Jacob's Escape

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the Chosen people. 00:00:04 Speaker 2: I'll serve you for seven more years. That should be more than enough for your youngest daughter, Rachel's and in marriage. 00:00:12 Speaker 3: Oh yes, well, I suppose it's better I give her to you were kinsman than another dog from another clan wanted to swap rocks and land. You have yourself a deal. 00:00:31 Speaker 1: It had been seven years since his agreement with Larbon. He had worked tirelessly, expanding Larbin's flocks sevenfold. 00:00:40 Speaker 2: Leah, what are you doing here? 00:00:43 Speaker 4: I was with you last night, Jacob. Don't you remember that treacherous snake? 00:00:49 Speaker 3: They be tricked me, Jacob, Jacob, you know better. I knew you wouldn't take Leah for a bride price of seven years. I did what I had to do. This way, I get to marry off my eldest daughter, and you worked my fields for far more years than she's war It's a win win. Well by that, of course, I mean that I win twice. 00:01:19 Speaker 1: Jacob sobered immediately. He understood who he was dealing with. Now they were cut from the same cloth. The trickster had been tricked. Jacob was angry, but he couldn't avoid the irony. Jacob expanded his lineage larger than his forefathers could ever imagine eleven sons to bear the promise given to Abraham and Isaac. Yet the house of Jacob had a foundation built on pettiness, favoritism, and jealousy. Jacob did nothing to thwart the coiling weeds of discord choking out the life of his wives and children. Jacob reclined at the table opposite Larban. His father in law's voice nearly shook the earth when he spoke. Jacob could feel the base of Laban's laughter deep in his chest. At first, Laban's charisma was charming to Jacob, but over the years and four wives later, Jacob grew tired of the show. Larban took up too much space for Jacob to truly grow. He longed to be in the land of his forefathers and to seize the birthright he won from Esau. Leaving Haroon wouldn't be easy. Larban had a tight grip on his daughter's even after Jacob had married them. Furthermore, Larban's wealth had increased nearly tenfold since Jacob arrived. Larban considered him something of a good luck charm. Jacob had to be discreet and clever if he was to leave peacefully. 00:02:55 Speaker 3: Jacob, tomorrow, I'd like you to take the flocks past the western We have guests coming to Grays from the east, and I prefer not to confuse our sheep with theirs. 00:03:06 Speaker 2: That sounds reasonable, I'll have the shepherd boys prepare first thing in the morning. 00:03:12 Speaker 3: Ah, excellent, my dear boy. Now tell me how are my sweet daughters and grandchildren? 00:03:20 Speaker 2: Chaotic and unpredictable? As usual? 00:03:23 Speaker 1: Jacob shrugged. His household was overflowing with tears, broken bones, and spilled milk. His twelve children, mostly boys, were all under eighteen. The boys fought with their fists, the wives fought with their tongues, and his sweet daughter Dinah would rarely cease crying because of it all. It was a messy life, but it was Jacob's life. Nonetheless, in the back of his mind, Jacob blamed Laban for all of it. All he had wanted was to marry Rachel, enjoy a few years of peace, then return to Canaan. But Larban's tricks created a domino effect of backbiting chaos and an endless flow of children. Jacob now had wealth, four wives, and twelve children, but no actual property to sustain it, or all orchestrated by jolly old Laban, his dear father in law. 00:04:19 Speaker 3: You should thank me for having so many sons. Without our little agreement with Leah, you'd only have one son to your name. Look at how blessed you. 00:04:28 Speaker 2: Are now, Yes, blessed. Indeed, speaking of which, Layban, I have something I want to discuss. 00:04:38 Speaker 1: Laban lee back and sipped his cup. His eyes narrowed and his wide smile shrank into a slight smirk. 00:04:47 Speaker 2: I'd like to return home to my home country. Allow me to leave with my wives and children. I've served you the full fourteen years of our arrangement, and then more to build enough of my own wealth here. Now that Rachel has borne child, I feel this season of our lives has ended. 