And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
Genesis 32:3 places Jacob near the end of his return journey from Padan-aram to his homeland after twenty years away as a fugitive, with Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. As he retraced the road he was troubled by the memory of deceiving his father to obtain the blessing intended for Esau, feeling the weight of his own sin and its consequences, while also recalling God's favor and promises of help and guidance. Esau was now in a position to harm Jacob and might respond violently to news of his return, fearing Jacob would claim their father's inheritance and wanting to keep the wealth he had long regarded as his own. Jacob sent a humble, conciliatory message ahead to his brother Esau in Seir, seeking peace as he prepared to meet him. He had the messengers address Esau as my lord and himself as thy servant, mindful that the prophecy that the elder would serve the younger could make Esau bitter.
He also had them tell Esau that he had substantial possessions, so his return would not appear to be a destitute claim on the family inheritance. When the messengers returned saying Esau was coming with four hundred men, a band of warriors, Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed and divided his people and possessions into two groups so that one might escape if the other were attacked. Along with seeking God's mercy in prayer, Jacob did what he could to make amends and avert the threat. Jacob's meeting with Esau represents the closing conflict between believers and unbelievers, and his fear and distress on hearing Esau was coming applies to the saints' distress during the final conflict with the image beast. His crisis represents the affliction and distress God's people will face in the time of trouble, when they must rely on God while making every effort to avert danger and prejudice.
Genesis 32:3 places Jacob near the end of his return journey from Padan-aram to his homeland after twenty years away as a fugitive, with Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. As he retraced the road he was troubled by the memory of deceiving his father to obtain the blessing intended for Esau, feeling the weight of his own sin and its consequences, while also recalling God's favor and promises of help and guidance. Esau was now in a position to harm Jacob and might respond violently to news of his return, fearing Jacob would claim their father's inheritance and wanting to keep the wealth he had long regarded as his own. Jacob sent a humble, conciliatory message ahead to his brother Esau in Seir, seeking peace as he prepared to meet him. He had the messengers address Esau as my lord and himself as thy servant, mindful that the prophecy that the elder would serve the younger could make Esau bitter.
He also had them tell Esau that he had substantial possessions, so his return would not appear to be a destitute claim on the family inheritance. When the messengers returned saying Esau was coming with four hundred men, a band of warriors, Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed and divided his people and possessions into two groups so that one might escape if the other were attacked. Along with seeking God's mercy in prayer, Jacob did what he could to make amends and avert the threat. Jacob's meeting with Esau represents the closing conflict between believers and unbelievers, and his fear and distress on hearing Esau was coming applies to the saints' distress during the final conflict with the image beast. His crisis represents the affliction and distress God's people will face in the time of trouble, when they must rely on God while making every effort to avert danger and prejudice.