Genesis 33:5 - Meaning and Application

Here we have the conversation between the two brothers when they met. It was free and friendly, with no mention of their old quarrel. That was the best way to handle it. They talked first about Jacob’s family, in Genesis 33:5-7. Eleven or twelve young children, the oldest no more than fourteen, followed close behind Jacob. Esau asked, “Who are these?” Jacob had already told him about the growth of his household (Genesis 32:5), but he had not mentioned the children. Perhaps he did not want to put them in danger if Esau still meant harm, or perhaps he wanted to surprise him with them if Esau came as a friend.

Jacob answers this ordinary question in a serious and fitting way: “These are the children God has graciously given your servant.” It would have been enough to say, “These are my children.” That would have answered Esau, but it would not have sounded like Jacob, a man who always looked to the Lord. We should not only do common things in a godly way, but also speak about them in a godly way (3 John 1:6). Jacob speaks of his children as gifts from God, and as special gifts. They are a blessing from the Lord (Psalm 128:3; Psalm 112:9; Psalm 107:41). Even though they were many, and a care to him, and not yet well provided for, he still counted them great blessings.

Then his wives and children came forward in order and showed respect to Esau, as Jacob had done before them (Genesis 33:6-7). It is fitting for the family to show honor to the one whom the head of the family honors.

They also talk about the present Jacob had sent. Esau kindly refused it because he had enough and did not need it, in Genesis 33:9. Those who want to be seen as honorable people should not seem greedy in friendship. Whatever effect Jacob’s gift may have had in calming Esau, Esau would not have it thought that he was moved by money, so he refused it. He said, “I have enough,” meaning, “I have plenty.” This teaches us that many who lack spiritual blessings and are outside God’s covenant still have much of this world’s wealth. Esau had what had been promised to him, the fatness of the earth and a life gained by the sword. It is a good thing to know that we have enough, even if we do not have as much as others. Even Esau could say, “I have enough.” Those who are content with what they have should show it by not coveting what others have.

Esau said he did not need the gift, either to supply him, since he was rich, or to calm him, since he was already reconciled. We should be careful that our greed does not take advantage of another person’s kindness.

Jacob then urges Esau to accept the gift, and he succeeds, in Genesis 33:10-11. Jacob had sent it earlier out of fear (Genesis 32:20), but now fear was gone. So he presses Esau to take it out of love, to show that he wanted his brother’s friendship, not just safety. He gives two reasons. First, he is grateful for his brother’s favor. He says, “I have seen your face, as though I had seen the face of God.” That means, “I have seen you reconciled to me and at peace with me, and that is a great joy.” Or it may mean that Jacob saw God’s favor toward him in Esau’s kindness. It was a sign for good that God had answered his prayers. Earthly comforts are true comforts when they come as answers to prayer and show that God has accepted us. It is also a great joy when people who have been at odds recover friendship.

Second, Jacob points to the good things God has given him. “God has dealt graciously with me,” he says. We should notice with thanksgiving when what we have in this world grows under our hands, and we should give God the credit. He is the one who gives power to gain wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). Jacob adds, “I have enough,” or literally, “I have all.” Esau’s “enough” was much, but Jacob’s “all” was better. A godly man may have little in this world and still truly say, “I have all.” He has all, because he has the God of all, and all things belong to him if he belongs to Christ (1 Corinthians 3:22). He also has the comfort of all. “I have all, and abound,” as Paul says (Philippians 4:18). The person who thinks he has all is sure he has enough. He has all in hope too, because he will soon have all when he comes to heaven. On this basis Jacob urged Esau, and Esau accepted the gift.

It is a fine thing when faith makes people generous, open-handed, and free from petty behavior.

Then they speak about the rest of their journey. Esau offers to go with Jacob as his guide and companion, as a sign that they are truly reconciled, in Genesis 33:12. We do not find that Jacob and Esau were ever so friendly before. God’s work is complete. He had made Esau not only no longer an enemy, but a friend. This broken bone, once properly set, became stronger than before. Esau now loves Jacob’s company and invites him to Mount Seir. We should never give up on anyone, and we should never distrust God, whose hand holds every heart.

Still, Jacob wisely refuses the offer in Genesis 33:13-14. He shows careful concern for his family and flocks, like a good shepherd and a good father. He must consider the children and the young animals, and he must not drive them too hard. That kind of wisdom and tenderness should be copied by those who care for young people in the things of God. At first, they should not be pressed with heavy duties in religion, but led as they are able, with their work made as easy as possible. Christ, the good Shepherd, does this too (Isaiah 40:11).

Jacob does not ask Esau to slow down, and he does not force his own family to move faster. He also does not leave them behind just to stay with his brother, as many people would do who prefer company to their own household. Instead, he asks Esau to go ahead and says he will follow slowly, at the pace his household can manage. It is unreasonable to expect others to move at our speed. We may still come, in the end, to the same destination, even if we do not travel together or at the same pace. There may be people we cannot walk with closely, yet we do not need to part in anger along the way. Jacob tells Esau that he intends to come to him at Mount Seir, and we may suppose that he did so after settling his family and affairs elsewhere, though that visit is not recorded.

When we have happily made peace with our friends, we must keep it up and be careful not to fall behind them in kindness.

Esau offered some of his men to serve as Jacob’s guard and escort (Genesis 33:15). He saw that Jacob had only a small company, with servants who were mainly herdsmen and shepherds, and no pages or footmen. So he thought Jacob might want to appear more important, as Esau did, if he could afford it. He wanted to lend him some of his own men so Jacob could travel in a more impressive way, as Esau’s brother.

Jacob humbly refused, but he asked Esau not to take offense at his refusal: “What need is there?” Jacob did not need this for show, because he was not trying to make a display of worldly greatness by burdening himself with an unnecessary group of attendants. The empty pride of pomp and grandeur is that it requires a great deal that can only be asked about in this way, “What need is there?”

Jacob also did not need the escort for safety, because he was under God’s protection. Those who have God as their guard are guarded well enough. Those who have God’s strength every morning do not need to depend on human power. Jacob then said, “Only let me find favor in the sight of my lord.” In other words, if he had Esau’s good will, he had all he wanted. If Jacob valued the good will of a brother this much, then we have far more reason to think we have enough when we have the good will of our God.