00:05:04 Speaker 1: Laban drew a long, deep breath and pondered. Jacob studied his eyes. Laban rarely betrayed his inner thoughts, but Jacob had become adept at reading him. Jacob knew that Laban was calculating the loss. The big man leaned forward, coup twirling in hand. 00:05:25 Speaker 3: In the past twenty years, my livestock has increased, My family's wealth has doubled. And the land has been rich with crops ha It almost seems too good to be true. So I found some gods. I sought to know the answer through divination. A seer revealed the answer to me in the dark sands and bone. 00:05:52 Speaker 2: And what did this divination reveal to you? 00:05:56 Speaker 3: That your God has blessed me because of your press. All I have gained in these past two decades are because of you. 00:06:05 Speaker 2: My dear Laban. You didn't need the occult to show you such things. That was the blessing given to my grandfather Abraham. Whoever blesses me will be blessed. 00:06:16 Speaker 3: Indeed, it's true. So, dear Jacob, because I owe you a debt of gratitude, name your wages and I will give it. 00:06:26 Speaker 2: Was it that easy? 00:06:28 Speaker 1: Jacob wondered at Labin for a moment. He was in his nature to be agreeable at first and then dastardly in the margins between promises made and promises kept. Jacob needed to be sent off with his family as peacefully as possible. 00:06:42 Speaker 2: You know, I've put the most effort into your lifestock. You only had a little before I came, but it's increased tenfold since then. All I ask is that you provide me with enough for my household to start. 00:06:55 Speaker 3: So what shall I give you? 00:06:57 Speaker 2: You don't need to give me anything. Pass to your flock and remove all the blemished ones from the herd. I'll take the spotted sheep that, the black lambs, and the speckled goats. They'll be my wages. This serves you in two ways. First, you'll know I'm dealing honestly with you, since the animals will be easy to identify. Second, you'll have purer herds left for you when I leave. It'll increase the value of your herd tremendously. 00:07:25 Speaker 3: Ah, yes, this is good. Let it be as you have said. 00:07:30 Speaker 1: Larban reached out his arm and linked it with Jacob's. Jacob hid his smile. Larban wrongly assumed that the trick with Leo was water under the bridge. It wasn't, and Jacob was determined to remind Larbin who the real trickster was. Larban removed all the black, blemished, spotted, and striped livestock from his flocks. He counted each of them, insuring none were left unaccounted for. He then put them in the care of his sons while Jacob led Larban's herd for one final graze. He left a three days journey between himself and Larban, ensuring there was no chance for the flocks to intermingle. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi were with Jacob padding behind him like pups. Jacob led them to a far off pasture beside a dense forest. 00:08:19 Speaker 2: Boys, I want you to go into the forest and retrieve some branches for me. I need fresh sticks from poplar, almond and plane trees. 00:08:28 Speaker 1: The boys did as they were told, running deep into the forest, tripping each other along the way. They returned with the branches. Jacob observed them, nodded in approval, and began breaking them into smaller pieces. 00:08:42 Speaker 2: Your grandfather, Layban has been close to the city for too long. He's forgotten some of the finer art and husbandry. It isn't just about keeping the sheep safe and fed. You must be intentional with how they're bred. You need to understand when they're and heat, how they shooes mates, and what makes them fertile. 00:09:03 Speaker 1: As Jacob explained these things, he tossed the branches into the sheep's watering trough. 00:09:09 Speaker 2: I've spent years preparing every sheep in Laban's flock. I know which traits skip generations, and how to make certain sheep breed with those hidden traits. Soon this flock will multiply with spotted, freckled, and striped sheep, all for us to take back home. Currently, our flock back at camp is half the size of Laban's. By the time we leave, it'll be double. 00:09:33 Speaker 1: The sheep came to drink, and a satisfied grin curled on Jacob's face. 00:09:38 Speaker 2: Another thing Laban does not realize is that I have the favor of God passed down to me from my father and his father. He revealed this plan to me in a dream. God's guidance and man's diligence. This is the way of our people. Watch and learn, my sons. When we return to Canaan, you'll need to know all these things. 00:10:03 Speaker 3: Here he's a snake in the grass. Jacob's been taking from our father, right under our noses. 00:10:11 Speaker 1: Jacob leaned against the low walls separating him from Laban's men. They were young and fiery, worried that Jacob's increased wealth was due to theft. 