Though I don’t see God supporting an ends-justifies-the-means type of living, I do see God honoring a heart that desires what He desires and a soul that’s willing to persevere through trials to receive those godly yearnings.
I’ve heard many people describe Jacob (from Jacob and Esau) as nothing more than a tricky liar and deceiver. Oh, sure, they’ll acknowledge that God chose him over his older brother Esau, and sometimes they’ll mention that Jacob seemed to improve by the end of the story. But the most common narrative I’ve heard or read centers solely on Jacob unfairly and unrighteously taking what belonged to Esau.
I think that’s an unfair and inaccurate narrative that misses an important point.
In Genesis 32:28, when Jacob met God face to face, God told Jacob how He viewed his life: “He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed’” (NASB).
The word "striven" can also be translated as “to persist, exert oneself, persevere.” To prevail carries the idea of having power, succeeding, or gaining victory.
In other words, it seems God saw Jacob as someone who persevered with Him throughout his life and succeeded. If we look at Jacob through this lens, we see someone who desired the promises, blessings, and presence of God. We see a man who struggled to obtain those good longings and never gave up.
Heel-Grabber
The biblical narrative of Jacob’s life begins before his birth. Rebekah, Jacob’s mother, was barren, so she and her husband Isaac prayed for a child. The Lord gave them twins. Those brothers began fighting in the womb. This was so uncomfortable that Rebekah asked God what was going on.
“The Lord said to her, ‘Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.’” Genesis 25:23 (NASB)
Although the social laws of the day indicated the oldest son would lead the family and inherit everything (the blessing, land, possessions), God said those blessings and authority would go to the younger son.
Esau was born first, with Jacob right behind, holding onto Esau’s heel (v. 26).
Some Bibles, like the NASB, have a notation that tells us the name Jacob means “one who takes by the heel or supplants.” Most commentaries describe Jacob’s newborn action as an attempt to hold his brother back so he could be born first. Preachers and writers speak of this behavior as though it were a sneaky, selfish effort to gain control. They define Jacob’s entire life through this interpretation. Yet, this raises questions. If he truly was capable of such complex thoughts and motivations as a newborn, why did he want that position? How do we know his desire for family authority was selfish rather than honest, selfless, and God-given, especially since God had already declared its reality?
However, there’s also a lesser-known view on Jacob’s name that comes from a Jewish commentary. It says (emphasis mine), “By folk etymology, the name is here derived from Hebrew ʿakev, “heel.” In reality, Hebrew yaʿakav stems from a Semitic root ʿ-k-v, ‘to protect.’ It is abbreviated from a fuller form with a divine name or epithet as its subject. Yaʿakov-ʾel, ‘May El protect,’ is a name that has turned up several times in cuneiform texts over a wide area. The name Jacob is thus, in origin, a plea for divine protection of the newly born—most appropriate for the one who was to live his entire life in the shadow of danger.”1
So, was Jacob named as a description of a deceitful character, or as a prayer to God for his protection? Does the way we define the actions of Jacob’s birth change the way we perceive his character?
A Peaceful Man
Genesis 25:27 tells us something significant about Jacob’s life and character: “When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents” (NASB).
Esau was gone a lot. We later learn he married foreign women, possibly without his parents’ consent or blessing, since we’re told this behavior displeased and grieved them (Genesis 26:34-35, 28:8-9).
Meanwhile, Jacob is described as a peaceful man. This word can also mean completeness or integrity. Other translations use the words "mild," "quiet," or "plain." Each carries the idea of someone who is a good, reputable man. He stayed close to home and probably knew the people and their problems far better than Esau did. Is it any wonder he’d want to be the one to lead them?
Proper Priorities
The birthright came with privileges and responsibilities. It was a spiritual and material inheritance. The firstborn son was considered as belonging to God. As other stories throughout the Bible show us, the birthright wasn’t guaranteed to remain with the oldest son. The father could decide to give it to another son. Other Near Eastern writings from that time tell us that the heir could sell his birthright. This was what happened in Genesis 25:29-34.
Most scholars suggest that Jacob tricked Esau out of his birthright, but the transaction seems pretty straightforward.
-Esau asked Jacob for food.
-Jacob stated his price, the birthright.
-Esau declared food was more important and agreed to the trade.
-Jacob demanded an oath as proof of payment.
-Esau made the oath.
-The transaction was complete.
Esau was so focused on solving a physical problem in the fastest way he could that he showed no regard for something with spiritual significance.
After he sold his birthright, Esau “ate and drank, and rose and went on his way” (v. 34). At that moment, the trade didn’t seem to bother him. It was only later, when his dad was dying and Esau realized Jacob had received the blessing, that Esau exhibited any kind of regret. He accused Jacob of taking the birthright and attributed him with the more negative meaning of his name: supplanter. However, the Bible’s commentary on this food-for-birthright exchange places the blame on Esau. “Thus Esau despised his birthright” (v. 34).
Jacob valued what Esau despised. He wanted the birthright, even though he’d have to wait to receive its full benefits.
An Obedient Deception
It’s interesting to note that Rebekah was the one who orchestrated the big blessing deception and offered to take the blame.
-Rebekah overheard Isaac talking to Esau about receiving the blessing.
-Rebekah devised a plan and did most of the work to execute it.
-Rebekah told Jacob to obey her.
-Jacob expressed doubts about the plan.
-Rebekah said, “Your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me” (Genesis 27:13, NASB).
-Jacob obeyed.
Yes, Jacob deceived his dad and received the blessing Isaac intended to give Esau, and God never condones lying for any reason. But what’s so hard for many of us to comprehend is that neither Isaac nor God condemned Jacob for possessing the birthright.
Again, I don’t think lying was a normal part of Jacob’s character. His heart wasn’t set on cheating people. Rather, it was fixed on obtaining God’s blessings and promises. Jacob wanted what was good, what was of God, even when it was a struggle to obtain it.
Though I don’t see God supporting an ends-justifies-the-means type of living, I do see God honoring a heart that desires what He desires and a soul that’s willing to persevere through trials to receive those godly yearnings.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/ Sarah Lage
1 Nahum M. Sarna, Genesis, The JPS Torah Commentary (Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1989), 180.
Jenny Fulton is a wife, mother, writer, and member of Wholly Loved Ministries who enjoys studying God’s Word and sharing what she has learned with others. She is the author of Princess Lillian and Grandpa’s Goodbye, A Princess’ Guide to the Alphabet, and Striving for Unity: a Study on 1 Corinthians (upcoming release). An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, Jenny developed a keen interest in language and cultures. In 2007, she graduated from Grace University with a B.S. in Bible, a B.S. in elementary education, and an endorsement in K-12 ESL. For the next seven years, Jenny worked as a teacher in a variety of cultural and educational settings, both abroad and in the United States. Her days are now spent raising her three young daughters and writing as much as time and opportunity allows.
