The juxtaposition of the blessing of Jacob, the renunciation of idolatry, and the fulfillment of Jacob's vow with three deaths, Reuben's sin, and Esau's flourishing displays the paradox of life for the church in the current evil age. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation - and yet in ourselves, our families, our church, and our world, we see the residual effect of the old creation. Sin and death will still encounter the believer and the church at every turn. However, our hope is that even in this residual sin, this lingering death, the promises of God are being fulfilled for our good and His glory.