00:10:20 Speaker 2: I haven't stolen anything. It's Laban's foolishness that's caught them into trouble. I can't have that hatred boiling until it's too late. It's time to leave now. 00:10:31 Speaker 1: Then everything narrowed, the sounds of the people muted, and the smells of fire and filled pots disappeared. Everything was silent still. Then in the deep chambers of Jacob's heart, the voice of his god echoed. 00:10:49 Speaker 2: Return to the land of your father's and your kin go, for I will be with you. 00:10:57 Speaker 1: All Jacob's senses returned. Jacob stealed his will and slipped back to his camp, unnoticed by Lavin's men. He gathered Rachel and Leah to himself, pacing back and forth as he worked up the courage to speak. 00:11:14 Speaker 2: Ever since I told your father about my intentions to leave, he's grown cold. I fear his men are fueling his eye toward me. 00:11:22 Speaker 5: He has grown quite agitated as of late. 00:11:25 Speaker 4: It may have something to do with all those sheep, Jacob, You've provoked him. 00:11:30 Speaker 2: The God of my father has been with me. That is why our wealth has increased. While I am shrewd with my resources. Your father has exhausted his and spent frivolously. 00:11:41 Speaker 5: Huh, He's spent a great deal of money on those shrines of his They're his tools for divination. All of the inheritance that was owed to Leah and me was wasted on those silly statues. 00:11:55 Speaker 2: He's unhinged and unpredictable. You know, I've served your father with all my strength, yet he's cheated me ten times over. He's changed the terms of our agreement too many times to count. Each time I've ended up gaining more. 00:12:09 Speaker 4: How is that exactly? How have you outsmarted our father? 00:12:13 Speaker 2: I haven't outsmarted him. God has. And now it's time we leave for the land he's promised to me. Will you go with me? Are we in this together? 00:12:24 Speaker 1: Leah and Rachel looked at each other. The situation demanded they agree. For the first time in nearly two decades. Rachel and Leah exchange looks of understanding. 00:12:35 Speaker 5: There's nothing left for us here. Our father has regarded us as foreigners. He has left us nothing. 00:12:42 Speaker 4: Whatever you've gained is our gain. To whatever God asks you to do, we will follow. 00:12:48 Speaker 1: Jacob wanted to hug and kiss them both, but decided not to. There were moments when the strangeness of their situation dawned on him, and now was one of those moments. The awkward feeling then commanded some men to mount their camels. Leah and Rachel prepared the children, while Zilpah and Bellah gathered all their belongings. The clouds parted like curtains to give moonlight to Jacob's camp. Jacob hustled, collapsing every last tent and locking every last chest. Bags were loaded onto wagons, and camels were loaded with his children's belongings. Every child had a camel, all but Joseph tied securely to Rachel's chest. In the flurry of preparation, Rachel meanded into her father's room. He had been gone for the night for shearing. There, sitting atop a wooden shrine with the idols of divination, contempt for her father boiled deep within her. Those idols were a symbol of Laban's indifference towards his children and the vain cultish beliefs he'd become enslaved too. In defiance, Rachel swiped the idols from the altar and put them in her bag. With a torch in one hand and the reins of his camel in another, Jacob turned to his wives, children, servants, and men, looking at all gathered in one place made him realize how vast his wealth had become. He had a loyal caravan of family and friends ready to follow him into the Negev. 00:14:20 Speaker 2: None of you have seen what I have seen. None of you know the riches of Canaan or the nectar of the land. You've never met my father Isaac. Nor have you heard of Abraham. But you've seen me. You've seen how my God has blessed me. Some of you know all too well that my God has blessed me despite my own foolishness and pride. 00:14:43 Speaker 1: Jacob stole a glance at his wives, who knew intimately Jacob's follies and failures. They had bore witness to his floors, but had seen God work despite them, which fueled their trust. 00:14:55 Speaker 2: 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 and to night. We've been given that same call to adventure. We're asked to leave this land and step into the unknown. Hear me, Clan of Jacob. Here is my declaration that God will be with us just as he was with my fathers, Isaac and Abraham. 