How One Preposition Splits Two Ancient Traditions Apart.
Jacob deceives his father. He steals his brother’s blessing. And when Esau comes in weeping, begging for anything his father has left to give, Isaac responds with what your English Bible probably presents as a watered-down version of the same blessing he just gave Jacob.
And if you’re paying attention, that doesn’t make sense.
Isaac himself says in verse 37: “I have made him your lord, and I have given all his brothers to him as servants. I have sustained him with grain and wine. What then can I do for you, my son?”
In other words: I have nothing left to give.
And yet, just two verses later, your Bible might tell you that Isaac blessed Esau with the fatness of the earth and the dew of heaven. The same things he gave Jacob.
Something doesn’t add up.
Unless, of course, the text doesn’t actually say what you think it says.
I was literally thinking about this exact story today! In some sense, I find nothing offensive about God choosing to use Jacob and his bloodline as His vessel instead of Esau and the Edomites, but I am put off by the possible implication that God rejected Esau even before his birth. I understand that Jacob was already promised the inheritance, but was it still wrong for him to achieve it through deception? Was the forgiveness shown to Jacob by Esau a testament to his character and grace, or is that ultimately irrelevant? The story almost reminds me of Cain and Abel, except there seems to be some kind of worldly reconciliation here?
You bring up some big points here that honestly deserve to be wrestled with. I don't believe there are easy answers to these questions.
One point I would encourage you to think about is that since God exists outside the limits of time, is it possible that the "election" of Jacob is no more than God knowing in advance that Jacob would be the one to receive his father's blessing?
Strengthening this possibility is the fact that Jacob later receives his comeuppance in the form of being the victim of Laban's deception. So I don't believe there is any even implication of God approving of Jacob's methods.
Personally, I don't believe the reconciliation is irrelevant. I think it does speak a great deal toward the character is Esau, at least later in his life. Which is further enhanced by the Septuagint rendering of the book of Job, which shows us that Job, who is one of the most righteous humans in the Bible, is the grandson of Esau.
Also (though this is a bit speculative so take it with a grain of salt) do consider the possibility that perhaps Jacob and Esau is the fulfillment of Cain and Able in a similar (though obviously vastly diminished) way to Jesus being the fulfillment of Adam.
I actually found this response somewhat reassuring since you've shown me different perspectives that I've never considered, so thank you, brother. I will continue to study and pray on these matters. I actually don't like when people smooth over the harsher or more obscure passages of Scripture. I do in fact like to wrestle with it, but I also try to keep in mind that all God does, He does in His love, mercy, and wisdom. It's trying to keep a balance between the facts of any given situation and the ultimate Truth underlying everything and not letting the former disturb my peace in the latter. Thank you again.
Also, I bought your introduction to the Septuagint, and it was great. I plan to purchase the full analysis at some point.
I'm glad I've encouraged you to consider alternative views. I've long been convinced that deep study and prayer is the best way to approach the hard questions in Scripture.
Not accepting the smoothing over of the difficulties is honestly a lot of what led me to start doing this work.
You're welcome! I'm glad you're finding value in this work. God bless.
I was literally thinking about this exact story today! In some sense, I find nothing offensive about God choosing to use Jacob and his bloodline as His vessel instead of Esau and the Edomites, but I am put off by the possible implication that God rejected Esau even before his birth. I understand that Jacob was already promised the inheritance, but was it still wrong for him to achieve it through deception? Was the forgiveness shown to Jacob by Esau a testament to his character and grace, or is that ultimately irrelevant? The story almost reminds me of Cain and Abel, except there seems to be some kind of worldly reconciliation here?
You bring up some big points here that honestly deserve to be wrestled with. I don't believe there are easy answers to these questions.
One point I would encourage you to think about is that since God exists outside the limits of time, is it possible that the "election" of Jacob is no more than God knowing in advance that Jacob would be the one to receive his father's blessing?
Strengthening this possibility is the fact that Jacob later receives his comeuppance in the form of being the victim of Laban's deception. So I don't believe there is any even implication of God approving of Jacob's methods.
Personally, I don't believe the reconciliation is irrelevant. I think it does speak a great deal toward the character is Esau, at least later in his life. Which is further enhanced by the Septuagint rendering of the book of Job, which shows us that Job, who is one of the most righteous humans in the Bible, is the grandson of Esau.
Also (though this is a bit speculative so take it with a grain of salt) do consider the possibility that perhaps Jacob and Esau is the fulfillment of Cain and Able in a similar (though obviously vastly diminished) way to Jesus being the fulfillment of Adam.
I actually found this response somewhat reassuring since you've shown me different perspectives that I've never considered, so thank you, brother. I will continue to study and pray on these matters. I actually don't like when people smooth over the harsher or more obscure passages of Scripture. I do in fact like to wrestle with it, but I also try to keep in mind that all God does, He does in His love, mercy, and wisdom. It's trying to keep a balance between the facts of any given situation and the ultimate Truth underlying everything and not letting the former disturb my peace in the latter. Thank you again.
Also, I bought your introduction to the Septuagint, and it was great. I plan to purchase the full analysis at some point.
I love that!
I'm glad I've encouraged you to consider alternative views. I've long been convinced that deep study and prayer is the best way to approach the hard questions in Scripture.
Not accepting the smoothing over of the difficulties is honestly a lot of what led me to start doing this work.
You're welcome! I'm glad you're finding value in this work. God bless.