Bible Discussion Thread

I cannot quite agree with the above comment about "self-control ", etc. First, Esau sold his birthright for a meal, true, but the narrative makes it clear that he wasn 't just a little hungry, his starvation was life threatening, perhaps 25:32 . So Jacob, pressing his advantage, says in effect, OK, I 'll save your life for a price. Not exactly the loving brother. And as to the trickery and deceit in stealing the blessing intended for Esau, well Jacob was wise as a serpent, but I will not comment on the gentle as a dove part. It is interesting the belief about blessing illustrated here. In his heart, Isaac was blessing Esau he believed it was Esau, and Jacob lied and said he was Esau, so how was Isaac NOT blessing Esau? And of this blessing business, is it implicit here that God somehow is obliged to bring to pass what is promised in the blessing? Then, would omnipotent and omniscient God be obliged to honor a blessing stolen through fraud and deceit? The story, I believe, is rich in the beliefs of a bygone time, and in human nature, which hasn 't changed at all since then. The mother who schemes to defraud her husband to the advantage of her favorite son, the envy of the younger son and his schemes against his slightly older--and perhaps not too bright--brother. The love hate of fraternal twins. And the petty schemes and dreams of all of these very human sinners somehow coming together to advance the Plan of God Almighty.