After I arrived home that evening I slipped into my bed and slept.  I had decided to talk to Isaac the next morning.  Apparently Isaac and Rebecca were anxious for I was awakened before dawn to beating at my door. Their servant urged me to come to Isaac quickly.

The conversation left much to be wanted.  Isaac and Rebecca both were still very troubled.  Everyone knew that while Esau might take a step back, there was still serious danger to Jacob.  The problem with Esau was his rage when angered.

I could very easily see Esau lose it the moment he was face to face with Jacob.  He might would have every intention of having a word with him and walking away, but anything could happen.

Isaac asked me to push on to Haran.  I had not yet planned on traveling in that direction, but for the sake of Isaac I would.  A few days later we mounted horses and were on our way.

Isaac asked me to bring Nathan and Jared.  Seeing as how they also knew the family there, it couldn’t hurt.  In addition, Xiang and Yu tagged along for this misadventure.

Our Arrival In Padanaram Haran

Arriving in Haran we made our way to Bethuel’s home.  We were welcomed, fed, and given rest.  After being redirected to Laban’s home we would find Jacob.

Laban knew us the moment he saw us.  He ran to meet us and welcomed us to his home.  Everything seemed fine so far.  I discovered that Jacob had married a woman named Leah after working seven years to get her.

It wasn’t until later that day I found Jacob and the whole story began to emerge.  I listened while helping him make rope in their workshop.  I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop as so to speak.  After all we were talking about Jacob, there had to be something going on.

“Clay, I spent seven years working for Laban to get Rachel.”
“Hold on, Rachel?  But your married to Leah?” I asked.
“Yes, Laban switched on me saying it’s not customary to marry the younger before the older daughter.  I go into the tent that night and it was Leah, not Rachel.”  Jacob said.

“So, there was nothing you could do?”
“No.  Laban told me if I wanted Rachel I had to work another seven years.” Jacob replied.
“Is that what you are doing now?  Working again to get Rachel?” I asked.
“Yes.  Laban is doing me wrong at every turn that he can.”

After Jacob got his frustrations out it was time for me to drop the big one.  I wanted him to know about my visit with Esau.  While things were not going well here for Jacob, I did believe this whole episode with Laban kept him out of trouble, even if it was wrong.

“Jacob, your dad sent me to check on you.”
“How is he doing?  Is he still healthy?” Jacob asked.
“Oh yeah, healthy as a horse other than being blind as a bat.” I said smiling.  “Seriously Isaac is doing really well.”

I gave a moment of pause before I went into what I really wanted to talk about.  He sensed my hesitation and tension.

“What is it that you are not telling me?” Jacob asked.
“I went to see Esau.  It’s not good.  I am not really sure if he can get over what happened.  Truth be told I can’t say that I blame him.  Still, the past is the past and he should move forward.”

Jacob stopped working.  Walking over to a nearby bench he sat down staring at the ground.  I know he was remorseful for how things happened.  There really wasn’t a way to fix it unfortunately.

“He still wants me dead.” I noticed Jacob made that a statement, not a question.
“Yeah, he does.  His heart is torn though.  Half of his heart is filled with anger, the other half misses the family and being home.  He does love you, but he is struggling.” I explained.

I walked over and sat on the bench beside him.  He was genuinely stuck.  Problems with Laban had him thinking of getting Rachel and leaving.  Going home though presented its own issues.  Jacob would have to face Esau in his return home.

“I really do not understand why life has become such a struggle.” Jacob expressed his frustration.
“Listen, I know this is not ideal.  You cheated Esau, now Laban is cheating you, and then life will go on.  Use the time here to help Esau cool off.  Time has a way of working on people.  Trust me on that one.” I explained.

Jacob stood up and walked back to the rope which was being stretched out.  He took the hemp fibers in his hand, and I could see he was considering what I said.

“What will you do next?” He asked.
“I came to check on you and that is done, so I guess I will return home.” I replied.

Jacob paused and I could see the look in his eyes.  He was here essentially on his own.  The reality is he fled from home and had to start a new life.  That new life was not as he expected.  I could sense he was regretting decisions.

“Clay, I would appreciate it if you could stay.  I don’t think dad would mind.”
“If I stay what could I possibly do?  I can’t change things.” I replied.
“I know, but I would have someone from home that I can trust.” Jacob countered.

I took a serious pause here.  Esau had asked me to stay as well.  I really did not want to be caught in the middle of this.  I did know he was right.  Isaac would want me to do what I could in helping mend fences, albeit I really could not do much.

“Alright, I will stay.” I replied after moments of thought.

Jacob was thankful and his mood seemed to improve some.  I spent time helping him finish his tasks and we had a little more small talk.  I wasn’t exactly happy about staying here.  The truth was I was not happy about any of this scenario.

Passage Of Time To Josephs Birth

Time would slip by fast for Jacob.  After his initial emotions of feeling cheated, he remembered his love for Rachel.  It became the fuel he lived by.  All of that may sound romantic, but it became a serious problem with the elder sister who was already his wife, Leah.

Laban was dirty for pulling a fast one on Jacob.  Sending Leah into Jacob’s tent instead of giving Rachel as promised was low.  At the end of the day it came down to one thing, keeping Jacob around longer.  The reason why was because Laban was profiting greatly from Jacob’s hands.

Despite the issues within Jacob’s life God had chosen to bless him because of how he would be used.  The problem for Jacob was that he had a long way to still grow from where he presently was.

After the seven years passed for the labor required to marry Rachel, Jacob would have two wives and Laban still trying to con him into staying.  Add to this the family of Laban had been torn into half due to his desire for profit.

Leah and Rachel were practically at war with one another over who would give Jacob more children.  For them it was about more than children, it was as if the women were trying to prove who should be loved more.  It was a mess.

This ordeal would climax after Joseph was born through Rachel.  With eleven sons and one daughter, Jacob would seek to bring an end to the whole ordeal.  All but one of his children would be born under his labor for Laban.  Jacob was owed more than Laban could pay for the great wealth that came from Jacob’s hands.

Jacob Chooses To Confront Laban

Working the land was something I had become so acquainted with that my past life seemed alien to me.  Who I was now became the identity I most closely associated with.  This in of itself was confusing.

I longed for home.  This desire had never changed since the first day I met Noah.  Nevertheless, I had become so comfortable with this life.  I felt as though I would struggle intensely to assimilate back into the time I belonged in.

As I was in these thoughts I heard Jacob calling my name.  He was walking towards my tent and when his eyes fell on me, he waved me over to him.  I got up and followed him as our walk took us outside of camp.

“Clay, it’s time to confront Laban.”
“Confront? About what?” I asked.
“Laban is using me, you know this.  It’s time for it to end and leave this place.” He replied.
“What’s your plan?”
“I want you with me when I confront him if that’s okay.  What I want from him is payment for the past years of labor and to be free from this servitude.” Jacob stated.

In truth he could just walk away.  If he did so it would be with nothing but the shirt on his back and his family.  The way in which Laban continually manipulated the situation resulted in Jacob being an indentured servant.  It was like the goal was to maintain this status as long as he could.

“Alright.  I will go with you, but expect to be harassed.  He’s going to come up with something.”
“I know.  I am prepared to do whatever is needed.” Jacob was too confident it seemed.

A short while later we rode to Laban’s home.  It was coming close to evening and Laban’s family would be returning soon.  Jacob and I sat by the door of Laban’s home waiting.  Neither of us spoke much.  I could tell Jacob was a little nervous.

On the other hand, my mind began to wander.  I tend to associate the dumbest things together at the craziest of times.  I mean, here we are essentially sitting on Laban’s front porch.  A few thousand years from now you will still find people sitting on their porch.  Some things never change.

“Jacob!” It was Laban.  His thundering voice broke my concentration on porches.
“Hello Laban.” Jacob rose and embraced him.
“I see you brought my old friend Clay.” I really wasn’t his friend but it’s all family politics.
“What have you come for?” Laban asked.
“I need to discuss business” Jacob replied.

Laban invited us into his home and we sat at a low table on the floor.  I was immediately suspicious.  Any business that is done indoors is typically conducted with an audience of family representatives.  Here we had no one but us.  I didn’t like it.

We were brought tea and after some small talk the negotiations would begin.
“So, what is it you have come here for Jacob?”
“I have served you for many years now.  I have come to ask you to allow me, my wives, and my children to leave from here and start on our own.”  Jacob was quick to get to the point.

I could see the immediate change on Laban’s face.  In truth he had no right to withhold this from Jacob.  If the truth were to be told Laban owed Jacob a great deal for how prosperous he had become because of Jacob’s work.  The next phase of this would come down to payment.

“I understand.  If you will please hear me out.” Laban began. “I have come to know that God has blessed me because you are blessed by Him.  Please stay a little longer.  If you do, what would you ask in return?”

Here is where I was going to get nervous.  I knew that Jacob would be owed a lot based upon what I saw.  The cattle and other livestock that he managed had multiplied beyond any expectations.  I knew Laban would not want to give Jacob what he was owed.  It was Jacob’s time to set the price.

“You are right in that many blessings have come.  If I continue with you for a time, allow me to take any speckled and spotted stock that would be born.  In this way, if any solid color animal is found among mine, then you will know it belongs to you.” Jacob’s price was named.

When I heard this, I was shocked.  Laban’s livestock was predominantly cattle, sheep, and goats, but very few were speckled or spotted.  The dominant trait was solid colors.  Keep in mind I was from an archeology and anthropology background, not science.  Even I knew this was a very bad idea.

“Okay!  Excellent!  We have an arrangement then.” Laban’s face gleamed bright.
“Very well.  I will get to work.” Jacob replied as he stood and embraced Laban once more.

After we exited the house I waited until we were mounted and riding away.  I wanted some distance between us and any ears that would hear my thoughts.  After a few minutes I turned my horse to face him and stopped.

“Have you gone crazy?” I demanded.
“Clay, don’t worry.”
“What do you mean don’t worry?  You know Laban will cut his herds and remove the speckled and spotted stock so you are left at a disadvantage.  You will have nothing to work with.” I replied.

Jacob just looked at me and smiled.  I was so confused.  He would now be dependent upon a recessive genetic trait that he could not see.  It would be a complete shot in the dark much like a roll of the dice.  This deal was a really bad deal.

“Don’t worry Clay.  Yah gave me a dream.  All I have to do is my part; He will take care of the rest.”
“Are you sure about this?” I asked.
“Absolutely.  You will see.  First, we need to prepare.” He replied.
“Alright, I will see you in the morning.  This I have got to see.” I said with serious doubt.