I haven't fleshed this out entirely, but I had some thoughts on Locke and Ben. I believe that they are brothers (either biologically - both mom's were named Emily or perhaps more figuratively). And I believe that they are living out the Jacob/Esau story from the Bible.
Esau and Jacob were brothers (fraternal twins) and when they were in their mother's womb, God told her, "Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger."
Since Esau was the firstborn, he was entitled to the birthright. However, their mother preferred Jacob and wanted him to get the birthright. So as their father Isaac was dying in bed, blind...Jacob tricked Issac by putting on fake animal hair, so that Isaac would think we was Esau and give him the birthright. He went to Isaac's bed and since Isaac couldn't see, he felt the hair, thought it was Esau, and pronounced the birthright over him. Although Esau was the rightful heir, Jacob (whose name means "trickster" in Hebrew, I believe) received the blessing and birthright and became the spiritual leader of the family.
How does this relate to Locke/Ben? Who is known as a liar/trickster? Ben.
Who is the leader of the island? Ben.
I believe that Locke was supposed to be the rightful heir of the island, but somehow, Ben tricked his way into getting the island. I think that Richard knows that Locke is the rightful heir, and was trying (at several times in Locke's life as we saw on Thursday night) to get him to accept the calling. That is why he was so disappointed when he chose the knife. It symbolized the hunter in Locke. Who else was a hunter? ESAU.
According to the Wiki entry, "The Bible depicts Esau (Locke) as a hunter who prefers the outdoor life, qualities that distinguished him from his brother (Ben) who was a shy, or simple man depending how you translate the Hebrew word 'Tam' (which also means relatively perfect man.) According to the Bible, Esau (Locke) is the ancestor of the Edomites. In the Book of Genesis, Esau (Locke) is frequently shown being supplanted by his younger twin Jacob (Ben)."
Locke would rather spend his time hunting then accepting his true calling. So when he chose the knife as a young boy, Richard was downtrodden because realized that Locke wasn't ready. When he was urged to go to the science camp, he didn't want to. Locke keeps failing the "tests."
If you believe in "predestination" or that life's outcome has already been determined, then no matter how many times you go back and try to "live your life" again (time traveling) the outcome will be the same.
I believe Richard is trying to change the outcome and position Locke to receive the "birthright" of the island, but that because of predestination, it will always fall into Ben's hands...no matter what.
I'm not saying that Ben is the "Jacob" as we know him in the show, but just that he is a representation of the character in the Bible.
Oh, and one more thing. How did the "others" dress in season 2 when they were trying to decieve our Losties into thinking that they were "natives" of the Island. They put on beards (hair) to trick them.
Just like Jacob in the Bible...
Theory by Garce1974
Esau and Jacob were brothers (fraternal twins) and when they were in their mother's womb, God told her, "Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger."
Since Esau was the firstborn, he was entitled to the birthright. However, their mother preferred Jacob and wanted him to get the birthright. So as their father Isaac was dying in bed, blind...Jacob tricked Issac by putting on fake animal hair, so that Isaac would think we was Esau and give him the birthright. He went to Isaac's bed and since Isaac couldn't see, he felt the hair, thought it was Esau, and pronounced the birthright over him. Although Esau was the rightful heir, Jacob (whose name means "trickster" in Hebrew, I believe) received the blessing and birthright and became the spiritual leader of the family.
How does this relate to Locke/Ben? Who is known as a liar/trickster? Ben.
Who is the leader of the island? Ben.
I believe that Locke was supposed to be the rightful heir of the island, but somehow, Ben tricked his way into getting the island. I think that Richard knows that Locke is the rightful heir, and was trying (at several times in Locke's life as we saw on Thursday night) to get him to accept the calling. That is why he was so disappointed when he chose the knife. It symbolized the hunter in Locke. Who else was a hunter? ESAU.
According to the Wiki entry, "The Bible depicts Esau (Locke) as a hunter who prefers the outdoor life, qualities that distinguished him from his brother (Ben) who was a shy, or simple man depending how you translate the Hebrew word 'Tam' (which also means relatively perfect man.) According to the Bible, Esau (Locke) is the ancestor of the Edomites. In the Book of Genesis, Esau (Locke) is frequently shown being supplanted by his younger twin Jacob (Ben)."
Locke would rather spend his time hunting then accepting his true calling. So when he chose the knife as a young boy, Richard was downtrodden because realized that Locke wasn't ready. When he was urged to go to the science camp, he didn't want to. Locke keeps failing the "tests."
If you believe in "predestination" or that life's outcome has already been determined, then no matter how many times you go back and try to "live your life" again (time traveling) the outcome will be the same.
I believe Richard is trying to change the outcome and position Locke to receive the "birthright" of the island, but that because of predestination, it will always fall into Ben's hands...no matter what.
I'm not saying that Ben is the "Jacob" as we know him in the show, but just that he is a representation of the character in the Bible.
Oh, and one more thing. How did the "others" dress in season 2 when they were trying to decieve our Losties into thinking that they were "natives" of the Island. They put on beards (hair) to trick them.
Just like Jacob in the Bible...
Theory by Garce1974