Genesis 32:3 - Meaning and Application

Now that Jacob was returning to Canaan, God reminded him by a vision of angels of the friends he had when he left. That also brought back the enemies he had left behind, especially Esau. It is likely that Rebekah, Jacob and Esau’s mother, had told him that Esau was living in Seir and still held a grudge. What should poor Jacob do? He longed to see his father, but he feared meeting his brother. He was glad to be back in Canaan, yet he could not help rejoicing with fear because of Esau.

He first sends Esau a very kind and humble message. It does not seem that Jacob had to travel through Esau’s land or ask permission to pass through. Still, his path brought him near it, and he did not want to go by without showing the respect due to a brother, a twin brother, an only brother, an older brother, and a brother who had been offended. Even when our relatives fail us, we still must do our duty toward them. It is also a sign of friendship and brotherly love to let friends know how we are doing and to ask about them. Small acts of courtesy can help end old hostility.

Jacob’s message to Esau is very polite and humble (verses 4, 5). First, he calls Esau his lord and calls himself his servant. In this way, he does not insist on the rights of the birthright and blessing that he had received. Instead, he leaves it to God to carry out his own purpose through Jacob’s family. Yielding can calm serious anger (Ecclesiastes 10:4). We should not refuse to speak respectfully and humbly, even to people who are unfairly angry with us.

Second, Jacob gives Esau a short report about his life. He is not a runaway or a wanderer, but has had a settled home with his relatives, though he has been away a long time. He has lived with Laban, his uncle, until now. He is also not coming home as a beggar, like the prodigal son, with nothing and likely to become a burden to his family. No, he has oxen and donkeys. He knew this would, if anything, make Esau think better of him. Third, he asks for favor: “I have sent this message so that I may find favor in your sight.” It is no shame for the one with the better claim to ask for peace and reconciliation.

Jacob then receives a very frightening report about Esau’s warlike plans (Genesis 32:6). There is no answer, no message back, only trouble, a harsh reply to a kind request, and a poor welcome home for a brother. Esau is coming to meet him, with four hundred men. He is now eager for the day of mourning for his old father to pass, and even before that he is ready to kill his brother.

First, Esau has not forgotten the old quarrel. He now wants revenge for the birthright and blessing, and if possible he wants to destroy Jacob’s hopes from both. Hatred kept inside can last a long time and break out violently years later. Angry people have good memories.

Second, Esau envies Jacob’s small amount of wealth. Even though Esau himself now has much more, that is not enough for him. He wants to see Jacob ruined and his land filled with Jacob’s spoils. Perhaps Jacob’s report of his own prosperity only stirred Esau’s anger more.

Third, Esau thinks Jacob will be easy to destroy now that he is on the road, tired, unsettled, and, in Esau’s mind, unprotected. People who have the poison of a serpent often also have the serpent’s cunning. They look for the first good chance to take revenge.

Fourth, Esau means to strike suddenly, before Jacob reaches his father, so Isaac cannot step in and make peace between them. Esau is one of those who hate peace. When Jacob speaks peace, Esau is ready for war (Psalm 120:6, Psalm 120:7). So Esau marches out in anger, eager for bloodshed. The four hundred men with him were likely the men who hunted with him, and they were probably rough and cruel like their leader, ready to carry out even a barbaric order. They were breathing threats and slaughter. Even a tenth of them would have been enough to wipe out poor Jacob and his innocent, helpless family completely.

So it is no surprise that Jacob became greatly afraid and distressed (Genesis 32:7). He may have felt this even more because he had only recently recovered from the fear Laban had caused him. Many troubles come to God’s people in this world, and sometimes one trouble ending only means another is beginning. The clouds return after the rain. Jacob was a man of great faith, yet he was now very afraid. A sharp awareness of danger, and the fear that rises from it, can still go together with humble trust in God’s power and promise. Even Christ, in his agony, was deeply troubled.

Jacob then does the best he can for defense in his present situation. It would have been foolish to think of fighting back, so his whole plan is to make an escape (Genesis 32:7, 8). He wisely does not put everything in one group. Instead, he divides what he has into two companies, so that if one is attacked, the other may escape. Like a careful father of a family, he is more concerned for their safety than for his own. He divides his people, not as Abraham did for battle (Genesis 14:15), but for flight.