The Gate of Heaven by Gilbert Morris Page A

everything Esau hands him. I don’t know what’ll become of him when the master dies.”
    â€œThat won’t be too long, I wouldn’t think. He’s doin’ poorly, ain’t he?”
    â€œYes, he is. Almost blind now, but Jacob’s got his mama. They’ve always been close.”
    â€œIt’d be better if Jacob and Isaac were close, I’m thinkin’. We’d all be better off if he was the one to inherit,” Hezbod grunted.
    Bethez shook her head. “Will never happen, though. That silly old man still thinks the world of Esau. He’s always been fooled by that boy—expecting great things, but he’s the only one who does.”
    â€œGive me some more of that wine,” Hezbod said moodily. “I ain’t drunk enough yet….”

    Jacob had been sitting with his parents when Esau’s wives burst in. Basemath was shouting so loudly that Jacob leaned back. She was a short, chunky woman with brown hair tied up by a thong, and her nose was bleeding.
    â€œWhat happened, Basemath?” Rebekah asked.
    â€œYou know what happened. That son of yours hit me. Why didn’t you raise him right?”
    Judith, Esau’s first wife, spoke up. She was a tall woman, strongly built, and with an arrogant look on her face. “I told you to leave him alone, Basemath. You knew what would happen when you started picking at him.”
    â€œI’ll wait until he’s asleep, and then I’ll pour boiling water on him, that’s what I’ll do!” Basemath screamed.
    â€œNow, just a minute. You can’t do that,” Rebekah said. “What brought the argument on?”
    â€œI asked him to take me to town, and he said he wouldn’t do it. Look at these clothes. He could buy me something decent to wear, but he won’t. And it’s all your fault, Rebekah.”
    Jacob reached over and put his hand on his father’s shoulder. Isaac had dropped his head in anguish, and Jacob knew that he was a sick man and wanted nothing but peace and quiet. Jacob squeezed his shoulder and whispered, “I’ll get rid of them.”
    Getting to his feet, Jacob said, “Father’s not feeling well. Come along. I’ll listen to your complaints.”
    â€œYou!” Basemath snorted. “What can you do?”
    Jacob’s voice flared in anger. “I can explain to you what good manners are! Evidently your parents forgot that part of your upbringing.” He dragged her out of the tent as she screamed and clawed at him. Jacob was not the powerful man his brother was, but he was still stronger than most. He clamped his hand down onto Basemath’s arm until she began to whimper. “Now, stop this! There’s nothing my mother can do, and certainly nothing my father can do. Go back to your tent and behave yourself.”
    Judith was following beside them. “You ought to know better than to cross him, Basemath. Come on. I told you it wouldn’t do any good to come here.”
    Jacob was glad to see the two stalk off, and he went back into the tent. For some time he spoke with his father, who was shaking badly from the uproar. Jacob finally got him calmed down, and Rebekah led him off to help him into bed. When she had him settled, she came back and shook her head. With misery in every line of her face, she said, “Your father and I told Esau he shouldn’t marry those Hittite girls.”
    â€œEverybody told him, but you know Esau. He won’t listen to anyone.”
    Rebekah reached up and pushed a lock of Jacob’s hair back from his forehead. “I want you to marry a Hebrew girl, son. Not one of the wicked women from this country.”
    â€œMother, I’m not likely to marry anyone. I can’t afford it.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?”
    â€œYou know what I’m talking about. Esau will have control of everything, and he doesn’t have any affection for me.” Jacob