"Jacob greatly feared, and he was distressed." Genesis 32:8
Jacob used three strategies to protect himself, as he went to meet his brother, Esau, who was already
on his way (with four hundred men) to kill him. (Genesis 32:7)
1) He sent him a large piece of his newly acquired
wealth in the hope that it would calm his wrath. (Genesis 32:14)
2) He used military strategy by dividing his camp
into two sections, so that at least half of his people would escape, should Esau physically attack. (Genesis 32:9)
3)
After he made use of all the natural courses of action at his disposal, Jacob prayed, placing himself in Yahveh’s
hands and at His Mercy. (Genesis 32:10)
What happened next? Jacob did save himself and his family. Esau ran forth to meet Jacob and kissed
him but they did not become lifelong friends. (Genesis 33:4) Jacob made an excuse to part company as soon as possible, and
there was no recorded meeting between them until Isaac's death many years later. (Genesis 35:29)
There was, and still is until this day, an uneasy truce between the two brothers. The reason? The Torah
tells us that Esau did not honor the birthright ceded to Jacob, as we read: "Esau and Jacob buried
him." Esau being mentioned first in this verse reveals this prophetic truth. (Genesis 35:29)
