I'm quite certain that Jacob foresaw, if not even helped arrange his murder. In keeping with the parallels that were drawn last episode between Jacob and Christ, Ben was up until that moment one of Jacob's faithful disciples (namely Judas). Not only did Jacob not resist Ben's attack, but seemed to be provoking his anger to insure that he would go through with the deed.
Also, during Jacob and Esau's clandestine conversation in the opening scene, Jacob's response to Esau's threat to murder him is almost welcoming, He's certainly not intimidated by Esau's intentions, and judging by his response, I get the sense he's almost waiting for it to happen. He also mentions to his rival that there is only one ending to this whole chain of events. Jacob, not Esau is the one advocating that in fact the cycle must and will eventually break, which shows some expectation on Jacob's part that Esau would indeed eventually find this loophole.
Jacob has been running around chasing the losties and all over the world in preparation for this moment. Surely he knows his rivals plans, and much like Christ's redemptive victory in scripture, it seems that Jacob plans to sacrifice himself for the triumph of his cause.
I also feel that Christian and Jack Shephard and allied with Jacob (the light side) Their names are both references to Christ, and I strongly believe that Jack will in the end be John's rival as they carry on this personification of the battle between light and darkness.
Also, during Jacob and Esau's clandestine conversation in the opening scene, Jacob's response to Esau's threat to murder him is almost welcoming, He's certainly not intimidated by Esau's intentions, and judging by his response, I get the sense he's almost waiting for it to happen. He also mentions to his rival that there is only one ending to this whole chain of events. Jacob, not Esau is the one advocating that in fact the cycle must and will eventually break, which shows some expectation on Jacob's part that Esau would indeed eventually find this loophole.
Jacob has been running around chasing the losties and all over the world in preparation for this moment. Surely he knows his rivals plans, and much like Christ's redemptive victory in scripture, it seems that Jacob plans to sacrifice himself for the triumph of his cause.
I also feel that Christian and Jack Shephard and allied with Jacob (the light side) Their names are both references to Christ, and I strongly believe that Jack will in the end be John's rival as they carry on this personification of the battle between light and darkness.
