6. The messengers returned to Jacob—Their report left Jacob in painful uncertainty as to what was his brother's views and feelings. Esau's studied reserve gave him reason to dread the worst. Jacob was naturally timid; but his conscience told him that there was much ground for apprehension, and his distress was all the more aggravated that he had to provide for the safety of a large and helpless family. read more
11. Jacob’s attempt to appease Esau 32:1-21Chapters 32 and 33 can be viewed as one episode in the life of Jacob. They describe his return to the Promised Land including his meeting with Esau. There are thematic parallels between these chapters and chapter 31.In spite of the vision of God’s assisting messengers, Jacob divided his people into two groups as a precaution when he heard Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men. Furthermore he sought to pacify Esau’s anger with an expensive gift in... read more
Why did Jacob initiate contact with Esau (Genesis 32:3)?"He knows that there can be no peace and quiet until his relations with Esau are assured and put on a proper footing. Not until that matter was settled could Jacob feel certain of his future." [Note: Thomas, p. 293. Cf. Matthew 5:23-25a.] Esau may have had a large army because he had had to subjugate the Horite (Hurrian) population of Seir (Genesis 32:6). His soldiers probably consisted of his own servants plus the Canaanite and Ishmaelite... read more
The Approach of Esau. Jacob Wrestles with the Angel1. The angels of God] God had given Jacob, by an angelic vision, a pledge of His watchful love, when he left his home (Genesis 28:12). Now that he was returning to Canaan after twenty years, and with dangers at hand, God renews this assurance by another heavenly vision.2. God’s host] Heb. Mahanaim. It was an important city in Gilead. 3. The land of Seir] or Edom, S. of the Dead Sea, where Esau settled (Genesis 36:8). 6, 7. Esau’s large retinue... read more
THE TÔLDÔTH ISAAC (Genesis 25:19 to Genesis 35:29). THE BIRTH OF ISAAC’S SONS.Abraham begat Isaac—The Tôldôth in its original form gave probably a complete genealogy of Isaac, tracing up his descent to Shem, and showing thereby that the right of primogeniture belonged to him; but the inspired historian uses only so much of this as is necessary for tracing the development of the Divine plan of human redemption.The Syrian.—Really, the Aramean, or descendant of Aram. (See Genesis 10:22-23.) The... read more
Jacob the Aspiring Genesis 32:1 We are accustomed to think of Jacob as a character of lights and shadows mingling without reason. I. As commonly understood, the portrait of this man does present an inconsistency. This apparently bad man has a beautiful dream, so beautiful that it has become immortal. What the best men of the past had not seen this fraudulent youth beholds. II. Why did the artist give such a vision to such a man? The previous life of Jacob had not been that prosaic thing which... read more
JACOB AT PENIELGenesis 32:1-32"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." James 4:10JACOB had a double reason for wishing to leave Padan-aram. He believed in the promise of God to give him Canaan: and he saw that Laban was a man with whom he could never be on a thoroughly good understanding. He saw plainly that Laban was resolved to make what he could out of his skill at as cheap a rate as possible-the characteristic of a selfish, greedy, ungrateful, and therefore,... read more
CHAPTER 32 Jacob’s Fear of Esau and Prayer at Peniel 1. The vision at Mahanaim (Genesis 32:1-2 ) 2. The message to Esau (Genesis 32:3-5 ) 3. Esau’s coming and Jacob’s fear (Genesis 32:6-8 ) 4. Jacob’s prayer (Genesis 32:9-12 ) 5. Preparing to meet Esau (Genesis 32:13-23 ) 6. Jacob’s prayer at Peniel (Genesis 32:24-32 ) What a welcome it was when he came near to his land, that the angels of God met him. They were like divine ambassadors sent to welcome him back to assure him of... read more
RETURNING TO FACE ESAU As Jacob continues his journey we are told that the angels of God met him (v.1). It was not God Himself as yet who met him, but the angels were no doubt intended as an encouragement for Jacob to be diligent to return all the way to the Lord's place for him. We may wonder in what way they appeared, but Jacob recognized them as "God's host," and names the place "Mahanaim," meaning "two camps." Jacob had not yet learned that his interests ought to be merged with God's... read more
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 32:3-12
"And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the field of Edom. And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye say unto my lord Esau: Thus saith thy servant Jacob, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now: and I have oxen, and asses and flocks, and men-servants, and maid-servants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in thy sight. And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and moreover he cometh to meet... read more