And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;
Genesis 32:13 belongs to Jacob's return to Canaan, his native land, after twenty years away, as he retraced the road he had traveled as a fugitive and arrived at its borders at God's command with his wives and children and flocks and herds, with heavenly angels guarding him on the journey. That return followed his deception of his father to take Esau's blessing, which had caused his exile and flight from Esau's deadly threats, and as he came back he was troubled as he remembered that sin and its consequences alongside God's favor and promises of help and guidance. On learning that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men, a band of warriors bent on revenge against his unarmed and defenseless company, Jacob was terrified and distressed, crushed by self-reproach because his own sin had brought the danger, with prayer as his only defense and hope only in God's mercy.
Esau might fear that Jacob had come to claim their father's inheritance, and might seek revenge or act to protect the wealth he considered his own. Lodging there that night, Jacob took from what he had, from his own possessions, a generous present for Esau to make peace, to make amends and atone for the wrong done to his brother, and to secure safety by averting the threatened violence and danger. The gift was sent with a friendly, conciliatory message in which Jacob addressed Esau as lord and himself as servant and explained that he had substantial possessions, so Esau would not think he was returning destitute to claim their father's inheritance.
In this account Jacob represents believers and Esau represents unbelievers. The account of Jacob's time of trouble to which the verse belongs serves as the background for the final anguish and deliverance of God's people. Jacob's example of leaving nothing undone on his own part teaches that followers of Christ approaching the time of trouble must likewise make every exertion to place themselves in a proper light before the people, to disarm prejudice, and to avert the danger threatening liberty of conscience.
Genesis 32:13 belongs to Jacob's return to Canaan, his native land, after twenty years away, as he retraced the road he had traveled as a fugitive and arrived at its borders at God's command with his wives and children and flocks and herds, with heavenly angels guarding him on the journey. That return followed his deception of his father to take Esau's blessing, which had caused his exile and flight from Esau's deadly threats, and as he came back he was troubled as he remembered that sin and its consequences alongside God's favor and promises of help and guidance. On learning that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men, a band of warriors bent on revenge against his unarmed and defenseless company, Jacob was terrified and distressed, crushed by self-reproach because his own sin had brought the danger, with prayer as his only defense and hope only in God's mercy.
Esau might fear that Jacob had come to claim their father's inheritance, and might seek revenge or act to protect the wealth he considered his own. Lodging there that night, Jacob took from what he had, from his own possessions, a generous present for Esau to make peace, to make amends and atone for the wrong done to his brother, and to secure safety by averting the threatened violence and danger. The gift was sent with a friendly, conciliatory message in which Jacob addressed Esau as lord and himself as servant and explained that he had substantial possessions, so Esau would not think he was returning destitute to claim their father's inheritance.
In this account Jacob represents believers and Esau represents unbelievers. The account of Jacob's time of trouble to which the verse belongs serves as the background for the final anguish and deliverance of God's people. Jacob's example of leaving nothing undone on his own part teaches that followers of Christ approaching the time of trouble must likewise make every exertion to place themselves in a proper light before the people, to disarm prejudice, and to avert the danger threatening liberty of conscience.