Jacob wasn't so bad

[votivesoul]

I don't think Esau was ignorant or being hyperbolic. Hunting then is not like it is now. You went out into the severe wilderness with whatever bit of food you could carry. But if you didn't catch anything, you didn't eat. If Esau was on a long distance hunt, or tracked an animal into a far off place, and got lost, or anything like that, and never succeeded in getting a kill, by the time he got back to base camp, it may have been days since he ate, coupled with severe physical rigor draining him of life. What if he didn't have a source of clean drinking water?

Regardless, if Jacob would have been a bit kinder, he wouldn't have bartered a bowl of lentiles/beans with his brother. He would have fed him without reservation or plot, regardless of the true nature of Esau's health.

Reading some good thing into Jacob at that time in his life, because of what happened afterward, these many thousands of years removed, is a mistake. The man saw an opportunity to scheme and he took it.

Doesn't mean Esau didn't play a part, and ultimately is to blame for what he lost/sold/gave away.

But Jacob doesn't deserve any commendations, either. I mean, ask yourself: Would you do what Jacob did, to your brother (or sister, or friend, or even distant cousin)?

If not, why not? Because it's not right. If your enemy hungers, feed him. The people and culture of that era were honor bound to be hospitable and feed any poor soul who came to them. Jacob flouted that time-honored custom in an ignoble way.

As to why God then visited him and chose him? Election, as has been mentioned. It had nothing to do with Jacob's merit. It had everything to do with God's Master Plan to save the whole world.