Early that morning before light began to peak into the sky, Xiang and Yu woke me to prepare to leave.  We carefully walked our horses back to the road and began riding.  Each moment the land around us slowly began to get brighter.

Initially we couldn’t ride quickly.  It was a slow walking pace.  We needed distance so every inch counted.  When we could see the road more clearly, we heard the fast pace of hoof beats behind us.  In front of us was a rise in the hill so we made quickly for it.

At the top of the rise, I pulled my horse to a stop and Yu almost ran into me.  In front of me was a group of men traveling by horseback towards Zoar.  They were all armed.  Still being too dark I couldn’t make out their faces.

“Who are you?” Shouted one of the men.
I might not could see his face, but I knew that voice.
“Esau!  It’s Clay!  We have trouble coming!” I replied.

Esau gave the order, and his men topped the hill at full speed bows drawn and arrows ready.  In mere moments you could hear the wisping of the arrows in the air.  Then followed the screams of men.

“Clay, how are you doing?  What brings you out here?” He acted as if this was nothing and perfectly normal.

“Your dad sent me” I replied.
“Ahh, I see.  I guess you’ve heard what happened.” He stated
“Yes, I am sorry.  I wanted to come check up on you too.”
“Well, ride to Bozrah with one of my men.  You have attracted too much attention here.  I will meet you at my home when I return.  We can talk then.” Esau said.

We shook hands and his big smile gleamed in the morning light.  At least he was happy to see me.  I always did get along more with Esau than Jacob.  The main reason why is I was always out in the fields working.  Jacob was a little more of a home body, so I saw less of him.

When Esau was young, he was always interested in hearing my stories.  He loved learning the sword and shooting the bow.  We hunted a good deal together and got along well.  I will say he was different though.  For Esau, there was always the next challenge to conquer, and he was always restless.

Arriving At Esau’s Home

Esau’s home appeared more like a medieval compound than a homestead.  It came complete with barracks for men.  Behind the stone walls were the living spaces and water access by well.  Outside there were some encampments

The choice for this location was no accident.  It rested along a main caravan route which would exist as a major highway even in modern times.  As far as time is concerned, we were moving quickly into the iron age.  This Bozrah would become the beating heart where trade routes converge.

From Egypt, the Mediterranean, Babylonia, Arabia, and the Red Sea, you must pass through the lands of Esau.  The man was not weak.  Nor was he stupid.

From the overlook you could see into the valley and hills below fields of wheat, orchards of apples, guava, and olives.  Yet these were not the money makers.  The big ticket item for currency trade was incense.  Incense to these people is what tobacco would be to Great Britain within their empire.

From this seemingly humble location around mountainous terrain one could control trade.  The taxes were paid or passage could be cut off.  No one really wanted to pick a fight here in this region.  Well, no one except Esau, and he was very successful.

It was assumed that these people were nomadic.  In actuality the Horites were more nomadic, and this way of life would still persist for many people in years to come.  What Esau brought was a more hybrid community giving it structure which would last for more than a thousand years to come.

At Esau’s home we were given select rooms beside the barracks.  These rooms were reserved for his special guard.  We were not allowed in his home due to his wives being there or nearby.  Here a more strict society existed more like other regional cultures where women were segregated.

This is one fact I always found so interesting.  With Abraham to Isaac the women intermingled far more freely with their social culture.  They were allowed to participate in business affairs and management if they chose to do so.  A woman’s word counted for something, and she had a right to say no.  It was not so in other cultures which surrounded them.

Here we would rest and take time to enjoy the surroundings for about a week.  Yu and Xiang enjoyed not being forced to participate in farming efforts, and they enjoyed taking some of the fruits of the field they did not sow.  As guests we were allowed some liberty.

Esau Returns Home

Before night fell one evening Esau came riding back into his compound.  I wasn’t going to rush in and bother him.  Rather I would wait until I was invited.  This was not my home.

The next morning a messenger arrived at our door.  I had been asked to meet with Esau after the morning meal.  Yu, Xiang, and myself, ate with the guard which had returned.  They were hearty men and battle hardened.  They bore the scars of conflict and had the attitude to go with it. 

We were treated with the utmost respect.  While they did not know who I really was, and I looked nothing like red Esau, they called me his uncle.  It was more of a title than any family meaning by association.

After we finished eating I walked towards Esau’s home.  He was waiting for me out front.  As he saw me draw closer to him he smiled with his big bright smile I had come to be familiar with.

“Hey Clay, I hope you have been treated well.”  He said.
“Absolutely the best.  Are you alright after being in Zoar?” I asked.
“Oh yes, I had some local politics to attend to.  Clay, lets ride and talk.”

We rounded up our horses and began riding out of the gate.  Once we were on the path he steered towards the orchards at a walking pace.

“How is dad doing?” He asked.
“He is good, but he is concerned about you.  He misses you dearly.” I replied.
“I miss him too.  I just cannot go back right now.  When I am there my anger fills me to the brim.” Esau stated.

I knew this anger was a serious problem.  What made it worse is that Esau had cause for the anger.  He wasn’t one to just let things slide.  Looking at the lands around me it is clear he had become a conqueror.  Really the equivalent of a king.  It wasn’t just about his ego.  It was also his image of respect and power.

“Yeah, I know Jacob did you wrong.  In fact, he did your dad wrong too.” I said.
“So you agree his blessing was stolen from me, and what is his should be mine.”
“Esau, that is absolutely true.” I replied.
“Then stay here with me Clay.  Help me here.  Then help me take back what is mine.”

From that statement I knew that he was still intent on killing Jacob.  He wanted retribution and a restoration of what should be his.  The problem was from what I understood, things did not work this way.

