Maybe Not Everything Jacob Did Was Praiseworthy

Indeed, especially in his life before receiving the name of Israel, which was not given in exchange for him overcoming God, but as a gift?

And our Lord is confirming this?

There is something odd (almost, dare I say, ironic) about our Lord calling Nathanael "a true Israelite, without guile" (John 1:47), since of course the original Israel (Jacob), was a man of preeminent guile, who tricked his brother Esau and his father Isaac to get his blessing.

— Pater Edmund (@sancrucensis) August 24, 2020