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In Defense of Jacob

Head in the Heavens
  Feet planted on Earth
Jacob, renamed Israel
  Mocked for his birth

Mislabeled 'The Supplanter'
  Though Esau tricked him
Pushed his twin brother aside
  Emerging first-born with a grin

Then the imposter Esau
  Sold his birthright for a little food
His hands bloody from hunting
  Wild with fury, his mood

On the same very day
  Righteous Grandfather Abraham died
But Esau could have cared less
  Not one tear did he cry

His own mother knew Esau was evil
  She'd grown up with the vile Laban and Besu'el
Rebecca proudly stood up for what was right
  For her son Jacob only would she fight

Jacob dwelled in tents, a man of the book
  His mother helped him deal with Esau the crook
Who deceived father Isaac 'til his dying day
  And wanted to murder Jacob in the worst of ways

Far too many still think that Jacob was wrong
  To 'steal' the birthright ~ that he deserved all along

Copyright © Gershon Wolf | Year Posted 2020

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Linda Alice Fowler Date: 10/26/2020 6:40:00 AM Thanks for the enlightenment gw. A great example of how truth turns in repetition of stories–similar to the child's game, Gossip. {} Linda Login to Reply

Quoth Theraven Date: 10/25/2020 9:38:00 PM Gershon, Your knowing pen strikes a talented chord again. Wonderful retelling in this poem 'In Defense of Jacob'. And I, a novice, am the better for it. -Richard Login to Reply

Krish Radhakrishna Date: 10/25/2020 2:43:00 PM Difficult to take sides in this sorry tale of two brothers! What moral can you learn when a life is based on deception? There are many such controversies in all the religious books! The most important message is this- Jacobs and Esaus still live amongst us! The past does not end in the bible but continues in to the present! Thanks for this interesting story, Gershon! Login to Reply

Geoffrey Brewer Date: 10/25/2020 10:28:00 AM And just one small point - forgive me for taking issue on your use of the phrase: “could have cared less” This seems fairly common among American speakers of English. Surely the expression should read: “couldn’t (I.e. could NOT) have cared less” (since he cared so little). Best wishes Gershon. Login to Reply Gershon Wolf Date: 10/25/2020 12:19:00 PM You are 100% correct, Geoffrey. I only took the incorrect shortcut in the interest of rhythm and flow -- poetic license. Thanks, as always, Gershon

Geoffrey Brewer Date: 10/25/2020 10:21:00 AM Gershon, I have to tell you that earlier this very day, in our local church, the pastor chose the theme of Jacob and Esau. I was amazed to read your poem a few short hours later. Strange or what! My wife and I have resolved to read the story again as we had got rather a different impression of the rights and wrongs of the two brothers. (I had thought that Esau got the short end of the stick). Login to Reply Gershon Wolf Date: 10/25/2020 12:18:00 PM What you heard from your pastor is the very reason I wrote the poem. Esau was a vile fellow who spent his time hunting (both animals and women), who sold his birthright for a pot of lentils, who ignored the Righteous Patriarch Abraham's -- his grandfather! -- death, who vowed to kill Jacob if he could get his hands on him, who married pagan Hittite women, causing bitterness to his parents, who would ask his father Isaac all sorts of faked questions on fine points of Jewish law, when he couldn't have cared less... I could go on. Rebecca knew him for what he was, as she grew up with the deceivers Laban and Besu'el, who tricked Jacob by giving him Leah instead of Rachel and then changed his wages ten times, also giving him the worst of the flocks and screaming at him when he managed to work wonders with their offspring... I could go on... At any rate, the 'party line' is balderdash of the worst order. People should know the real story. ~ Off my soapbox now.

Alexis Y. Date: 10/25/2020 6:41:00 AM Hi Gershon, I really enjoyed your story about Jacob. I recall( if not mistaken)Jacob was supposed to get the blessing of the firstborn. I enjoyed the story of Joseph to, maybe you’ll write about him next. Thanks for sharing such a write. Have a wonderful day my friend:-) Alexis Login to Reply Gershon Wolf Date: 10/25/2020 5:41:00 PM Yes, you're right. Esau never deserved the birthright or the blessings. He sold them for a pot of lentils, so little did he value them... As for Joseph, we'll see... Than, you so much, Alexis! Cheers, Gershon

Regina Mcintosh Date: 10/25/2020 5:34:00 AM Yes. I've always been secretly thrilled that Jacob was our wonderful Israel. He is such a blessing to learn of... I love your poem. God bless you dear friend Login to Reply Gershon Wolf Date: 10/25/2020 5:31:00 PM Thank you so much, Regina. Blessings, Gershon

Tom Cunningham Date: 10/25/2020 1:46:00 AM Well written Gershon, I love true historical events put into verse. Tom Login to Reply Gershon Wolf Date: 10/25/2020 5:26:00 PM Thank you, Tom... and you yourself are so talented at rendering historical events into verse. ~ gw

John Watt Date: 10/24/2020 10:10:00 PM Amen, Gershon. I love to see scriptural history come to life in poetry. You make good points about Jacob, one of the three patriarchs of the faith. Laban treated him poorly by promising him Rachel in marriage but giving him Leah instead. Plus, he made a great stew! ~ John the baptist Login to Reply Gershon Wolf Date: 10/25/2020 5:27:00 PM --and then Laban changed his wages ten times over, and also gave him the worst sheep of the flocks, but got angry when Jacob cross-bred them, yielding superb sheep and goats... Thank you, John! ~ Gerhson