We rode as fast as we could ride.  I thought our horses would die.  In one of our forced stops for water Jared came to me.  He was tired, as we all were.  It seemed like a never ending battle dealing with the past.

“Jacob doesn’t stand a chance.  Maybe we can have him turn and run?” Jared offered.
“He can’t run.  Its not possible.” I replied.
“The agreement with Laban prevents it right?” Jared asked.
“Yeah, the whole point of them making peace was a promise to no longer cross that line.  Jacob is truly stuck.  He can’t go back, or he could die.  He goes forward, most likely he will also die.” I pointed out.

Nathan came walking over to join us.  He could hear us talking.  Handing us some food we began to eat a little and drink water ourselves.  The horses could not rest for long unfortunately.

“Did you guys notice that Esau wasn’t surprised at the news.  It was like he knew Jacob was coming.” Nathan pointed out.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if Laban sent a messenger to tell him.” Jared said.
“It’s possible he did.  It doesn’t matter now if Jacob was set up or if Esau just guessed.  This is where we are and we know what we have to do.  No way to avoid it.” I pointed out that reality.

We mounted our horses and began to ride again.  We would keep this routine until we reached Jacob.  It did not matter how tired we were, Esau was not going to wait on us.

When we finally reached the camp it was at mid-day.  I could see the front of the caravan.  As we came closer, I could make out Jacob.  He was waiting for us.

Jacob Responds To Esau’s Approach

Reaching Jacob we dismounted.  He had walked a little distance away from the group.  The look on his face was clearly worried.  He didn’t mix words with small talk.

“What did Esau say?” Jacob asked.
“He is coming with four hundred armed men.” Jared replied.
“No! No! No!” Jacob cried out.

It was as if someone punched him in the gut.  He spun around in anguish.  His stress was at the maximum.  The look on his face was dazed, confused, and tormented.  Tears began to stream down his face.

“Jacob… Jacob…” Nathan called to him.  “What do you want to do?”
“It’s best if we don’t fight.  We have to submit to him.” Jared stated.
“No…. No don’t fight.” Jacob was trying to find clarity of mind as the adrenaline was pumping through him.

The people were watching us.  His wives, children, and they were all waiting for Jacob to decide.  We couldn’t intervene.  He had to decide.  Where he was right now is one of the loneliest places in the world to be in.  When there is no answer that can keep you safe, that can keep your family safe, it is a nightmare.

“We will split into two groups.  Put the handmaids with my children born from them in the front.  In the second group place Leah at the front with my children from her.  Than Rachel in the rear of the second group and my children with her.”  At least Jacob was thinking now.

“If Esau attacks one group, the other may be able to escape.  I want to use your idea of sending tribute.  I will find my servants to do this.”  Jacob walked away headed towards his shepherds. 

Before it was over Jacob had amassed five different herds.  The total the number of animals in this tribute would be five hundred and fifty.  The assortment included goats, sheep, camels, cows, and donkeys.  It was a fortune.

Each herd of animals would be sent out in front of the two groups of people.  The animals would arrive to Esau and the servants were told to present it as a gift. They then would tell him that Jacob was behind them.  Jacob hoped this would cool Esau off some before he encountered the first caravan where the handmaids were at the front.

This night would be one of planning.  After the herds of animals were sent across the Jabbok we took a light rest.  Later the people crossed and then split into two groups as Jacob desired.  They too then began traveling towards that inevitable encounter.

Jacob Stays Behind

As we were finishing the organization of this procession I looked back to see Jacob returning to where our camp was.  This confused me.  I rode over to him to ask what was going on.

“Jacob are you coming?”
“No.  I am staying for a while.  I need to pray.  I have done all that I can do and we need God.” He replied.
“I understand.  We have done the best we can do.” I said.
“I know.  I will be with everyone soon.” Jacob assured me.

I rode back to see Jared and Nathan discussing their placement in the caravans along with Xiang and Yu.  Two would go with each group in order to try and help keep people calm.

“Where will you be Clay?  You want the middle so it can act as a pivot point to help direct an escape path?” Jared asked.
“No.  I am going to stay behind with Jacob.” I replied
“Jacob is staying behind?  Why?” Xiang demanded to know.
“He needs to pray.  I say we need a lot of that right now.  I will hang back and shadow him out of sight.” I insisted.

“I am not so sure that is a great idea, Clay.” Nathan was concerned.
“Why not?” I asked.
“If he is planning on having a real meeting with God, you don’t do so well in those situations.” Nathan was half joking but also serious.
“Yeah, we remember your last encounter.  Five massive meteors from the sky almost incinerated you.” Jared said laughing.

“Listen, take care of the people as best as you can.  I am not leaving Jacob.  Not when he is like this and there is so much to lose.  If he snaps, these people have no chance.  They don’t answer to us, they answer to him.” I pointed out.

