The road to Amman goes through some beautiful country--large valleys, hills filled with olive orchards and magnificent vistas.
We travel this road a LOT!
In one area the road slopes down, passes between two mountains and then crosses over the ancient Jabbok river.
In Genesis when Jacob took his wives and left to go back to Canaan his father-in-law Laban was not happy. Laban chased after Jacob and they had a big "discussion" by this river about the unfair way Jacob had been treated. The two men settled their differences, and Laban left peacefully.
This was not the end of Jacob's worries. Twenty years earlier he had fled Cannan when his brother Esau threatened to kill him. Now Jacob was scared to death to go back. He sent his servants ahead and they returned with the news that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men. That night Jacob prayed fervently for help and the Lord told him "I will do thee good." The next day Jacob started sending presents to Esau--goats, sheep, camels, cattle and servants to say nice things. Then he sent his wives and sons away and waited alone for Esau.
While Jacob was waiting an angel came to him and they wrestled most of the night. Jacob asked for a blessing and was given a new name--Israel.
In the morning Jacob bowed himself to the ground seven times when Esau approached. Then Esau ran to meet him and "embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him: and they wept."
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