Joshua and Elijah

Jacob and Elijah Jacob was born to be a deceiver. He came out of Rebekah's womb "grasping the heel" of his older brother Esau, setting the pattern of deception his life would soon take. But he was also born of God's promise, born to be the father of Nations and revered by his people. How can a trickster inherit such a high place of esteem without earning God's approval through pious prayer and obedience? Elijah …

…has had this honor of eternal life. Yet I think most would agree that Elijah more then earned it. No one else has be so self- sacrificing, so representative of God's word, as Elijah. Yet Jacob's blessing was not based on his merit or his actions- but on Gods Soveriegn Freedom and His promise to Abraham. But in the end we can only conclude that God's grace and blessing are unexpected and up to Him.