Genesis 32:13 - Meaning and Application

Jacob had just made God his friend through prayer, and now he wisely tried to make Esau his friend through a gift. He had asked God to rescue him from Esau’s hand because he was afraid, but his fear did not drive him into despair, and his prayer did not make him careless about using practical means. When we pray for mercy, we should also do what we can. Otherwise, we are not trusting God, we are testing him. We should rely on God’s providence, but still use our own good judgment. God often answers our prayers by teaching us to handle our affairs wisely.

To calm Esau, Jacob sent a generous gift, not of jewels or fine clothes, since he did not have them, but of livestock, 580 animals in all (Genesis 32:13-15). This showed how greatly God had blessed Jacob, because he could spare so many from his own flocks. It also showed his good sense, because he was willing to give up some property to protect the rest. Some people lose more through greed than they ever gain, and a wise man will give up property to save his life. Jacob also likely chose a gift Esau would value. Esau had spent much of his life hunting wild animals, so he may have had little tame livestock for his new lands, and the mixed colors of Jacob’s animals, ring-straked, speckled, and spotted, may have pleased him.

Jacob hoped this gift would win Esau’s favor. A gift often opens the way for peace (Proverbs 17:8), gives a man room to move forward (Proverbs 18:16), and calms anger and strong wrath (Proverbs 21:14). We should not give up on making peace, even with someone who has been deeply angry with us. We should not call a person impossible to please until we have tried. Peace and love, even when they cost us a lot, are worth the price. Many hard and bitter people would have said, “Esau has sworn to kill me, so he will get nothing from me.” But Jacob chose to forgive and move forward.

He also sent a very humble message, and he told his servants to deliver it carefully (Genesis 32:17-20). They were to call Esau their lord, and Jacob his servant. They were also to say that the animals were only a small gift, a sign of what Jacob had gained while away. The gift was sent in several groups, and each group was to repeat the same message. This made the present seem more valuable, and Jacob’s repeated humility might soften Esau’s heart. The servants were especially to tell Esau that Jacob was coming behind them, so Esau would not think he had fled out of fear.

A kind confidence in another person’s goodness can help prevent the harm that person’s badness might plan. If Jacob acts as though he is not afraid of Esau, then Esau may stop acting like a threat to Jacob.