We’re going through the Bible in a 26 part summary expansion of my 30 second Bible summary I posted in January. I am doing one summary expansion a week and we are on the 5th summary point. Jacob Schemes.

God Creates
Adam Ate
Noah Floats
Abraham’s Oath
Jacob Schemes
Joseph Dreams
Bush Lit
Sea Split
Law Spoken
Tablet Broken
Judges Appointed
Kings Anointed
God Forgotten
Rulers Rotten
Kingdom Broke
Prophets Hope
Mary Favored
Baby Savoir
Crucified
Jesus Died
Third Morn
World Reborn
Spirit Glows
Love Grows
Earth Awaits
God Creates

Jacob Schemes

We are halfway through the 50 chapters in Genesis. I mention this fact, because we will spend  23% of our 26 Part Bible summary in Genesis. This signifies the importance of the foundation of the book of Genesis. 

Without Genesis, the rest of the Bible loses context. 

Now onto Jacob. First we need to identify Jacob as Son of Issac or for reference, Abraham’s grandson. Esau and Jacob are twins. Esau was born first and Jacob was second. God told Issacc’s wife Rebekah that two nations were in her womb and the two peoples from within her would be separated, one people being stronger than the other, and the older who “came out red” will serve the younger. God sets the stage for Birthright. 

Genesis 25:29-34

Esau is exhausted from hunting all day and is impulsive in his hunger when he returns. At the direction of Jacob’s Scheme, Jacob negotiates for Esau’s Birthright in exchange for red stew. Red (Or Edom in latin) becomes Esau’s new name and future nation of Edom that will cease to exist when they are conquered by a Babylonian King. 

While Jacob certainly looks like our protagonist in this story, Esau is not innocent! He also has his part in this story. Esau values his desires over God’s covenant and trades his eternal inheritance (Birthright) for temporary desires.

Jacob Schemes to take Esau’s Birthright & Esau gives up his eternal inheritance for earthly desires.

Genesis 27:1-29

Rebakah assists Jacob in deceiving his ill and dying father Issacc, by disguising him in order to receive the covenant blessing intended for the first born. 

Calculated deception to receive spiritual blessing and material inheritance.

Genesis 29:15-30

Genesis 30:25-43

This time Jacob is deceived by Laban, a Shepheard. Laban promises his daughter in marriage to Jacob if he gives 7 years of work. Jacob completes his work and Laban brings him the older daughter instead of Rachel. Jacob marries Leah in return for another 7 years’ work with the promise of marriage to the younger Rachel. Now Jacob has 2 wives and it’s a hot mess with a couple more wives and a bunch of children entering the scene. Jacob schemes again with dishonesty this time, to take from Laban. Jacob multiplies his flock using tree branches to create two separate herds. By their color, they were separated as weak and strong. The weak were given back to Laban and the strong were held by Jacob allowing him to become quite prosperous.

Strategic manipulation mixed with divine blessing.

Genesis 32:6-8

Jacob Schemes again in meeting back up with his brother by dividing up his family and belongings to minimize loss in case he is attacked. 

Self protection rooted in self inflicted fear.

Genesis 32:22-33

This is the turning point from Jacob the sinner to Jacob the acquiescent. Jacob wrestles with God and receives a new name, Israel. 

Jacob moves away from scheming and towards surrender and his covenant identity. 

Jacob grasps for blessing through manipulation and fear—securing Esau’s birthright and material gain through calculated deception—while Esau trades eternal inheritance for temporary desire. Esau forgives Jacob. Jacob wrestles with God and ultimately moves away from scheming, towards surrender and covenant identity.