Les Feldick Bible Study

Does Jacob ever deceive people again after he becomes a child of God?

No, after Jacob becomes a child of God, Scripture never again gives an account of him as the deceiver. He never again connives to cheat someone. He had deceived Laban and Esau earlier, but he is now a changed man. God changes his name from Jacob, the supplanter and deceiver, to Israel, prince with God.

Les explains that once Jacob becomes a child of God, Scripture never again records him as the deceiver. He had connived to cheat Laban and Esau, but now he is a changed man. That change is why God changes his name from Jacob—the supplanter and deceiver—to Israel, the prince with God. Les also notes that Jacob and Israel are not synonymous: they are two aspects of the same nation. Isaiah 9:8 says the Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it lighted upon Israel, meaning the Word went to the whole nation, but the spiritual part, the believers, heard it.