Introduction to Biblical Grumps

Introduction to the Series

When it comes to grumps, the gene-pool, I’m told, runs deep.  My nephews used to call my dad, “Gramps” which we, not so subtly, modified to “Grumps.”  What’s in a vowel, after all?  I thought my dad was a pessimistic cynic . . . until I grew up and became what I now dispassionately and objectively refer to as a realist.  My dad was an optimist compared to his youngest son – that would be me.  Although I have considerable faith in God’s word and that His will most certainly will be done, I have very limited faith in human beings separately or in the aggregate.  I am reminded of Mr. Jones’ response to Mr. Smith’s comment in “Men in Black I” that people are bright and could understand something beyond themselves.  K says to J: “A person is bright; people are stupid.”  Well, he was half right – I’ll let you judge which half is correct.  Is the glass half full, or half empty; or is the glass on the floor, smashed to bits? 

Being something of a student of history, modern and ancient, I find that the heroes of history are often also the rapscallions of history.  I have found it that way with regard to biblical historical heroes as well.  I must admit, however, and as I’ve often said: “It is dreadfully difficult to dredge up much dirt on the likes of Daniel, Job or even Jonathan.”  But be that as it may, one has no trouble finding grumps in the older testament of the Bible.  The three that I will mention in this Old Testament series are guilty of single episodes of grumpery, iterative – repeated acts of – grumpery, and even longitudinal grumpery – that is, a veritable lifetime of grumpiness.  The three I have selected for this three-part exposé are Jacob, Moses and David.  These are three of the greatest heroes of the nation of Israel.  Jacob, whose other name is Israel, is the progenitor of the 12 tribes called Israel; Moses was the great Legislator of Israel; and David was the great king and mini-emperor of the United Monarchy of Israel.  Yet, they were all given to bouts of grumpiness the effects of which often survived them. 

Along the way, I will attempt to prove the following three things:

With respect to Jacob:

Even The Grumpiest Of Grumps Can Reform. 

With respect to Moses:

Even Reformed Grumps May Suffer The Consequences Of Their Grumpery. 

With respect to David:

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