then you are to say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift, sent to my lord Esau. And behold, Jacob is behind us.’”
Jacob, having piously made God his friend by a prayer, is here prudently endeavouring to make Esau his friend by a present. He had prayed to God to deliver him from the had of Esau, for he feared him; but neither did his fear sink into such a despair as dispirits for the use of means, nor did his prayer make him presume upon God's...
Commenting on Genesis 32:13-23
Then thou shall say, they be thy servant Jacob's,.... Both the goats before them, and they themselves that had the care of them, belonged to Jacob, who directed them to speak of him to Esau as his "servant": it is a present sent unto my lord Esau; which is the answer to the second question: and behold also he is behind us: that is, Jacob...
Gen 32:14-22 Although hoping for aid and safety from the Lord alone, Jacob neglected no means of doing what might help to appease his brother. Having taken up his quarters for the night in the place where he received the tidings of Esau’s approach, he selected from his flocks (“of that which came to his hand,” i.e., which he had acquired) a very respectable present...
Commenting on Genesis 32:14-22