We last saw Jacob making peace with his estranged brother Esau. In that encounter, Jacob exhibited some refreshing new traits, signs that he was changing his ways. “Jacob” was his old life, the schemer/grabber. His new identity would be “Israel,” one who struggled with God and finally surrendered. As so often is the case, however, Jacob’s surrender to God wasn’t an overnight transformation: it was a long, circuitous path marked by ups and downs in his obedience to God. Chapter 34 is the tale of his partial obedience to God, his slow progress in doing what he should. And the whole story will reveal the high cost paid by many for his sluggish discipleship.