00:15:25 Speaker 1: The crowd irrupted in cheers. Jacob raised his torch high into the air. Chills covered his body. He finally felt like a leader. He felt like he had the potential for greatness. He pulled at the reins of his camel and turned toward the Euphrates. His course was set toward the hill country of Gilead. Larban was only a day's journey behind Jacob, breathing threats of death into the cold night air as he galloped over the sands with a small army behind him. 00:16:00 Speaker 3: I'll have that trader's head on a pike. He took my tatters, I will and my gods. 00:16:06 Speaker 1: His men were gaining on them, and settled for one more night in the desert. 00:16:11 Speaker 3: Tomorrow, I'll have my revenge. 00:16:15 Speaker 1: Larban fell asleep under the stars, head heavy on his pillow, fantasizing about driving a spear through Jacob's throat. However, in the dead of night, the god of Jacob appeared to Laban in a dream. Laban saw visions of Jacob and his grandchildren huddled in a circle, and Laban's men closed in with spears. Then the stars in the sky fell upon Laban, and a voice that sounded like thunder boomed. Be careful how you deal with Jacob. 00:16:47 Speaker 2: Mind your words, whether good or bad. 00:16:52 Speaker 1: Laban awoke in fright, poking up and around him. It was only a dream, but Laban realized that harming Jacob would come at a great cost to him. Jacob woke in a panic. The braying of camels and the clamoring of men caused Jacob to leap out of his tent with his sword drawn. His men were awake as well. Swords of the ready dawns. Candescent glare beamed behind the intruders, hiding their faces, but Jacob could see the glimmering of their spears. He squinted, straining to get a gauge on the situation, but everything became clear when he heard a shouting voice. 00:17:30 Speaker 2: Jacob, you doll, Layben, keep your swords drawn. 00:17:38 Speaker 1: Laban dismounted his camel. His broad chest was puffed out in rage. He postured himself as he skulked forward. Jacob returned the posture, standing straight with his shoulders back. People rarely thought of Jacob as a large man, but he was. He was a man of wit. First but when push came to shove, he'd fight. His grandfather had taught him that there were moments when you couldn't run, you had to face your enemy's head on. When Jacob was younger, he would have shifted his feet to flee, But now with his family behind him, Jacob readied himself. 00:18:16 Speaker 2: Leave Laban. 00:18:17 Speaker 3: Now, why have you done this to me? After all I have done for you? This is how you repay me. You've tricked me. 00:18:27 Speaker 2: It's no more than you deserve. 00:18:29 Speaker 3: Laban. You denied me a chance to kiss my daughters and grandchildren goodbye. I could have sent you away with songs and feasts. You were a fool to leave the way you did. It is my right to do your harm for what you've done. 00:18:47 Speaker 1: Larban stepped forward, and all of Jacob's men readied themselves. Jacob gripped his sword tightly and planted his feet. Laban looked around. His brow was furrowed with a mixture of rage. 00:18:59 Speaker 2: And I should kill you, Jacob, But the god. 00:19:04 Speaker 6: Of your father spoke to me last night in a dream. 00:19:08 Speaker 2: She mourned me not to harm you, so I won't. That's a wise choice. 00:19:16 Speaker 6: I understand why you fled the way you did. But why take my household gods? What are they to you? Why steal from me more than you already have. 00:19:27 Speaker 1: Jacob cocked his head to the side in confusion. He looked around, scanning the faces of his men. He turned back to Labin with a confused look. 00:19:38 Speaker 2: Layban, I fled because I was afraid you would take your daughters back by force. Judging by the spears pointed at me, it seems my fears were warranted. But as for your idols, I don't know what you're talking about. If any of my men have stolen your gods, their lives, are yours to take? Search all our tents. 00:19:58 Speaker 1: Rachel's eyes widened. The idols were in her pack, right underneath her. Larban stepped forward, face to face with Jacob, his nostrils flared like a bull's. 00:20:10 Speaker 3: Very well, let's have a look. 00:20:12 Speaker 1: Then Larbon started with Jacob's tent. He rummaged through all his belongings, paying little attention to putting things back where they belonged. No idols. He went into Lea's tent and found nothing. He did the same with Rachel's and all the others. When he passed by Rachel, she was sitting, not standing. He grunted, you. 00:20:34 Speaker 3: Won't even stand for your own father. 