Jacob
From SPARK
One-sentence summary
A dramatic, realistic movie of the life of Jacob, which is generally faithful to Scripture (93 min.).
Description
From DVD Cover
For seven long years, Jacob has labored to earn the right to marry beautiful Rachel. Now the seven years are up – but Rachel’s devious father substitutes his elder daughter on the wedding night. Matthew Modine (Full Metal Jacket) and Lara Flynn Boyle (Men in Black II) play Jacob and Rachel in one of the greatest love stories from the Bible. Highlights of Jacob’s life – how he usurped his brother Esau’s birthright and blessing, the pillow of stone, the ladder to heaven, wrestling with God – are set against the heartache and hope of his relationship with the woman he seems destined never to possess. Sustained by his faith in God and his love for Rachel, Jacob perseveres…and becomes the father of the 12 tribes of Israel.
Considerations
This is a good movie. The actors, clothing, and scenery are all very good. The music fits well with the culture and scenes. As with Moses and Abraham, the story generally fits well with Scripture (Gen. 25:27-34; 27–33). The story begins with Esau and Jacob already full grown men. Esau is self-centered while Jacob is concerned with the needs of others. Isaac loves Esau and Rebekah loves Jacob. Esau does not value the God of his fathers and so has little value for his birthright. He is shown as becoming like the Canaanites, marrying a Canaanite woman and building a home like theirs. Yet he has great value for his father’s blessing and when it is taken from him by Jacob (coerced by his mother), he goes after his brother threatening to kill him as soon as Isaac dies. Isaac then sends Jacob to Rebekah’s family to get a wife. He is sent away with several animals loaded with goods for a dowry but loses all of these when pursued by Esau’s brother-in-law.
His dream at Bethel of the stairway to heaven and the Lord talking to him was well done. He leaves there with the conviction to follow God. He arrives at Laban’s with nothing and ends up working seven years for the dowry for Rachel. Laban knows Jacob’s work is blessed by his God and will do whatever it takes to keep his God there and retain the material blessing. The interaction of Rachel and Leah with Jacob is good. When Jacob finally flees, Laban is mad, but only when he discovers his idols are gone does he pursue Jacob with the desire to kill him. The confrontation between Jacob and Laban is well done, as is also the scene of Jacob wrestling with the man of God. Jacob still has great fear of Esau, and Esau is shown coming after Jacob to kill him. Jacob tells Rachel to protect Joseph at all cost because he is to be Jacob’s heir (this is overheard by Reuben). The story ends shortly after the confrontation with Esau, with Jacob and his people moving toward Shechem.
Limitations
To make a good movie, portions have been added to what is given in Scripture. These added portions are open to interpretation, as is the way some of the known parts are presented. For instance, the Bible never mentions Esau building a Canaanite home or Jacob leaving with a large amount of goods as a dowry. Several things are known about his time with Laban so the story weaves around these in a logical manner. The meeting with Esau did not seem to fit Scripture, since Esau is shown coming after Jacob to kill him. About 20 years have passed and according to Scripture Isaac is still alive. Scripture says “Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him,” while in the video Esau pulls his sword to kill Jacob, and only then does he change his mind and finally embrace him. The size of the cast is adequate for the story, but the number and kinds of animals is nowhere near the numbers given in Scripture for the gift to Esau.
These are only one reviewer’s observations. If you are interested, you should view and test this movie with your people group to learn their reaction and identify any scenes, music, or cultural issues that could detract from the Word of God.
Guidelines for Use
Where to Obtain
Link to Producer or Source Organization
Cost
The Bible Collection, which includes six movies (Moses, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, and Samson and Delilah) can be purchased for $48 (Sept. 2007) from amazon.com
Producer/Owners
Author/Artist/Producer
Turner Pictures presents a Lube Production, 1994
Current copyright owner
TNT Originals Inc. and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Other Information
Reviewed by
VMS Staff: Vernon W.
Date
September 2007
