Jacob Fears To Meet Esau. The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.”
Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps; Gen 32:3:6-7
INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT
II. GOD AND THE CHOSEN FAMILY, Genesis 12-50
2. The History of Isaac and Jacob, Genesis 32:19 Genesis 32:35:29
59. How did Jacob prepare for his meeting with Esau?
JACOB FEARS ESAU
Then as Jacob went on his way, the angels of God met him [to reassure and protect him].
When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” So he named that place Mahanaim (double camps). [Gen_32:7, Gen_32:10]
Then Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
He commanded them, saying, “This is what to say to my lord Esau: ‘Your servant Jacob says this, “I have been living temporarily with Laban, and have stayed there until now;
I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants; and I have sent [this message] to tell my lord, so that I may find grace and kindness in your sight.”‘”
The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.”
Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps;
and he said, “If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it, then the other camp which is left will escape.”
Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD, who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your people, and I will make you prosper,’
I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and compassion and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant. With only my staff [long ago] I crossed over this Jordan, and now I have become [blessed and increased into these] two groups [of people].
Save me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children.
And You [LORD] said, ‘I will certainly make you prosper and make your descendants as [numerous as] the sand of the sea, which is too great to be counted.’
JACOB FEARS TO MEET ESAU
Before we encounter our Esaus we are sure to meet God’s angels. If only our eyes are not holden we shall perceive them. The world is full of angel help! There are more for us than against us! The Captain of the Lord’s hosts is as near us as He was to Joshua, and His squadrons await our cry. “Thinkest thou,” said our Lord, “that I cannot beseech my Father, and He shall even now send more than twelve legions of angels!” In times of trial we betake ourselves to God, and are justified in claiming His protection, so long as we can show that we are on His plan and doing His will. It was the news brought by his messengers of Esau’s approach that elicited from Jacob this marvelous prayer; but his prayer did not prevent him making what plans he could for the safety of his dear ones.
Comments by
WILLIAM MACDONALD
Believers Bible Commentary
On
Genesis 32:1-12
II. THE PATRIARCHS OF ISRAEL (Chaps. 12-50)
C. Jacob (27:1–36:43)
6. Jacob and Esau Reconciled (Chaps. 32, 33)
32:1-8 En route to Canaan, Jacob met a band of angels and called the place Mahanaim (two hosts or double camp). The two camps may be God’s army (v. 2) and Jacob’s entourage. Or two hosts may be a figurative expression for a great multitude (v. 10). As Jacob neared the land, he remembered his brother Esau and feared revenge. Would Esau still be angry at the way he had been cheated out of the blessing? First, Jacob sent messengers . . . to Esau with greetings of peace. Then when he heard that Esau was coming to meet him with a band of four hundred men, he was so terrified that he divided his family into two companies, so that if the first group was destroyed, the second could flee.
32:9-12 Jacob’s prayer was born out of a desperate sense of need for divine protection. It was based on the ground of covenant relationship which the Lord had established with him and his forefathers, and it was prayed in humility of spirit. He based his plea on the word of the Lord and claimed the promises of God.
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