[kjenkins]

This is a reference to the Bible story of Jacob and Esau and specifically to a verse from Malachi, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” which is quoted in the New Testament by Paul in Romans 9 in answering a question put to him about predestination and free will. I don't want to get "all theological" here so substitute the term "fate" here for predestination if you wish. The question put to Paul is (paraphrased) if God decides "This person I'm going to do this with (Jacob I love), and this other person I'm going to do that with (Esau I hate) ... then what does it matter what either person actually chooses --- i.e. "there is no free will" because no one can resist God's will/fate/predestination and yet what we do does seem to matter. It is a paradox which has been discussed for centuries in theological circles and one that seems to continue to pop up in LOST --- most recently with Desmond and the whole deja vu decisions and changing the future thing.



http://masstheology.com/index.php/2007/02/05/title

[Jesus_Stick]

Brilliant observation.

The second I saw the "God loves you as he did Jacob" I thought of Jacob and Esau, but I never looked at it from that angle.  If I remember correctly, isnt there also a prophecy in the Old Testament that one will serve the other? 

This also opens the door to the idea of having different factions on the island.  Are the "others" representative of Jacob, and if so... who represents Esau?  Hmmm

[Kitty41]

This is a reference to the Bible story of Jacob and Esau and specifically to a verse from Malachi, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” which is quoted in the New Testament by Paul in Romans 9 in answering a question put to him about predestination and free will. I don't want to get "all theological" here so substitute the term "fate" here for predestination if you wish. The question put to Paul is (paraphrased) if God decides "This person I'm going to do this with (Jacob I love), and this other person I'm going to do that with (Esau I hate) ... then what does it matter what either person actually chooses --- i.e. "there is no free will" because no one can resist God's will/fate/predestination and yet what we do does seem to matter. It is a paradox which has been discussed for centuries in theological circles and one that seems to continue to pop up in LOST --- most recently with Desmond and the whole deja vu decisions and changing the future thing.
 


http://masstheology.com/index.php/2007/02/05/title

Well said!

[mokonster]

Do not know if anyone caught this but ...

At the beginning of the episode, when Kate and Sawyer argued about rowing back for Jack, Alex's boyfriend muttered "G-d loves you as he loved Jacob".  If you do not recall see

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x19tgs_scro


This was one of the phrase's he was "programmed" with in episode 3X7 when he was strapped to the chair in front of the TV (see link below)

http://lostmysteries.blogspot.com/2007/02/why-does-video-refer-to-jacob-in-past.html

[phishergirl]

Do not know if anyone caught this but ...

At the beginning of the episode, when Kate and Sawyer argued about rowing back for Jack, Alex's boyfriend muttered "G-d loves you as he loved Jacob".  If you do not recall see

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x19tgs_scro


This was one of the phrase's he was "programmed" with in episode 3X7 when he was strapped to the chair in front of the TV (see link below)

http://lostmysteries.blogspot.com/2007/02/why-does-video-refer-to-jacob-in-past.html

Is there a reason why you won't type the word "God?"  Is that not allowed for some reason?  Not trying to be rude, i'm just curious.  And yeah...i'm pretty sure most people caught that Jacob line.  It was sort of a smack in the face.  Like, to remind us of the brainwashing, I guess?   I wonder why Karl mentioned it when Sawyer was saying that they would be killed if they went back, though.  Maybe "God loves you as he loved Jacob" is a way to justify killing people who break the rules.

[mokonster]

My apologies as I had not noticed someone already brought this up.

my use of the hyphen is explained here.  It had nothing to do with the show.

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/135/story_13547_1.html

[bobsupp]

...or maybe turning to their way of life might buy them some salvation.

[phishergirl]

Oh ok, then.  Thanks.

[Rob G.]

I'm just speaking for myself, here, and apologies to anyone who feels differently, but the minute someone says anything in Lost is actually biblical, I tune out.  I think the bible is a boring and un-creative explanation for anything in LOST.

The name Jacob has a biblical overtone, but I think that's about it.  $.02

[E gratis?]

I agree, unless it's a reference to the literary  work called The Bible .

[Rob G.]

Now that I buy.  Lost is full of literary references.  I just sort of chaffe at people who think this is some sort of "Left Behind"-lite.

[E gratis?]

LOL...

I read up on the whole Jacob/Esau thing and saw this little blurb.... the biblical Jacob sounds like one of the 'others' 

"Jacob and Esau were twins. Esau was older, so he was entitled to his father’s birthright. However, Jacob and his mother tricked Isaac into giving him the birthright. He deceived his father and brother. "  They were twins.... sound familiar?

[Rob G.]

Sounds like an anagram of purgatory to me.

[E gratis?]

LOL

[kjenkins]

I'm just speaking for myself, here, and apologies to anyone who feels differently, but the minute someone says anything in Lost is actually biblical, I tune out.  I think the bible is a boring and un-creative explanation for anything in LOST.

The name Jacob has a biblical overtone, but I think that's about it.  $.02

That's unfortunate. The Bible, if nothing else, is a wonderful piece of literature. You really should read it (you might want to skip the telephone book section in Numbers if you're easily bored). in this case, it's much more than "an overtone" the phrase "Jacob I have loved but Esau I hated" is DIRECTLY from the Bible. It's not a conjecture ... it's a quote and I believe an important clue. You seem to be saying, "if you're going to reference the Bible .... well that's boring and uncreative by default". I can't imagine why. If the purpose was to try and drag the Bible into the discussion to attach religious significance where there is none I can understand that (I would feel the same way if someone tried to relate everything in LOST to Moby Dick) but clearly there are cases (and this is one) where Bibical references are important clues.