Jacob's Preparation for Meeting His Angry Brother
T. H. Leale. Genesis 32:3-9 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother to the land of Seir, the country of Edom.… I. HE TOOK THOSE MEASURES DICTATED BY HUMAN PRUDENCE. 1. He sends messengers of peace. 2. He divides his company into two bands. 3. He sends a present. II. HE TOOK THOSE MEASURES DICTATED BY RELIGION. Prayer. 1. He appeals to God as the Covenant God and Father (ver. 9). 2. He pleads God's gracious promise to himself. "The Lord which saidst unto me, "Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee." 3. He confesses his own unworthiness, and God's goodness and faithfulness (ver. 10). 4. He presents his special petition expressing his present want (ver. 11). He prays to be delivered from his brother's anger, the possible consequences of which were fearful to contemplate. 5. He cleaves to God's word of promise (ver. 12). God had promised to do him good, and to make his seed as the sand of the sea for multitude. And Jacob pleads as if he said, how could this promise be fulfilled if himself and his family were slain? This prayer shows the kind husband, the tender father, the man of faith and piety. (T. H. Leale.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom. WEB: Jacob sent messengers in front of him to Esau, his brother, to the land of Seir, the field of Edom.