According to what I had learned from Abraham and Isaac, a blessing of this nature once bestowed it is to be sealed by God as well.  Even if Esau did succeed the people would see it as a continued conflict.  Esau would be stealing back what should be his, but because of the blessing being given to Jacob, it no longer belonged to Esau.

This would result in continued conflict that could last for generations.  I knew Jacob was in Assyria around Haran and he too would be doing something similar to Esau, growing a family and wealth.  The convergence of power would result in Canaan being a place of conflict.

“I promised your grandpa that I would help your dad while Isaac still lived.  You know I cant just come here.  Besides that wouldn’t help resolve anything.” I said.
“The only way to resolve this is for me to kill Jacob.” The look in his eyes was filled with anger.
“You really think that will fix anything?” I asked.
“It will be justice.” Esau replied.
“True.  That you are right in.  Yet will it be justice for your children, and their children, to remain in a conflict for generations that can then never be resolved?” I asked.

We rode silently for a few minutes.  The next moment of conversation turned to the orchards.  Esau spoke of how he took what he learned back home and used that knowledge here.  He spoke of how he would ride with me, Jared, and Nathan and learn from us as well.

I could hear the fondness of the old times in his voice.  In many ways I could tell that he knew the present path was not where he was supposed to be, and he may have wished to return.  He genuinely felt that he could not return though.

This conversation reminded me of the talk I had with Lot so many years ago.  He had become invested in being in Sodom and acclimated to that way of life.  Here Esau was now in the same position and saw no other alternative.  In his mind, the path was determined.

“Can I ask you a question Clay?”
“Sure.” I replied.
“I know there were differences between Shem and his brothers.  How did they stop from having conflict?” Esau asked.

He was smart.  Indeed there was conflict between the three boys.  Specifically Shem and Japeth against Ham.  This reached back to the incident where Noah became drunk that night with the wine.  There was a separation that took place.  Still with this, they as brothers loved each other.

“Esau, they knew mistakes had been made.  Wrongs always happen because we are human.  They decided to still love each other because they are brothers.  What they were trying to achieve was bigger than hanging onto a past mistake.  They did that because there was no reason to let the past impact their children.”

Esau pulled his horse to a halt.  We sat at the edge of a grove and could see the morning workers in the field.  Each had their tasks to fulfill, their roles to play.  Such is a family.  If we fight each other then the bigger point is missed and there never would be a harvest.

After a short while sitting in silence he turned his horse, and we began to make our way back to the house.  He didn’t say much on the ride back.  It was more small talk about his wives, young children, and some of what he had achieved.

Arriving back to the pasture for the horses we dismounted and unsaddled them.  The handlers took care of the rest.  We began to walk back towards his home and finally there was a crack for hope to flood in.

“Clay, I will give what you said some thought.  I have more than enough battles surrounding me that I must deal with.  A fight with my brother is not what I need.  I cannot promise you that if I met him that I would not kill him.  Nevertheless, I will give your words serious thought.”

“Thank you Esau.”
“When will you return to dad?” He asked.
“I should return as soon as I can.  I know he will be waiting eagerly to hear about you.” I replied.
“I understand.  You may leave as soon as you wish.  I do miss you and your friends.” He smiled big.
“I miss you too Little Red.” I said laughing.
“Hey, I am not little anymore!” He exclaimed.
“Yeah but you are still red.” I reached out to shake his hand.

He leaned in grabbing my hand and then pulled me close giving an embrace.  It did break my heart seeing this kind of rift between him and Jacob.  Their story was one of a deep love and hate relationship.  Both were strong in their own ways.

“Take a few of my men with you to pass Zoar safely.  Once you are free of the city they can return to me.  Tell dad and mom that I do love them.  Know that you are welcome here anytime.  You do not need to ask.  Return safely brother.”  Esau’s was a sincere man when he shared his words.

The sincerity he held is why I knew his words concerning Jacob were serious.  It was not merely a ploy of emotions speaking.  Jacob had real reason to fear.  This is why Isaac was also so concerned.  I hope that I had managed to help sway Esau’s mind.

If there is anything I have learned it is that eventually in life things come circling back around.  I did not know when or how, but at some point Jacob and Esau would eventually have to deal with each other.  Maybe more time is needed as well.  Esau not being home could be a good thing so his energy could be placed on other things.

The Return Home

We would spend that night at Esau’s home, and early the next morning we would leave.  Riding back towards Zoar I was a little tense.  Having Esau’s men helped me to feel somewhat better.  It did not change the fact that there were thousands in that city compared to our meager twenty-three riders.

As we reached the outskirts of the city we noticed that fewer glances came our way.  The eyes of the people fell onto Esau’s men.  They stayed out of our way.  Even though by comparison we were few in number, that is the power of a name that is respected through fear.

Once we passed Zoar we were left alone.  Esau’s men returned to go home.  Yu and Xiang were less on edge as we began to weave our way further West and North.  I too became more relaxed.  Traveling was not so bad when there was less fear of being attacked.

As we approached home I could make out the buildings and the farm hands conducting their evening tasks.  There was a lot to convey to Isaac about the situation.  I knew there still would be great concern as no real resolution had been achieved.

I could sense that my time here would be short.  I knew I would soon be riding towards Haran to find Jacob.  I only hoped that dealing with him would be easier.  I also hoped that he could stay away from home for a long while.  This of course would mean Jacob would need to not cause trouble.

Jacob not causing trouble, that was a thought which seemed contrary to all I knew.  I might as well ask the sun to not rise tomorrow morning.  Something told me this whole ordeal was about to get more interesting.