Episode Details

What can the story of Jacob and Esau teach us about instant gratification, delayed gratification—and the consequences of our choices?

In this episode of the Wisdom Calling Podcast, we continue tracing wisdom through Scripture through the case study of Jacob and Esau. Jacob was a deceiver from birth, but eventually the deceiver met his match in his uncle Laban. Circumstances forced Jacob into a long season of hard work before he would receive a return on his investment.

Their story gives us an intriguing picture of the dangers of instant gratification and the potential benefits of patiently working and waiting for something of greater value.

But it also raises a deeper question. Many today might look at Jacob’s experience and simply call it karma—the deceiver finally getting what he deserved. But is that really what was happening? Or were other factors at work?

As we examine Jacob’s story, we’ll consider what it can teach us about patience, work, consequences, and the wisdom of taking the long view in our lives and work.

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