Jacob believes that he can solve the birth-order problem by himself, and that he can do so without his father's knowledge by his cleverness alone (the sale of the birthright for a bowl of stew). But if one has no reverence for one's father, how can one feel reverence for God? And how can one be a true heir of the way of Abraham if one relies solely on one's own cleverness? Even after Rebecca compels Jacob to seek his father's blessing, he reveals his lack of regard in doing so: asked by the confused old man how he has been able to provide food so quickly, Jacob answers, "Because the Lord your God caused it to happen for me." In this first and only time Jacob speaks of God, he does not acknowledge Him as his own and has the gall to use the Lord God in his falsehood.

             Sent off to seek a wife, Jacob goes empty-handed, trusting only to his wits. But the self-reliant and clever fellow will soon learn the limits of cleverness and self-reliance. Though he owns the birthright he has purchased and the blessing he has stolen, he has nothing to show for either. As he nears the border of Haran, Jacob has the vision of the angels and the ladder, a dream in which God addresses him personally, blesses him with the promise of land and offspring, and offers him a personal warrant of divine protection and faithfulness. When he awakens for good, early in the morning, Jacob erects as a pillar the stone on which he slept and anoints it with oil.

             But he still relies on his instincts of getting the best of or bargaining. He vows the Bible's first vow, but its character reflects the calculating character of its maker: If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come back to my father's house in peace, then shall the Lord be my God, and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house; and of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee.