Esau's Revenge

00:00:00 Speaker 1: See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good for one another and for all Verse Thessalonians five point fifteen. Dear Lord, we thank you for the wisdom of your word and the peace it brings to our hearts. You remind us not to return evil for evil, but to seek what is good for all. We confess that at times our hearts are quick to react, defend, or repay hurt with hurt. Forgive us, Lord, and renew our spirits with your grace. Teach us to walk in love even when difficult. Fill us with compassion that overcomes bitterness, and mercy that heals division. Help us to choose goodness when others choose anger. Strengthen us to respond with kindness and patience, trusting that your justice will prevail. Let our words bring peace, and our actions reflect your love. May we be known as people who do good and live with grace. Guide us always to follow after what pleases you. Amen, thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Chosen People. Remain here for a dramatic story inspired by the Bible. Be sure to share this podcast to spread God's message of love. And peace. Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Chosen People. Remain here for a dramatic story inspired by the Bible. Be sure to leave a review and share your journey of faith today. 00:01:42 Speaker 2: Previously on the Chosen People. 00:01:46 Speaker 3: Two nations are in your womb. Two people will come from you and be separated. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger. 00:02:02 Speaker 4: I am sorry, my son, your brother came to sheepfully and took your blessing away. The promise has been given to Jacob. 00:02:14 Speaker 5: That snake. You were right to name him Jacob. He's a deceiver. He's gaway price. 00:02:27 Speaker 4: Jacob, call out, you call. 00:02:33 Speaker 6: You ol Dad. 00:02:40 Speaker 2: He sor drew out his blade and cut his hand. He raised his fist to the air, blood dripping from his palm, down his arm and onto the dirt. 00:02:50 Speaker 5: When Father is God and I put him in the dirt, I will have. 00:03:03 Speaker 4: You think you can fight that man. 00:03:05 Speaker 6: He may be a bear, but I am no lamb. We're twins, and I have just as much fight in my bones as he does. 00:03:13 Speaker 2: Out of the question, I won't be bereft of both of you. 00:03:17 Speaker 4: Go to Laban I will send word to you when I feel it safe. 00:03:21 Speaker 2: Jacob wiped his eyes, who puffed out his chest, then, without looking back, fled into the wilderness. 00:03:31 Speaker 6: My grandfather Abraham once left the comforts of these lands to Canaan. He embarked on an adventure into the unknown, beckoned by a faint promise whispered in the stars. Tonight, we've been given that same call to adventure. We're asked to leave this lamb and step into the unknown. Hear me, Clan of Jacob. Here is my declaration, and God will be with us, just as he was with my father's eyesing. 00:03:59 Speaker 2: And Jacob nodded and turned back to Canaan. He wasn't sure what the future held, No doubt he saw was somewhere out there, stronger and more vengeful. Jacob chose to step forward in faith that the God of his forefathers would protect him. The air was heavy and moist. Fog hovered low over the wet earth. Jacob dismounted his camel and looked around. It was difficult to tell at first, but he was realizing where they were. He turned to his left and saw the monument he had established long ago. When God revealed the staircase to Heaven. Jacob peered through the gloom. He saw silhouettes of warriors walking to and fro. Jacob looked behind him. His family and all his men were clueless as to what was happening. Only Jacob could see that they were in a divine encampment. The angels of God were before them. 00:05:08 Speaker 6: This is God's camp, What did you say, Jacob. 