Genesis 32:4

Genesis 32:4

2 When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s ^acamp.” And he called the name of that place¹ Mahanaim.

3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother ^ain the land of Seir, ^bthe country of Edom.

4 And he commanded them, saying, ^a“Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: “I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now.

5 ^aI have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that ^bI may find favor in your sight.” ’ ”

6 Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and ^ahe also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.”

7 So Jacob was greatly afraid and ^adistressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies.

8 And he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and¹ attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape.”

9 ^aThen Jacob said, ^b“O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord ^cwho said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’:

10 I am not worthy of the least of all the ^amercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with ^bmy staff, and now I have become two companies.

Commentaries:

John Wesley's Notes

<< Genesis 32:3

Genesis 32:5 >>

He calls Esau his lord, himself his servant, to intimate that he did not insist upon the prerogatives of the birth - right and blessing he had obtained for himself, but left it to God to fulfil his own purpose in his seed. He gives him a short account of himself, that he was not a fugitive and a vagabond, but though long absent had dwelt with his own relations. I have sojourned with Laban, and staid there till now: and that he was not a beggar, nor likely to be a charge to his relations; no, I have oxen and asses - This he knew would (if any thing) recommend him to Esau's good affection. And, he courts his favour; I have sent that I may find grace in thy sight - It is no disparagement to those that have the better cause to become petitioners for reconciliation, and to sue for peace as well as right.

<< Genesis 32:3

Genesis 32:5 >>

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