In a modern court the blessing given to Jacob would not hold. A lie can’t be the basis of a contract. Google says: “Fraudulent misrepresentation, where one party intentionally makes a false statement to induce the other party to sign a contract, can also affect the contract and make it invalid.” The Bible is very clear that the intention of Jacob (and Rebekah!) was “fraudulent misprpresentation,” not once but three times. Again Isaac asked Jacob, “Are you really my son Esau?” “Certainly,” Jacob replied. How should we think about the fact that the covenant, the contract with God by the family of Abraham, was based on a lie? Jacob is, of course, the one who is renamed Israel and father of the twelve tribes. Perhaps we should take from this story that human shenanigans have been part of salvation history from the start. God did not choose angels but fallible, devious human beings as the agents of the divine will. So God can even use the likes of us.
JULY52025
By Church Staff
