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I'm Sorry but Jacob was Weird!

I see Jacob as a very peculiar individual. From birth to death weird stuff happened to and because of him. Is it my lack of spirituality that causes my doubts? Or was he really weird?

Some descriptives used to portray him shed light on what I mean. Words like: deceiver, thief, liar, mama’s boy, doubter, selfish, all come to mind. This phrase, quoted by who knows who, “How odd of God to choose the Jews” could also be used with regard to Jacob.

He was not the first Jew; that title goes to his grandfather Abraham. However, Jacob generated twelve sons who populated the twelve tribes of Israel. And Israel, by the way, was Jacob.

But back to his weirdness. Even before his birth he was fighting. In Genesis 25 Rebekah felt her babies “jostling” in her womb. Which one instigated the rough housing? My bet is Jacob. I know that it takes two to tango, or tangle if you please but it seems that jostling was to be Jacob’s lot in life.

He was a “little snip”, as my mom used to say. He hid behind mommy’s apron strings, even in his forties and took potshots at his older twin brother Esau. Ever noted them?

Here is an example. Esau comes in from the hunt. Jacob is in the kitchen. My my. Esau is dying of hunger. What pops into Jacob’s head? “I’m going for the birthright!” Where did THAT come from? He was weirdly evil.

Granted, Esau had his problems. One major one was that he was NOT chosen by God. That would ruin anyone’s day.

Jacob, however, the chosen one, was always in trouble. Yesterday I talked about how he lied to his dad and dressed like a goat to win a bundle of blessings. This morning’s reading brought another bit of weirdness that jumped out at me. He is running for his life from Esau and comes to a well. There he sees Rachel, his future wife, coming with a flock of sheep. So, what does he do? He helps her water the flock. Probably helped by the cuteness factor. But look what he does next.

Mind you this is their first encounter. He kisses her and begins to weep. Bellow would be a better description of what he did. That was weird. Granted I do not know the cultural background. I cannot explain the seeming lack of reaction on Rachel’s part. But come on! Would you marry this guy? One kiss and he’s a bellowing basketcase.

Rachel married him and reaped her share of troubles. She was a trooper but she became a liar, thief and somewhat of a co-participant in Jacob’s weirdness.

So, what lesson can I take home from Jacob’s story? God doesn't just choose the strong. He doesn't choose the more levelheaded. He doesn't choose only the “normal”. He also chooses the weird. I can thank Him for that and realize that there is hope for me.

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