00:05:12 Speaker 2: Jacob turned to his family, his eyes intense with divine knowledge. He didn't consider himself a seer or a prophet like his grandfather, but in this space where the boundaries between Heaven and Earth seemed to blur, Jacob felt the divine spark. He could see what others couldn't. 00:05:31 Speaker 6: This is God's camp, his angels here, I can see them. I'll call this place my name. 00:05:39 Speaker 2: The others exchanged curious looks, wondering if Jacob was mad or had a divine vision. Jacob paid little heed to their skepticism. He left them and stepped into the mist. He walked the camp, watching figures like specters walk to and fro. He wondered if their commander was among them, in of Heaven's armies. He could sense God's presence, but couldn't see him. He strained to see through the mist, but was unable. He walked to the precipice of the hill and looked down. He could see parts of the road sloping down to sea. Jacob's eyes widened. They were in the border lands of Esau. Jacob had received word a few years back that Esau had leveraged his relationships with his wife to gain prominence in Sea. Jacob was surprised to hear his brother had been so clever. Now that he was about to cross the border of his brother's territory, he knew he had to confront him. He had no choice. He had to make amends if it was possible. Jacob shouted for one of his men to come near. He pointed down the road and explained what was happening. 00:06:50 Speaker 6: My brother, Esau is a lord in syr. The last time I saw him, he vowed to kill me. I need you to travel to his village and give him a message. Tell him I've been so journing in the land of Laban until now I have oxen, donkeys and flocks and servants of my own. I haven't come to claim anything from him or take anything. Tell him, did I seek favor in his sight. 00:07:16 Speaker 4: It will be done, my Lord. I will return once I have word back from Esau. 00:07:21 Speaker 6: Be respectful, be patient, be measured. He isn't known for his clear communication. 00:07:28 Speaker 2: Understood, my lord, The messenger left to Esau. Jacob released a deep sigh and closed his eyes. He steadied his breath. Everything in him wanted to avoid Esau. He wanted to slip by unnoticed and divert the conflict. But the time for short fixes was over. Jacob no longer wished to be the trickster. How would he face his destiny if he couldn't even face his brother. The messengers entered the sea borderland. The land was lush with bright green grass and purple wild flowers lacing the border hills. Past the pastures and fences, a village of huts rested between two giant, craggy hills. Behind the village was a vast forest. From the looks of all the antlers and pelts outside the huts, it would seem that it was a village of hunters. Jacob's men reached the middle of the village before being stopped with swords and spears pointed at their throats. 00:08:30 Speaker 4: We've come to speak with esaw on behalf of his brother Jacob. 00:08:34 Speaker 2: They dragged them to a large structure hewn from oak and mortar. Within the great halls were pelts of stags, lions, and bears. Sitting at the center was the chief. He was a large, hairy man, with hands as thick as bare paws. His beard was jet black, thick and braided. Yet the eyes underneath his low brow revealed his identity. He was none than the twin brother of Jacob. Their Lord, why have you come? 00:09:06 Speaker 4: We have come on, behalf of your brother Jacob. He has been sojourning in the land of Laban until now he's returned to dwell in the land of his your father. He has oxen, donkeys, flocks and servants all of his own. He hasn't come to claim anything from you or take anything. He seeks only favor in your sight. 00:09:30 Speaker 5: I have not seen my brother in long time. 00:09:34 Speaker 6: Indeed, I will go to him. 00:09:37 Speaker 4: You will go to him. I'm not sure that's necessary. He's merely going to pass through and only wishes to have peace between the two of you. 00:09:48 Speaker 2: I go, I go now, He so gestured to a few of his men. 00:09:52 Speaker 6: Bring four hundred men, we go see my brother. 00:09:57 Speaker 2: He sa passed the messenger and left the room. He did not say a formal goodbye or indicate his intent The messenger bolted out of the village, only to see Esau stomping down the road with four hundred armed men behind him. The day seemed to drag on forever. Jacob paced up and down his camp, his worry mounting, until his messenger eventually returned. 00:10:23 Speaker 4: My Lord, Jacob, we have news from ESO's camp. 00:10:27 Speaker 6: Did you deliver my message? 00:10:28 Speaker 4: Yes, my lord. His response was simple and stoic. It was difficult to get a read on his intentions until until what what happened? He is coming here to meet you. There are four hundred armed men joining him. 00:10:47 Speaker 2: Jacob's heart quickened, his palms moistened, and his throat clenched. This was his worst fear realized. Did he declare his intentions? 00:10:57 Speaker 7: No, my lord, divide our camp inha I need half the men, servants, livestock, and resources. If Esau plans to attack and raid our camp, at least half will have a chance to escape. 