Genesis 32:3 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
This leads us into our study for today, because Esau had formed an unreasonable prejudice, opinion and feeling about his brother, without enough thought or knowledge, just like the meaning of the word in the Cambridge dictionary. Jacob had spent many years in exile, and during that time he had become a changed man through God’s grace. Since the time when he fled for his life he has been baptized, and is now an elder in the church in good and regular standing.
But, Esau apparently did not know this. As far as Esau knows, it’s the same old crook coming back to his old tricks of wheeling and dealing and as far as Esau is concerned, he will have none of it. He has had it up to here with Jacob, and now it is time for justice to be served. These were Esau’s thoughts of prejudice. Thus, Esau, who had harbored hatred, and revenge for the birthright he had sold to Jacob, wasn’t in any good mood, when he learned of Jacob’s approach.
All of the bad feelings and animosities he cherished for years in his heart now sprung up, and bore fruit in actions that were akin to getting even. Jacob, knowing that he himself had practiced fraud in obtaining the birthright, was filled with reproach and remorse for the course of action he had taken, and thus, in order to preempt any malice on Esau’s part, he now takes positive remedial steps to cool down his brother’s frayed nerves.
Genesis 32:4 And he commanded them, saying, thus shall you speak unto my lord Esau; your servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!