Who was one of the first men nicknamed Red, and why? Why was his brother named Heel Catcher? Jacob was born so soon after his twin brother Esau that he grabbed his heel and earned the name “heel catcher” or “supplanter,” a prophecy of Jacob supplanting the position of honor in the clan and the blessing from his father normally given to the firstborn.
“Even in the womb, Jacob struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God.” (Hosea 12:3 NLT)
Favoritism & Sibling Rivalry
Jacob’s sibling rivalry is well known, but let’s not forget his dogged determination. Their parents were partly to blame for the rivalry.
“Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.” (Genesis 25:28 CEB)
Birthright & Blessing
Favoritism is a common cause of deep-seated family problems. Jacob was conniving, but his brother thought so little of his birthright that he readily sold it cheaply, for some red lentil stew, becoming perhaps the first man to be nicknamed Red.
“One day, when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came home hungry and said, “I'm starving to death! Here and now give me some of that red stew!” That's how Esau got the name “Edom” [Red]. Jacob replied, “Sell me your rights as the first-born son.” “I'm about to die,” Esau answered. “What good will those rights do me?” But Jacob said, “Promise me your birthrights, here and now!” And that's what Esau did. Jacob then gave Esau some bread and some of the bean stew, and when Esau had finished eating and drinking, he just got up and left, showing how little he thought of his rights as the first-born.” (Genesis 25:29-34 CEV)
Jacob can’t be blamed entirely for bad relations with his brother. His mother Rebekah was also involved in deceiving Isaac into blessing Jacob instead of Esau.
“Esau said, ‘Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.’ Then he said, ‘Have you not reserved a blessing for me?’ Isaac answered and said to Esau, ‘Behold, I have made him lord over you, and all his brothers I have given to him for servants, and with grain and wine I have sustained him. What then can I do for you, my son?’ ” (Genesis 27:36-37 ESV)
What was the result?
“And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.” (Genesis 27:41 KJV)
Families still fall out with each other because of favoritism and feelings of unfair treatment. It is always wise to discuss an inheritance openly and early, asking if anybody feels mistreated and to solve potential issues before they fester. Nobody needs their legacy to be a divided family.
Leaving Town
Unfortunately, things were so bad in this family that Jacob had to leave town fearing for his very life. Even though he had some glaring character flaws, Jacob did desire to follow God.
“Jacob also made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take, and give me food to eat and garments to wear, and I return to my father’s house in safety, then the Lord will be my God.’ ” (Genesis 28:20-21 NASB)
Cheated
What is the best way for a sinner with certain weaknesses to learn to overcome? Could it be that God had some important lessons for Jacob in working for Uncle Laban? Deceived by him into a honeymoon with the wrong daughter, Jacob was devastated.
“When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, ‘What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?’ ” (Genesis 29:25 NIV)
Unlike his father Isaac, who was a one-woman man, Jacob had four and all the family strife that comes with plural marriages. God’s ideal at creation was one man and one woman. Imagine only having a quarter of your spouse’s time, or less if you were not a favorite. What a selfish lifestyle! Yet, God works with us to teach us through life’s experiences. Jacob was learning not to cheat others the hard way, by being deceived by his own uncle, as he told Laban’s daughters.
“You know how hard I have worked for your father, but he has cheated me, changing my wages ten times. But God has not allowed him to do me any harm.” (Genesis 31:6-7 NLT)
Wrestling
Jacob journeyed as God instructed him. He encountered angels and wrestled all night with God. We are encouraged to persist in prayer. Jacob continued even after he sprained his thigh, until God finally blessed him.
“He said, ‘Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed.’ ” (Genesis 32:28 WEB)
Repentance
As he took the spiritual lead of the whole clan, Jacob was moving deeper into godly things, repenting of some bad spiritual practices.
“Jacob said to his family and to everyone else who was traveling with him: Get rid of your foreign gods! Then make yourselves acceptable to worship God and put on clean clothes.” (Genesis 35:2 CEV)
A change of life sometimes brings a change of name. Israel (Yisrael) means “God prevails.” In the midst of hard lessons about deceptive practices, Jacob also learned forgiveness and made peace with his uncle and brother, later joining his brother at his father Isaac’s funeral (Genesis 35:29). God continued to speak with Jacob the whole time, even though he still had some important sins to overcome. Which of us does not? What family idols do we need to get rid of?
“God appeared to Jacob again, while he was on his way back from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. God said to him, ‘Your name is Jacob, but your name will be Jacob no longer. No, your name will be Israel.’ And he named him Israel.” (Genesis 35:9-10 CEB)
Jacob’s pilgrimage was to eventually take him to Egypt, where on the way God spoke.
“And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, ‘Jacob, Jacob.’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then he said, ‘I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation.’ ” (Genesis 46:2-3 ESV)
Jacob’s life, filled with strife and troubles, gives us all hope that we who are also far from perfect, can be shown mercy and favor as we trust in God.
Which one are you, the cheater or the cheated? Will you have a change of heart and mind? Like Israel, will you prevail with God and believe the good news of God’s reign? You decide!
