Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

To me, it is the Bible's unvarnished account of both the strengths and flaws of fallible humans (even those who were clearly used of God for the accomplishment of His will and purposes) that gives it a credibility that has endured through the centuries; that continues to speak to us today about both what can be achieved by people who allow God to work through them, as well as what pitfalls to avoid in seeking to serve God; and that nevertheless also does not detract from the positive examples set by those individuals. 

Consider the following examples (in addition to Jacob (Genesis 25-27)):

Noah became drunk, and then cursed his son Ham, who had discovered him lying naked in his tent (Genesis 9:20-27).

Abraham yielded to Sarah's suggestion that he father a child with Hagar (Genesis 16).

As a young man, Joseph appeared to take pleasure in his father Jacob's favoritism; in informing on his brothers to Jacob regarding the brothers' misconduct; and in telling his brothers and his parents of his dreams that seemed to show that they would someday bow down to him, to the point that his brothers hated him and wanted to kill him (Genesis 37:2-11). 

Moses killed a man (Exodus 2:11-12), and was also punished by God for self-glorification (Numbers 20:1-13).

Samson allowed his weakness for women to compromise his service (Judges 16).

David committed adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11-12).

Elijah fled from Ahab, and asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:1-18).

Jonah initially ran from God's call, and then cared more about losing his own credibility than about the welfare of the Ninevites (Jonah 1-4).

Peter denied Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-27).

Paul persecuted the church (Acts 8-9).

March 16 2018 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Worley

My opinion is that indeed Jacob was a thief. But, not in the matter of Esau's birthright. Clearly Esau "sold" Jacob his birthright. Nothing was stolen there.

The continuation of people calling Jacob a thief refers to Genesis 27:1-40. In this story, Rebekah overhears Isaac talking to Esau and tells him to go hunt some game, cook it, and prepare him a meal that he loves with it. Then he will give Esau his blessing. That means, Isaac intended to grant Esau leadership over his people/clan. 

Rebekah wanted Jacob to have the blessing. So, she cooked up some goats, convinced Jacob to dress up like Esau in his clothes so he would smell like Esau, covered his hands and neck with fur from a goat so he would feel like Esau, and fed Isaac the meal she prepared. Jacob was to act like Esau and receive the "blessing." 

Isaac was blind and would rely on those senses to identify people. It almost didn't work since Isaac heard the voice of Jacob and questioned him. But Jacob lied to Isaac and said "I am Esau." Isaac touched him and smelled him and agreed it had to be Esau, and gave Jacob the blessing instead of Esau. Jacob stole Esau's blessing. Jacob, although encouraged by his mother, was a thief. God was with Jacob later on, but things were still less than perfect; in fact, his life was quite messy with deceptions and wife issues in the following chapters. 

So, yes, Jacob was a thief.

June 21 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Paytawn Erskine

When Elohim changed his name to Yishra’el (Israel) he was not considered a deceiver anymore. He was made new.

June 23 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

john frankson

As you are baffled, i am baffled why anybody would consider him anything but a thief. Deceiving his father, so overcome with shame that he has to flee and stay decades away because he is too much of a coward to face his brother, because he knows what he did. And Esau forgave him, what a kind soul.

Keep in mind, today people use Esau as an insult, while excusing Jacob’s shameful trickery.

i guess that’s why we have different religions;) Each to his own.

May 08 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report