Bible Discussion Thread

Hello, sometimes I have doubts and questions. Would it be possible to ask you when I do?

Right now, for example, I wonder something about Jacob.

I heard pastors say before, that he was a liar and a manipulator. I looked in Genesis from the time he was born, until he got married and cant find anything other than how he (at the request of his mother) deceived Esau by giving him a bowl of soup for his birthright. But nothing else. Does this one action make him someone like what the pastors describe?

Yes, you are welcome to ask questions here.

They may be referring to Genesis 25:26-34, Genesis 27, Genesis 27:36,

Jacob meaning "heel-catcher" i.e. supplanter"

Genesis 32:28,

Hopefully these are helpful in your study

But we have all been a Jacob - cheating, lying, using half-truths to get our way. Later in the Torah,Jacob memorably dreams of a ladder to heaven. He does not wake up to a new start, but he does wake up with a different awareness, which slowly changes his character, although his wily behaviour continues into his old age.

That is the point. Jacob is not perfect, he does not attain a perfect start or complete change, and neither will we. Instead, we are reminded that real personal change happens slowly, with small goals and gradual progress.

Amen to that .