“Alright.  Be safe.  Try to get him going as fast as you can.  We need him.” Nathan insisted.
“I will see you guys later.” I turned my horse and began to ride back towards Jacob.

Jacob Wrestles With God

It had to be just past midnight.  I chose an alternate path to ford back across the Jabbok.  I wanted to remain at a distance not letting Jacob know I stayed behind.  I was merely concerned for his safety.  He was confused and dazed.

The moonlight was just enough for me to read some terrain.  I could see his campfire faintly.  I could hear his occasional cries in the night with his pleas to God.  I just couldn’t make out the words he was saying.  I just sat in the dark on a rock outcropping as I watched and waited.

I am not sure how much time passed, but it wasn’t too long, and I saw another shadow in the night.  Instantly the hair on the back of my neck stood up like an electric current flowed through me.  Jacob was being attacked.  They were fighting.  I stood and went to grab my horse.

It was then a figure stood in front of me.  As I reached for my sword this dark figure shoved me.  The shove was so strong it took me completely off of my feet sending me flying backwards.

“You will not interfere.” A voice said.
“Who are you?” I demanded.
“Death.” The voice replied.

The air around me grew suddenly cold.  I could still hear Jacob’s screams while he struggled in the distance.  As I looked at this guy called Death, I began to realize he was serious.  I caught a glint of armor in the moonlight.  I have never seen anything like it.

“Even if you are Death, I am not going to let you harm Jacob.” I replied.
“I will not harm Jacob.  He is wrestling with the Lord.  I have come for you.” Death replied.

My body instantly went into paralysis.  I collapsed where I stood.  I couldn’t breathe.  There was nothing I could do.  Faintly as if in the distance I could hear a cry.  It wasn’t Jacob.  I recognized that voice from so long ago.  It was Noelle, my daughter.

A Split In Time

“He is in Vfib.  Crash cart now!” A nurse called out.
“Noelle, Kate, come here girls!” Liza cried out.

Liza wrapped her arms around the girls and began to lead them away.  The exit was blocked by the nurses rushing in.  The moment the door was clear Liza began to rush towards it with the children.  As she began to exit the door the sound of the shock going into Clay’s body echoed in the room. 

Noelle broke free from Liza’s grasp.  Running to the foot of the bed she collapsed on the floor crying.  A scream came from her lungs filling the air.
“Daddy!”

A Flack Back In Time

I could see Death staring at me.  His eyes glowed.  I couldn’t tell the color.  It was a faint light.  I began to feel myself slipping away.  As I was staring into Death, that is when I heard it.

“Daddy!” It was Noelle’s voice.  She was crying.  Then I could hear her praying.  Death’s gaze never took his eyes off me. 

“Your time is long past.  You have wasted everything, every opportunity you threw away.” His voice was cold.  Bitterly cold.

I could hear Noelle’s voice praying.  She was begging.  Pleading for my life.  My little girl.  There was nothing anyone could do.  I tried to speak but couldn’t.  I had to try.  I forced with all my strength to try and tell her.

“I’m sorry.” The words came out as a whisper across time.

A brilliant light came from behind Death.  I couldn’t see what it was.  My eyes couldn’t focus.  A moment after I could once again breathe.  My body was still numb.  I lay there gasping for breath.

As my eyes once again came to focus I could see sunlight on the horizon.  It was faint, but the sky was beginning to turn light.  Where Death stood was another figure.  This one was different.

His hair was so white it looked more pure than snow.  His eyes were like fire.  His feet glowed.  They looked like brass when super-heated in fire.  The light that came from Him, it make Him look like the Sun itself.

I closed my eyes not knowing if I was dead, or if I was alive.  I could feel my body begin to slowly feel again.  Opening my eyes once more, whoever it was that saved me, He was gone.

A Flash Forward In Time

“Noelle, you have to come with me now!” Liza screamed out.
“No!  I’m not leaving Daddy!”

One of the nurses aids helped Liza get control of Noelle.  Kate was by the door in tears.  Another shock went through Clay’s body.  The heart monitor beeped.

“He’s back.” One of the nurses said just before Noelle and Liza made it out of the door.  Liza rushed the two girls down the hall into the lady’s restroom.  Once inside she looked in the stalls to make sure they were alone.

There she fell on her knees and wrapped her arms around them both.  All three began crying.  “I didn’t want you two to see that.  I’m not mad at you.”

“I know mommy” Noelle said.  “I’m sorry.”
“No, you don’t have to be sorry.” Liza said consolingly.
“We love you mommy.” Kate said crying.
“I love you too girls.”

They didn’t know but a nurse stood guard outside the door to the restroom.  They were given time to gather themselves.  It would take some time but eventually they emerged.  The nurse then asked to speak to Liza privately.

The girls were put in the waiting room where they couldn’t hear but could be seen.  Kate knew something more had taken place.  She moved closer to Noelle and began to whisper.

“What did you see?” Kate asked.
“Death.” Noelle replied.