There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: (#6) a false witness who pours out lies, and (#7) a man who stirs up dissension among brothers (Proverbs 6:16 & 19).

How could God possibly love Jacob?  I mean, seriously, I wonder sometimes how the LORD could have been so loving and gracious towards this Old Testament patriarch.  The LORD clearly hates lying -- so much so, in fact, that it's counted twice in the list of the seven things which are detestable to Him, according to Proverbs chapter 6.  And yet, Jacob stands both as one of the Bible's most notorious liars (whose very name can be figuratively translated as "deceiver") and as one of the Bible's most beloved, most blessed patriarchs (who eventually became the namesake for the people of God:  Israel)!  How can that possibly work?!?

It's not just the lying thing, though -- casting Jacob's favorable status into question by going against two of the seven things that God really hates.  Honestly, it could be argued that Jacob patently characterized all seven of the character traits most despised by God!  It's hard to imagine, for instance, that Jacob would have not had some issues with pride (#1), considering the way that women clammored after him and his wealth increased exponentially (see Genesis 30).  As previously mentioned, he was frequently characterized by lying an deceiving (#2 and #6), as can be observed in numerous passages from the book of Genesis (Genesis 31:20 is one particular case in point).  Jacob was indirectly involved with the shedding of innocent blood (#3), considering how you interpret the events surrounding the slaughter of the Shechemites (Genesis 34).  He was also the primary perpetrator of the dastardly scheme (#4) to steal the patriarchal birthright and blessing from Esau (Genesis 27), also basically placing himself in the category of one whose "feet (were) quick to rush into evil" (#5).  And honestly, considering the aforementioned job pulled to steal his brother's blessing and considering the discord that he sowed among his own sons by playing favorites (Genesis 37:3-4), I can hardly think of anyone else from the Bible who did more to stir up dissension among brothers (#7)!  Jacob was, it seems, a severely flawed character.  And yet, God loved him and blessed him.  He accepted this person who did so many "detestable" things despite all the junk in his life.

Why?  I guess it's because Jacob was a fighter -- not one resigned to his station in life, and perhaps especially not the detestable parts of his life.  Jacob wrestled with God (Genesis 32).  He was indeed weak and imperfect, and it was impossible for him to overcome these weaknesses in the face of direct confrontation with God.  But he didn't give up.  And in the end, God choose to bless him and name him Israel -- changing his identity from being the "deceiver" to being the "struggler."  And as baffling as God's grace to Jacob/Israel may have been, it's also incredibly encouraging because I'm just a struggler, too.  I also have problems with pride, and lying, and scheming, and sowing dissension at times.  But I recognize that these things are detestable, and I want to be changed through encountering God.  Jacob's story, ultimately, gives me hope that God won't give up on me in spite of the bad stuff in my life.  As long as I keep fighting, struggling, and following Jesus by faith, I'm not a hopeless cause.