Jacob was the twin brother of Esau (Gen. 25:24) from Isaac and Rebekah. His life was very much a roller coaster. Arguably the most memorable thing about Jacob was his deceitful scheme against his brother. Jacob’s name means “who schemes to take the place of another” (27:36) (Student Bible Dictionary-Dockery, 2000). In the bible, names have major significance and are flags for attention. For instance, this flag will appear again when Jacob’s name is changed to Israel (32:28) meaning “God’s fighter” or “strives with God” (Macarthur Study Bible-ESV, 2010). Anyway, Isaac was getting very old and he asked his son Esau, who was a skilled hunter, if he could go out and catch some game for him to eat. After doing so, he would bless him (27:1-4). While Esau (also Edom-see book of Obadiah) was out hunting, Jacob made himself appear to be him with the help of his mother (27:5-27). In result, Isaac ended up blessing Jacob instead of Esau (27:27-29) which made Esau furious and hated Jacob (27:41). The fact that he received the birthright through deception is not justifiable even though he was indeed blessed (27:33) because it was already prophetically decided who would have it (25:23). Jacob did not have to plot against his brother in order for God’s sovereign purpose to be fulfilled. As a result, his sin did not go unpunished. His actions had consequences. One, his mother had to send him away (27:42-44) and he never saw her again. His brother Esau wanted him dead (27:41). His uncle Laban whom his mother advised he live with deceived him by having him labor seven only to give him purposely the daughter contrary to their agreement (29:18-26). Laban’s scheme allowed him to get seven more years of labor out of Jacob before finally having his desired wife Rachel (29:27-28). He and Esau remained in conflict with each other as well as within their descendants throughout the bible. However, the covenant promised to Abraham was confirmed with Jacob and not Esau (28:10-15). He was blessed with thirteen children consisting of one girl, Dinah, and twelve boys (29:31-30:24, 35:16-18). His sons formed the 12 tribes known as the children of Israel from whom the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would come forth (49:10; Num. 24:17).
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