Genesis 32:7
Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands; Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;
Jacob became greatly afraid and distressed on hearing that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men, and he divided the people with him with the flocks, herds, camels and livestock into two bands so that if one were struck the other might escape. He was then returning to his native country at God's command, reluctant because he feared Esau, yet surrounded on the way by two hosts of angels for protection as at Bethel when he fled, which he memorialized by naming the place Mahanaim. His company was unarmed and defenseless against threatened violence and slaughter from revenge or to guard the inheritance, and his anguish was deepened by the knowledge that his own sin and deception had brought the danger, so he relied on God's mercy in prayer while also taking practical steps to avert it. Jacob here represents the righteous, and his fear and distress prefigure their situation in the final conflict over worship of the image of the beast, when a decree to put them to death leaves them fearful and seeing no escape. That anguish is the time of Jacob's trouble just before the Lord comes, when the saints are surrounded by the wicked and cry to God day and night until He delivers them.
Jacob's Fear and Precautions
On hearing that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men or warriors, Jacob became greatly afraid and distressed. The report came as he was returning to his native country at God's command and neared home, and he had been reluctant to leave Laban because he feared encountering Esau. On the way two hosts of angels surrounded and accompanied him for protection, recalling the vision at Bethel that had given him hope and courage when he fled, and he named the place Mahanaim, meaning two hosts or two camps.
His company was unarmed and defenseless and appeared threatened with violence and slaughter. He foresaw that Esau might attack from revenge or to protect the inheritance he had long regarded as his own. His distress was deepened by self-reproach and the knowledge that his own sin and deception had brought the danger upon him. To secure his safety before the meeting he sent a conciliatory message, addressing Esau deferentially as his lord and emphasizing that he had possessions and servants rather than returning as a destitute wanderer.
He divided the people with him and the flocks, herds, camels and livestock into two bands or groups. The purpose was that if Esau struck one, the other might escape. In the danger he relied on God's mercy and prayer while also taking practical steps to avert the threat.
Foreshadowing the Final Trouble
Jacob stands for believers and for the righteous, and his being greatly afraid and distressed on learning that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men foreshadows the like situation they will face in the final conflict.
That foreshadowed conflict centers on worship of the image of the beast, when a decree to kill the faithful brings them fear and distress as his approach brought it to him.
His fear and anguish portray the trouble of the righteous just before the Lord comes, when a decree goes forth to put them to death and the wicked surround them, leaving them seeing no way of escape.
The whole chapter belongs to the time of Jacob's trouble, when the saints are in anguish over the threat against them.
As he did, they will cry to God day and night for deliverance, and He will deliver them.