The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: A Novel

Chapter 17

Canaanite soil

During the week, Isaac and Rebekah prepare to go down to Beer-lahai-roi because the flocks need grass.

Isaac, before they leave, goes over to Abraham's tent. The old father has aged, so much so that he cannot travel as he used to. He's content, at least.

"Father," says Isaac, "Rebekah will have the children at Beer-Lahai-Roi."

"Ah," answers the old man. "The Well of the Living One who sees me. Hagar... she only got that far when the Angel came to her."

Isaac sighs "I'll... visit you as often as I can." He embraces his father. "I'll surely miss you, father."

"Go, Isaac, with my blessing," says Abraham.

+

Here, Beer-Lahoi-Roi, the twins are both.

Isaac is not in the tent where Rebekah is giving birth. He is chatting with some shepherds out in the field, dotted with the sheep. A maid closes up to Isaac.

Isaac pauses his conversation and asks the maid, "It happened?"

She nods. "It happened."

Isaac nods in turn. "I'll be there shortly."

With that, she hurries away. Isaac smiles. He finally has children!

+

The 60-year-old father circumcises the children on the eighth day. With this comes the namings of the twins.

The first child came out red and hairy.

The second, with smooth skin, was using his tiny hand to grasp the older brother's heel on the foot.

Isaac names the first son, Esau—"hairy".

He names the second Jacob—"heel-holder".

+

A handful of months later, Isaac and Rebekah and some in the Isaac-camp depart for the nearly-100 mile trip up north for the Abraham-camp at Hebron. When they arrive, Isaac hurries to his father's tent, hoping he's still alive.

Yes, he's still alive. And well. They hug each other like father-and-son.

"I hadn't seen Keturah or her children," says Isaac. "Where are they?"

Abraham then says, "Oh, them? I personally gave each of the children gifts, then sent them with Keturah eastward. So that you, Isaac, can take your children here whenever you want. Above all, I want no trouble."

Isaac nods. "I understand." Then he smiles. "Do you want to see your grandchildren?"

"My, yes," says the old man.

So they both slowly exit the tent. Right there is Rebekah, holding the second child Jacob. A maid nearby is holding Esau. So around these two women are the rest of those in the Isaac-camp that had come with Isaac. "Well, well I'll present the firstborn to you first," states Isaac. Then he walks over to the ladies. Abraham slowly follows after.

Isaac takes baby Esau from the maid's arms and sets him onto Abraham's arm. "Oh, so hairy he could easily be mistaken for a fur coat all curled up," comments the old man.

The rest laughs.

Abraham looks into the eyes of Esau. His are a flat "What?"

"Esau," says Isaac. "The child's Esau."

"Esau," echoes the ancient among the group. After a while, he hands the baby back to Isaac, who returns the child into the maid's arms. "Fitting name," says Abraham.