00:11:10 Speaker 4: Yes, my lord, right away. 00:11:12 Speaker 2: Jacob's camp buzz like a fallen beehive. Jacob strode among them, barking, orders in giving commands. 00:11:19 Speaker 6: Half the goats will go with heron the others will follow a sll you there, find the chests of garments and divide them among Rachel's maid service. Ah, I need all my armed men's shoulder to shoulder. We'll divide you all into two companies. 00:11:34 Speaker 2: Jacob took out his sword and secured it to his side. He rolled his shoulders back and steeled himself for a fight. Rachel and the others approached in a panic. 00:11:44 Speaker 6: Jacob, what are we going to do? 00:11:46 Speaker 5: Where will we go? 00:11:48 Speaker 6: You'll come with me for now. If we get a sense of which direction Esau's approaching, I'll send you with the company that's furthest from him. What did you do to this man to make him hate you so much? 00:12:00 Speaker 2: Jacob paused and stared out toward the horizon. Dusk was fast approaching. His mind immediately returned to the day he stole his brother's blessing. He thought back to all his tricks. All of them came at a cost. Now it seemed his family would suffer as well. It pained Jacob to think that his sins would ripple in such a way. Jacob turned to answer his wife. He held her face and kissed her forehead. 00:12:28 Speaker 6: I wanted more. I was willing to do whatever it took to get it. Now I have it, and I fear it will be taken from me. If we are to survive the sight, I must seek God most High. I'll return shortly. 00:12:45 Speaker 2: Jacob marched to a nearby terebinth tree. Its trunk was sturdy as stone, providing a solid base for its wide stretching branches. Jacob felt safe underneath. He prayed that God's protection would cover him like the shadows of the trees branches. 00:13:01 Speaker 6: Oh, God of my father's Abraham and Isaac, it was you who told me to return here to the land of my kin. You told me that there are good things waiting for me, but it would seem that swords and torches await me. 00:13:16 Speaker 2: Jacob fell to his knees and gripped the dirt. For the first time in his life. Jacob prayed with tears, his heart ached for answers from his God. 00:13:27 Speaker 6: I am not worthy of the stepfast, love and faithfulness you've shown me. I've fled across the Jordan with nothing but a staff, and now I have enough to fill two cats. Who am I that you bless me, so please deliver me from the hand of my brother. I fear that he will attack me and my children and their mothers. 00:13:51 Speaker 2: Jacob paused and considered all the promises made to him long ago, the promises made to Abraham and Isaac. He beat his chest and bolt. He called upon God to fulfill his promises. 00:14:03 Speaker 6: Ah, you told me that I'll be great. You told me that my osprey will outnumber the sounds of the sea. If these are the promises you've made, then these are the promises you'll keep. 00:14:14 Speaker 2: Jacob left the shade of the tree and gathered his servants. He instructed them to gather gifts for Esau. Hundreds of rams, goats, bulls, and donkeys. 00:14:23 Speaker 6: You'll split into separate droves and go ahead of me one by one. You'll stop Esau's company to present him with gifts. Each time, deliver the same message. Tell him these gifts are from your servant, Jacob. He's behind us, Yes, Lord Jacob, do not forget to mention that I am his servant. He needs to know I'm contrite and these gifts aren't given to gloat about my resources, but to gain his favor as you wish. 00:14:50 Speaker 2: Lord, Jacob. Jacob sent them off and gathered his family at the base of Mahanaim. 00:14:56 Speaker 5: He looked up. 00:14:57 Speaker 2: The final rays of daylight were fading beneath the horizon. As he watched the sunset, he felt something shift in the air. Someone from God's camp was calling him. This Prey dot Com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger, and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People, Narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwald, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland, Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Leshinsky. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and Chris bag You can hear more Prey dot Com productions on the Prey dot Com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoy Lloyd The Chosen People, please rate and leave a review.