Jacob

Sold me his birthright for a bowl of this. Made him swear first, obviously.

Esau@esauIn from the fields and starving. Jacob’s cooking stew. Bro. Give me some of that red stuff. That red stuff, there.

Slept out with a stone for a pillow. Dreamed of a stairway from earth to heaven, with God’s angels going up and down on it. And the LORD standing above it, telling me he’s with me, he’ll watch over me wherever I go, and he’ll bring me back to this land.

The LORD is in this place, and I had no idea.

Worked seven years for Rachel. They felt like a few days, I loved her that much.

Seven years. The wedding feast. And in the morning: it’s Leah.

Replying to @laban

Fine. Seven more years.

Replying to @rachel

What, am I God? He’s the one keeping you from having children, not me.

Asked Laban for every speckled, spotted and dark animal as my wages. He agreed. Then that same day he took them all out of the flock himself and sent them three days away with his sons. Classic.

We’ve gone. Before we left I called Rachel and Leah out to the fields, where nobody could hear. Your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times, but God didn’t let him harm me. And God has told me to go home.

Replying to @laban

Your gods? Search whatever you like. If you find them with anyone here, that person won’t live.

Finally said it. Twenty years. Heat by day, frost by night, no sleep. Fourteen years for your daughters, six for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times. If the God of my father hadn’t been with me, you’d have sent me away empty-handed.

Sent word ahead to Esau. The messengers came back: he’s on his way to meet me. With four hundred men. I’m terrified.

Prayed. I don’t deserve any of the kindness and faithfulness you’ve shown me. I crossed the Jordan with nothing but my staff, and now look. Please, save me from my brother. I’m afraid he’ll come and kill us all, mothers and children.

Gift for Esau, sent ahead in separate herds with gaps between: 200 female goats 20 male goats 200 ewes 20 rams 30 camels with their young 40 cows, 10 bulls 20 female donkeys, 10 male donkeys Maybe that’ll soften him up.

Alone that night by the Jabbok. A man wrestled with me until daybreak. When he saw he couldn’t win, he touched my hip and wrenched it out of joint. He said, “Let me go, it’s dawn.” I said I won’t let you go unless you bless me.

Replying to @jacob

He asked my name. Jacob. He said: not any more. Israel, because you have struggled with God and with people, and you have won.

Replying to @jacob

Called the place Peniel. I have seen God face to face, and I’m still alive. The sun was coming up as I left. I was limping.

And there was Esau, with the four hundred. I went out in front of everyone and bowed to the ground seven times as I got closer to my brother.

Replying to @esau

You asked what all the animals were for. Said you had plenty, and I should keep them. I made you take them. Seeing your face was like seeing the face of God, you welcomed me so kindly.

God said go up to Bethel. So I told everyone: get rid of your foreign gods, wash, change your clothes. They handed them over, earrings too, and I buried the lot under the oak near Shechem.

Back at Bethel. Last time I was here I had a stone for a pillow and nothing else. God answered me on the worst day of my life, and he’s been with me everywhere I’ve gone. Building him an altar.

Jacob@jacob · BethelSlept out with a stone for a pillow. Dreamed of a stairway from earth to heaven, with God’s angels going up and down on it. And the LORD standing above it, telling me he’s with me, he’ll watch over me wherever I go, and he’ll bring me back to this land.

Deborah died. Mum’s nurse, the one who came with her from her family’s home when she left to marry Dad. We buried her under the oak below Bethel. I’ve named it Allon-bacuth. The Oak of Weeping.

Rachel died on the road near Bethlehem, giving birth. A very hard labour. With her last breath she named our son Ben-oni, son of my sorrow. I called him Benjamin, son of my right hand.

Replying to @joseph.son.of.jacob

Your mother and I and your brothers, bowing down to you? Really, son?

They brought me his robe, soaked in blood. A wild animal got him. Joseph has been torn to pieces. I’ll be mourning my son till I’m in the grave.

Why are you all just standing there looking at each other? There’s grain in Egypt. Go down and buy some, so we live and don’t die.

Joseph is gone. Simeon is gone. And now you want to take Benjamin? Everything is against me.

If it has to be, then take the man a gift. A bit of balm, some honey, spices, myrrh, pistachios, almonds. Double the silver. And your brother. If I lose my children, I lose them.

They told me Joseph is alive and ruling Egypt. I didn’t believe them. Then I saw the wagons he’d sent. My son is alive. I’m going to see him before I die.

At Beersheba, God called my name in the night, twice. I said I’m here. He told me not to be afraid to go down to Egypt. He’ll go down with me, and he’ll bring me back up again. And Joseph will be the one to close my eyes.

Replying to @joseph.son.of.jacob

Now I can die. I’ve seen my son’s face, and he’s alive.

I’m 147. Made Joseph swear the old way, his hand under my thigh: don’t bury me in Egypt. Carry me out and bury me where my father and grandfather are buried.

The sceptre won’t leave Judah. The ruler’s staff stays in his family.

I’m waiting for you to rescue us, LORD.

On my deathbed I blessed both of Joseph’s boys, and worshipped, leaning on the top of my staff.

Joseph@joseph.son.of.jacob · EgyptTook my two boys to Dad, Manasseh, the elder, at his right hand. And he crossed his arms. Right hand on Ephraim, the younger.

Replying to @joseph.son.of.jacob

What kind of dream is that? Your mother and I and your brothers, bowing to the ground in front of you? Really, son?

The boys have taken the flocks up near Shechem. Sending Joseph to see how they’re doing and bring me word back. He said he’s ready.

Replying to @josephs.brothers

It’s my son’s robe. A wild animal has got him. Joseph’s been torn to pieces.

Replying to @jacobs.household

No. I’ll go down to the grave mourning my son.

Why are you all just standing there staring at each other? I’ve heard there’s grain in Egypt. Go down and buy some, so we live and don’t die.

You’ve taken my children from me. Joseph is gone. Simeon is gone. And now you want Benjamin. Everything is against me.

Replying to @jacob

My son is not going down there with you. His brother is dead, and he’s the only one left. If anything happens to him on the way, it’ll put me in my grave.

The grain from Egypt’s gone. Go back and buy us a little more food.

Replying to @judah

Why did you have to tell the man you had another brother? Why do this to me?

If it has to be, it has to be. Take the man a gift. A little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios, almonds. Take double the silver, and give back what was in your sacks. Maybe it was a mistake. And take your brother.

Replying to @jacob

May God Almighty make the man kind to you, so he sends back your other brother and Benjamin both. As for me, if I lose my children, I lose them.

Enough. My son Joseph is alive. I’m going to see him before I die.

Jacob@jacobNo. I’ll go down to the grave mourning my son.