And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.
The verse records that Jacob took his family and all he possessed and sent them over the brook, over the ford of the Jabbok, at night, and then remained alone before his nighttime struggle. This took place as he was returning toward Canaan, his native country and homeland, at God's command after many years of exile with his wives and children and flocks and herds, and reaching its borders. There he was terrified by news that Esau was approaching with a band of warriors bent on revenge, while his own company was unarmed and defenseless and seemed about to fall helpless victim to violence and slaughter. He feared Esau might oppose him and claim the family wealth as his own.
In that danger remorse and self-reproach were added to anxiety and fear, because his own sin in deceiving his father to secure the blessing intended for Esau and his flight for his life had brought the danger. Yet he recalled God's favor and promises of help and guidance. His only hope was in the mercy of God and his only defense was prayer, and he remained alone to pray in hope that God would soften his brother's heart. Even while trusting in prayer, by sending over what he had he left nothing undone on his own part to atone for the wrong to his brother and to avert the threatened danger. He sent conciliatory messengers and addressed Esau deferentially so as not to renew his anger.
In prophecy Jacob represents believers and Esau represents unbelievers. Jacob's fear and distress as Esau approached points to the trouble believers will face in the closing conflict with the image beast, and his struggle gives its name to the saints' time of Jacob's trouble. Its setting is linked to Jesus pleading for the remnant while the four angels are told to hold back until God's servants are sealed. For followers of Christ as they approach the time of trouble, the verse means they must do as Jacob did, making every exertion to place themselves in a proper light before the people, to disarm prejudice, and to avert the danger threatening liberty of conscience.
The verse records that Jacob took his family and all he possessed and sent them over the brook, over the ford of the Jabbok, at night, and then remained alone before his nighttime struggle. This took place as he was returning toward Canaan, his native country and homeland, at God's command after many years of exile with his wives and children and flocks and herds, and reaching its borders. There he was terrified by news that Esau was approaching with a band of warriors bent on revenge, while his own company was unarmed and defenseless and seemed about to fall helpless victim to violence and slaughter. He feared Esau might oppose him and claim the family wealth as his own.
In that danger remorse and self-reproach were added to anxiety and fear, because his own sin in deceiving his father to secure the blessing intended for Esau and his flight for his life had brought the danger. Yet he recalled God's favor and promises of help and guidance. His only hope was in the mercy of God and his only defense was prayer, and he remained alone to pray in hope that God would soften his brother's heart. Even while trusting in prayer, by sending over what he had he left nothing undone on his own part to atone for the wrong to his brother and to avert the threatened danger. He sent conciliatory messengers and addressed Esau deferentially so as not to renew his anger.
In prophecy Jacob represents believers and Esau represents unbelievers. Jacob's fear and distress as Esau approached points to the trouble believers will face in the closing conflict with the image beast, and his struggle gives its name to the saints' time of Jacob's trouble. Its setting is linked to Jesus pleading for the remnant while the four angels are told to hold back until God's servants are sealed. For followers of Christ as they approach the time of trouble, the verse means they must do as Jacob did, making every exertion to place themselves in a proper light before the people, to disarm prejudice, and to avert the danger threatening liberty of conscience.