Jacob and Esau

Jacob wanted the benefit of relationship with God. The evidence of the story suggest he wanted the benefit even more than the relationship. In stealing the irreversible blessing, he moved toward the thing that God alone could give.

Jacob didn’t want to become a second Ishmael.

In the indifference he showed to what was best for Esau, the hope he had for himself was firmly rooted in the belief that God was the source of all blessing. When he stole, what he stole was unmitigated access to this source.

The kingdom sufferers violence and the violent take it by force.