Genesis 32:17
And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee? And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee?
Genesis 32:17 belongs to Jacob's return to his homeland at God's command after the exile that followed his deception, when he recalled God's favor and His promises of help and guidance while traveling with his defenseless wives, children, flocks and herds. He was filled with terror and self-reproach because his own sin in taking Esau's blessing had brought the danger, as Esau approached with warriors threatening violent revenge. Esau might fear that Jacob had come to claim their father's inheritance, and that fear could lead him to violence, so Jacob prepared for the encounter with concern about Esau's response.
Though his only hope was God's mercy and his only defense was prayer, Jacob left nothing undone himself to atone for the wrong and avert danger, sending droves ahead with careful instructions to appease his brother and make peace. He told his servants to approach Esau respectfully and deferentially and to answer his questions about whom they served, where they were going, and whose gifts were going ahead of them. He had them present Esau as lord and Jacob as his servant, explain that Jacob was wealthy and not returning destitute to claim the inheritance, and ask to find favor, mindful that the prophecy about the elder serving the younger could embitter Esau.
Jacob's fear and distress before meeting Esau foreshadows the final trouble of believers, with Jacob representing believers and Esau representing unbelievers, a situation like that the saints face in the closing conflict with the image beast. Jacob's practical effort to place himself in a proper light, disarm prejudice, and avert danger represents what God's people must do approaching the time of trouble, making every exertion to disarm prejudice and avert the danger threatening liberty of conscience.