Rebekah went to the chest and picked it up. The sacred writings were safe. They would be preserved. They would be added to. Jacob would write of God’s doings all the days of his life. He would write as a prophet, and in due time would pass the birthright on to the right son. Maybe the firstborn. Maybe not. It wasn’t a matter of law. It was a matter of worthiness.

And I, what of my worthiness? What of my vow never to lie to anyone I loved? What of my promises to my husband that I would be his eyes and tell him truthfully all that I saw? Those vows never even came to my mind during all the hours that I worked to prepare Jacob to deceive his father. Only now, when the Lord has made it come out right, only now do I remember my promises.

I have no business holding these holy writings. Jacob was chosen, and in the end, the birthright went to the right son. But not because of my deception of my husband. No, the Lord spoke to Isaac and told him which son to give the blessing to. I should have known that he would do that. I should have trusted God, as Jacob begged me to do.

Where is Deborah? How could I have sent her away? She’s the one who loves me even when I’ve broken my promises. Even when I don’t deserve to be loved, she loves me.

Rebekah set down the chest and walked toward her tent through the blear of her tears. She was nearly there when she heard Isaac call out for her. “Rebekah, where are you! Rebekah! Can you hear me!”

“Mother!” called Jacob.

I don’t want to talk to you, she thought. I don’t want to face either of you, after what I did.

And then she remembered—she had to see them. She had an urgent piece of information to tell them. She had heard Esau’s threat, and she had to warn Jacob that he needed to leave Beersheba until Esau’s rage cooled.

Haran, she thought. He must go to Haran. It’s past time for him to marry. In Haran, he can go to my brother’s house and Laban will help him find a wife among our kindred there. Laban will take him in, for my sake. He’ll be safe there, out of Esau’s reach until a time comes when they can come together peacefully.

The whole thing was so clear in her mind. And she realized: Of course it’s clear. It comes from God. Just as it was a gift of God when I heard the words of Esau’s heart. His lips said nothing, but God let me hear the warning.

Was this how it was for Sarah, when she knew she had to send Ishmael away to save baby Isaac’s life? God’s hand was in it. Thank God Sarah had faith enough to hear, and to obey.