shouted as he ran.

CHAPTER

2

Spent beyond exhaustion, Jacob lay where he had collapsed a few hours before, powerless against his body’s drive for full rest. It was not a particularly comfortable place, but he couldn’t bear the idea of moving for something so trifling as personal comfort. He thought back over the distance he had travelled from home and wondered how long he had before Esau would come storming after him, seeking his unforgiving revenge. He shouldn’t have laid here this long.

Deprived of sleep and unhinged by fear, Jacob had too much time to think. Admittedly, his brain was not doing its best work. However, his last assault had given his confidence a much-needed boost. He was still not a woodsman by anyone’s measure, but he proved to himself that he could hold his own. He had done so against his long-feared brother. He had survived. This was far more than he thought he was capable of. He was proud of himself and he wondered how much longer he could hold out.

"Thank you, Lord, for protecting me from my brother. For the sake of my mother and father, oh God, you allowed me to survive. Hopefully, they will know nothing of this. Surely my brother will have the wisdom not to tell them how close he came to killing me. Thank you for the wisdom of my dear mother who sent me away to escape my brother’s wrath. I pray that she will never have to know that he chased me down as a starving man hunting his prey.

Esau had always been violent, even as a young boy. Jacob still wondered why his mother had never tried to cultivate thinking, writing and communication in Esau as she had with Jacob. It seemed she had given up early. Perhaps it was that Papa had so taken to Esau, the first-born and his obvious favorite. His father loved to teach Esau the ways of the land and the hunt. And Esau took to all of it so naturally. Papa had loved to eat the spoils of the hunt and seemed equally-pleased that Jacob had learned how to prepare meals coaxing the best flavors from the meats that they brought home.

He lay on his back for a moment thinking about his last day at home. Jacob knew he should have been plotting his next move and didn’t have the luxury of time, yet the memory of his home and his father was so vivid. Maybe it was the overwhelming fatigue. Jacob reasoned that he should not be making any significant strategic decisions, right now anyway, until he had fully rested. And so he allowed his mind to wander.

He should have been exuberant. Jacob had his father’s blessing. It went according to his mother’s perfect planning. Until it was over, he didn’t realize the level of deception of which she was capable. He simply obeyed, trusting her wisdom, or possibly resigned to it. Jacob knew better than to defy her.

To the same degree that Esau was independent, Jacob was submissive, at least to his mother. He knew at times that he overcompensated for his brother’s absences, but he hated to see his mother unhappy. Or worse, to be the source of her unhappiness. Rebekah often shared her concerns about Esau with him. So upon overhearing his father’s request for wild game on that fateful day and coming to him with the plan, he assumed that his mother had the best interests of both sons in mind. He was so confident in her love for him that it didn’t occur to him until later that the plan might put him in danger of his brother’s wrath.

Oh, Mama, this is silly, Papa will know that I am not Esau. What if he feels my smooth skin? He knows that Esau is a hairy man. I shall bring a curse on myself and not a blessing. And I do not smell of the outdoors like my brother. Even with his weak eyes, Papa is bound to know. Jacob laughed lightheartedly; he almost never disagreed with her.

Stop it. His mother grew very serious. "He cannot know. Let your curse be on me, my son, only obey my voice and go. Get two choice kids of the