Genesis 32:6, commentary and pictures

The messengers came back to Jacob with no friendly answer, only the news that Esau was on his way to meet him with four hundred men. The report terrified and distressed Jacob, for he took the four hundred to be warriors marching to take revenge by force and to slaughter his unarmed and defenseless company. He had returned after twenty years of exile as a fugitive for stealing his father's blessing from Esau, and with guilt for his past sin confronting him even amid God's favor and the two hosts of angels at Mahanaim, he divided his people and goods into two bands and turned to prayer as his only defense while doing all he could to atone for the wrong. His terror and distress foreshadow the anguish of the righteous in the time of Jacob's trouble just before the Lord's coming, when a decree to put them to death leaves them surrounded with no visible escape. It teaches that as that time approaches God's people are to cry to Him day and night for deliverance, while praying and making every exertion to correct wrongs, disarm prejudice, and avert the danger threatening liberty of conscience.

Setting and Immediate Meaning

Jacob's messengers came back after carrying his conciliatory greeting to Esau, and reported that Esau was on his way to meet Jacob with four hundred men. They brought no answer to the friendly message, only the news of Esau's approach with that large company. That report placed Jacob in immediate danger just before the brothers met.

The tidings frightened, terrified and greatly distressed him, bringing him face to face with danger and immediate crisis. He was left unsure whether to retreat or to advance, and the crisis drove him to earnest appeal to God.

He took the four hundred men to be a band of warriors marching against him, doubtless bent on revenge. He therefore feared violent attack, slaughter and even death, with his unarmed and defenseless household about to fall as helpless victims before a dangerous force. That fear included the threat that Esau might use force against him and against his claim to the family inheritance, destroying his company.

This came as Jacob was returning from Padan-aram after twenty years away as a fugitive, at the borders of his native country. He had fled for his life years before and remained many years an exile because by deception he had secured his father's blessing intended for Esau and had provoked Esau's deadly threats. He was now returning at God's command with his wives and children and his flocks and herds, with the guilt of his past sin and its consequences confronting him amid signs of God's favor, promises, guidance and protection. Two hosts of heavenly angels accompanied him on the return journey, and he named the place Mahanaim, meaning two hosts or two camps, recalling the vision at Bethel and the divine messengers who had encouraged him when he fled Canaan.

To his anxiety and fear was added the crushing weight of self-reproach, for his own sin had brought the danger. His only hope lay in the mercy of God and his only defense in prayer. Yet he left nothing undone on his own part to atone for the wrong to his brother and to avert the threatened danger. He divided his people and possessions into two groups, so that if Esau attacked one the other might escape.

Prophecy and Present Application

Jacob's danger and terror and distress at hearing that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men represent the anguish of the righteous in the later time of Jacob's trouble and time of trouble just before the Lord's coming. That coming trouble is when a decree goes forth to put them to death, when the wicked surround them, and when like Jacob they see no escape from their enemies. In that prophetic picture Esau represents unbelievers, and Jacob's danger represents the trouble believers will face in the closing conflict with the Image Beast. Jacob's prayer for deliverance from Esau represents the righteous crying to God day and night for deliverance from those surrounding them, and the chapter belongs alongside the scene of divine restraint and intercession for God's people.

The tidings filled Jacob with terror as he reached the borders of his native country, for he had fled for his life years before because of the deception he practiced to secure his father's blessing intended for Esau and because of Esau's deadly threats, and after remaining many years an exile he was returning at God's command with his wives and children and his flocks and herds. He took the four hundred men to be a band of warriors doubtless bent upon revenge, against whom his own company, unarmed and defenseless, seemed about to fall as helpless victims of violence and slaughter, and he had reason to fear because his own sin had provoked his brother. To his anxiety and fear was added the crushing weight of self-reproach, for his own sin had brought this danger, leaving his only hope in the mercy of God and his only defense in prayer, yet he left nothing undone on his own part to atone for the wrong to his brother and to avert the threatened danger. This experience represents the trial of God's people in the time of trouble, who as they approach that time should likewise pray and make every exertion to correct wrongs, to place themselves in a proper light before the people, to disarm prejudice, and to avert the danger which threatens liberty of conscience.