00:20:37 Speaker 5: Forgive me father. The way of the woman is upon me. I fear if I stand to greet you, it would be a mess. If you'd like, I can stand here, let me ah. 00:20:50 Speaker 3: I know my gods are somewhere around your Jacob. You're a thief and a coward. 00:20:54 Speaker 1: Larbon pushed judor aside to get into his tent, but Jacob stopped him and shouted. 00:21:00 Speaker 2: Enough, Layban, you surround me like I'm a criminal, but I want you to list an actual offense against me. What is my sin? You felt through all my goods and found nothing? Yes, but don't interrupt me. You're in my camp and I will speak. 00:21:15 Speaker 1: Everyone fell silent. Jacob's voice suddenly seemed deeper and more palpable. He was tired of being underestimated and pushed around by Larban. For years, he had endured Larban's nonsense on behalf of his family, but no longer. 00:21:32 Speaker 2: For nearly twenty years, I've been with you, Your youes and female goats have never miscarried, and I haven't eaten a single ram from your flock. I never told you when a predator took one of your flock. Instead, I took from my own flock to a place what you lost? Did you know that Layban? 00:21:49 Speaker 1: Larban was silent, simmering in a mixture of embarrassment and rage. Jacob continued, now circling. 00:21:57 Speaker 2: Larban gave no mercy while I was working under you. If something was stolen from me, day and night, you required me to pay it back. So there I stood, day and night, ever watchful for you. The heat of the day, consumably the cold of the night, shook my bones. I served you for fourteen years, for your two daughters, six years for your flock. You changed my wages six times because you were in mountains of debt. If the God of my father's had not been on my side, you would have already sent me away with nothing. But God is with me. Amen. You know this because he rebuked you last night. If he can carve his way into your dreams and make me rich despite your cruelty, what else do you think he's capable of. 00:22:48 Speaker 1: Larbon looked around. His men had lowered their spears in submission to Jacob. His daughters were behind him, looking at him like a monster. Laban's body uncor and he rolled his shoulders back with an unclenched jaw lb and threw his spear onto the ground and extended an arm to Jacob. 00:23:11 Speaker 3: We have ward you and I. We've struggled against each other. 00:23:16 Speaker 7: But but now I see that we have everything in common. Your wives are my daughters, Your children are my grandchildren. Your flocks came from my flocks. Our lives have grown intertwined. 00:23:35 Speaker 3: Ah, I propose a covenant between us that everyone bear witness that we can be unified and at peace. 00:23:43 Speaker 1: Jacob peered at Laban, searching his eyes for his true intentions. He seemed genuine, and, although Jacob loathed to admit it, their lives were indeed bound to each other. Jacob turned to his men and shouted. 00:23:59 Speaker 2: Now that stones. My people established monuments to remember events like these, will gather stones as a testament to our covenant. 00:24:10 Speaker 1: Jacob's men and his oldest sons gathered and stacked stones between Jacob and Laban. With each stone, the anger between the two quelled. 00:24:20 Speaker 3: My people call this place Jagar Sahadutha. 00:24:25 Speaker 2: My people call this place Gilead. 00:24:28 Speaker 3: It's new names shall be the lead and misper. 00:24:33 Speaker 2: May God most High judge between us today. 00:24:36 Speaker 3: If you abuse my daughters or take wives besides my daughters, God will be a witness between us and I vow to not cross the threshold of this pillar to pursue or harm you. 00:24:48 Speaker 1: The two placed their hands on the pillars and swore by the God of Abraham. They made a sacrifice on the hill and enjoyed a meal together in the morning, love and kiss his grandchildren goodbye, and went his way. Jacob watched Laban disappear into the sun soaked horizon, his face aglow from dawn's light. Jacob nodded and turned back to Canaan. He wasn't sure what the future held, no doubt Esau was somewhere out there, stronger and more vengeful. Jacob chose to step forward in faith that the God of his forefathers would protect him. This prey Dog comproduction is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabager and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People, narrated by Paul Coltefianu. 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 Baig. You can hear more Prey dot Com productions on the Prey dot Com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google play Store. 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