Genesis 32:13-23 – Pacifying Esau

Jacob has turned to God in prayer for deliverance from Esau. Now he comes up with a plan to pacify his brother. When we have prayed to God for help, we must then make an effort, using the means God has provided, to get rid of our problems. Otherwise, we presume and test God when we pray and sit back waiting for the solution to fall out of the sky, when God gives us the means to help ourselves.

Jacob sends Esau a very expensive present in order to pacify him – over 550 animals! This is evidence of how greatly God has blessed Jacob that he can spare so many. It also shows Jacob’s wisdom that he will part with some to keep from losing the rest to war. Greed usually loses more for men than it ever gets them. Jacob thinks that this present will be acceptable to Esau, and he hopes that by it, he will win Esau’s favour. Jacob sends a very humble message to Esau. He is careful to tell him that he is still coming, so that Esau will not think that Jacob has fled in fear.

We should never despair of reconciling ourselves to others until we have tried, even to those who have been most exasperating. The cost of peace is often worth it.