seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Genesis 32:13 He spent the night there, and from what he had with him he selected a gift for his brother Esau: 14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 15 thirty female camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. 16 He put them in the care of his servants, each herd by itself, and said to his servants, “Go ahead of me, and keep some space between the herds.”
17 He instructed the one in the lead: “When my brother Esau meets you and asks, ‘Who do you belong to, and where are you going, and who owns all these animals in front of you?’ 18 then you are to say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau, and he is coming behind us.’”
19 He also instructed the second, the third and all the others who followed the herds: “You are to say the same thing to Esau when you meet him. 20 And be sure to say, ‘Your servant Jacob is coming behind us.’” For he thought, “I will pacify him with these gifts I am sending on ahead; later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me.” 21 So Jacob’s gifts went on ahead of him, but he himself spent the night in the camp.
17 He instructed the one in the lead: “When my brother Esau meets you and asks, ‘Who do you belong to, and where are you going, and who owns all these animals in front of you?’ 18 then you are to say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift sent to my lord Esau, and he is coming behind us.’”
19 He also instructed the second, the third and all the others who followed the herds: “You are to say the same thing to Esau when you meet him. 20 And be sure to say, ‘Your servant Jacob is coming behind us.’” For he thought, “I will pacify him with these gifts I am sending on ahead; later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me.” 21 So Jacob’s gifts went on ahead of him, but he himself spent the night in the camp.
I've read this chapter a number of times. Every time I got so distracted by the numbers and animals that I missed the point. So I didn't bold that part this time.
This family is predictable. Just like Abraham and Isaac before him, Jacob insists on doing things the human way, without waiting on God to take care of it. I guess in some ways it's ok, considering he doesn't know any better.
This is what biblestudytools.com says about it. [Doesn't quite agree with me]
Jacob combined active exertions with earnest prayer; and this teaches us that we must not depend upon the aid and interposition of God in such a way as to supersede the exercise of prudence and foresight. Superiors are always approached with presents, and the respect expressed is estimated by the quality and amount of the gift. The present of Jacob consisted of five hundred fifty head of cattle, of different kinds, such as would be most prized by Esau. It was a most magnificent present, skilfully arranged and proportioned. The milch camels alone were of immense value; for the she camels form the principal part of Arab wealth; their milk is a chief article of diet; and in many other respects they are of the greatest use.
There was great prudence in this arrangement; for the present would thus have a more imposing appearance; Esau's passion would have time to cool as he passed each successive company; and if the first was refused, the others would hasten back to convey a timely warning.
The messengers were strictly commanded to say the same words [ Genesis 32:18 Genesis 32:20 ], that Esau might be more impressed and that the uniformity of the address might appear more clearly to have come from Jacob himself.
There was great prudence in this arrangement; for the present would thus have a more imposing appearance; Esau's passion would have time to cool as he passed each successive company; and if the first was refused, the others would hasten back to convey a timely warning.
The messengers were strictly commanded to say the same words [ Genesis 32:18 Genesis 32:20 ], that Esau might be more impressed and that the uniformity of the address might appear more clearly to have come from Jacob himself.
The studylight.org commentary agrees more with my thoughts on these verses.
Jacob sent such an impressive gift because he wanted to make it completely clear to Esau that he did not need or want anything from him. It also could have been an attempt to buy his brothers good favor.
In all likelihood, Jacob is a perfect example of the principle when all else fails, pray. As soon as he finished praying, he took up us own strategies again.
After all, if Jacob really trusted God, he would be at the head of the procession to meet Esau, not the tail.
Jacob hoped, perhaps he will accept me, but in Jacobs mind, perhaps not. Jacob also thought, Perhaps he will kill me just like he said he would.
In all likelihood, Jacob is a perfect example of the principle when all else fails, pray. As soon as he finished praying, he took up us own strategies again.
After all, if Jacob really trusted God, he would be at the head of the procession to meet Esau, not the tail.
Jacob hoped, perhaps he will accept me, but in Jacobs mind, perhaps not. Jacob also thought, Perhaps he will kill me just like he said he would.
The commentary at christianity.com says this.
Jacob's fear did not make him sink into despair, nor did his prayer make him presume upon God's mercy, without the use of means. God answers prayers by teaching us to order our affairs aright. To pacify Esau, Jacob sent him a present. We must not despair of reconciling ourselves to those most angry against us.
I guess I'm just one of those people who thinks we should depend on God first and ourselves second. I think we should learn from the past. Didn't we learn from Abraham and Isaac that God will provide the lamb? Oh wait.... in this case God already provided the lambs....and goats... and cattle....
Last edited: