Genesis 32:5 And I have oxen, asses, flocks, and menservants, and women-servants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
The phrases “My lord Esau” and “Your servant Jacob speak volumes of a man in contrition, who does not want to ruffle any feathers, a man who is also willing to avoid trouble at all costs, because of previous misconceptions, skirmishes, misunderstandings, and actual misdeeds that were done in former years. Jacob also goes a step further by basically telling his brother that he now very rich.
Now, why would he tell his brother this? He speaks like this to show that he will not be a threat to Esau’s prosperity, if for any reason prejudice in his brother’s heart may have led Esau to believe that Jacob was coming back to claim his share of the pie in the will that his parents made. At this point, we have a bit of bad news for you, for Jacob’s efforts fell on deaf ears and instead of peace he is now facing the prospect of annihilation from a family member who is bent on revenge.
There are times when soothing words do not do the trick and you just might have to go one step further in disarming prejudice. When you have a ticked off family member on your heels, you might have to go over and beyond to try to allay their concerns, even if those concerns might be unwarranted.
Genesis 32:6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, we came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!