They were definitely outnumbered, and not exactly popular with the neighbors. But then, something amazing happened.
Chapter 35 of the Book of Jasher opens with all the kings of the Amorites gathering. They're trying to figure out what to do about these sons of Jacob. Remember, just a couple of them took down the entire city of Shechem! (Jasher 35:1). Understandably, the Amorites are a little nervous.
But then, a fascinating twist occurs. The Book of Jasher tells us that God heard the prayers of Isaac and Jacob. (Jasher 35:2). And what did He do? He filled the hearts of the kings' advisors with fear! Suddenly, these advisors are saying, "Wait a minute, are you guys crazy? Why would we fight these Hebrews?" (Jasher 35:3).
They remind their kings, "Two of them wiped out Shechem, and no one could stand against them! How are we going to fight all of them?" (Jasher 35:4). It’s almost comical.
The advisors then launch into a litany of reasons why fighting the sons of Jacob is a terrible idea. "Surely you know that their God is exceedingly fond of them," they say, "and has done mighty things for them!" (Jasher 35:5). They recount the miracles of Abraham: his deliverance from Nimrod (Jasher 35:6-7), his victory over the kings of Elam (Jasher 35:8-9), and of course, the Akedah, the binding of Isaac.
They say, "Behold through his love toward his God, Abraham took his only and precious son and intended to bring him up as a burnt offering to his God, and had it not been for God who prevented him from doing this, he would then have done it through his love to his God." (Jasher 35:11)
The advisors remind their kings about the stories of Pharaoh and Abimelech, who both ran into trouble when they messed with Abraham and Sarah (Jasher 35:13). And what about Esau coming after Jacob with four hundred men? (Jasher 35:14). "Who delivered him from his hands but his God in whom he trusted?" (Jasher 35:15).
They even bring up the Shechem incident! "Who does not know that it was their God who inspired them with strength to do to the town of Shechem the evil which you heard of?" (Jasher 35:16). It's like they're saying, "Don't you get it? This isn't just about fighting some guys; it's about fighting their God!" (Jasher 35:19).
The advisors’ arguments are persuasive. The kings of the Amorites are terrified. "When the kings of the Amorites heard all the words of their advisers, their hearts were filled with terror, and they were afraid of the sons of Jacob and would not fight against them." (Jasher 35:21). They turn around and go home (Jasher 35:23). Crisis averted!
The chapter concludes by emphasizing that this all happened because God heard the prayers of Isaac and Jacob. (Jasher 35:24). The sons of Jacob, seeing that no one was coming to fight, also went home (Jasher 35:25).
What’s so striking about this chapter isn’t just the miraculous intervention. It's the way the miracle happens. God doesn't smite the Amorites with lightning bolts. Instead, He works through their own advisors, planting seeds of doubt and fear in their hearts. It's a reminder that sometimes, the greatest miracles come in the form of a change of heart, a shift in perspective, or a sudden realization that maybe, just maybe, fighting isn't always the answer.