Genesis 32:13-21

Genesis 32:13-21

[13] And he lodged  there that same night;  and took  of that which came  to his hand  a present  for Esau  his brother;  [14] Two hundred  she goats,  and twenty  he goats,  two hundred  ewes,  and twenty  rams,  [15] Thirty  milch  camels  with their colts,  forty  kine,  and ten  bulls,  twenty  she asses,  and ten  foals.  [16] And he delivered  them into the hand  of his servants,  every drove  by themselves; and said  unto his servants,  Pass over  before me,  and put  a space  betwixt  drove  and  drove.  [17] And he commanded  the foremost,  saying,  When Esau  my brother  meeteth thee,  and asketh thee,  saying,  thou? and whose are these before  [18] Then thou shalt say,  They be thy servant  Jacob's;  it is a present  sent  unto my lord  Esau:  and, behold, also he is behind us.  [19] And so  commanded he  the second,  and the third,  and all that followed  the droves,  saying,  On this manner  shall ye speak  unto Esau,  when ye find  [20] And say ye  moreover,  Behold, thy servant  Jacob  is behind us.  For he said,  I will appease  him  with the present  that goeth  before me,  and afterward  I will see  his face;  peradventure he will accept  of me.  [21] the present  over  before him:  and himself lodged  that night  in the company. 

What does Genesis 32:13-21 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Though he hoped for God"s help, Jacob did not fail to do all he could to appease his brother ( Genesis 32:13-15). He offered his magnanimous gifts diplomatically to pacify his offended brother.
"As the narrative unfolds, however, it was not Jacob"s plan that succeeded but his prayer. When he met with Esau, he found that Esau had had a change of heart. Running to meet Jacob, Esau embraced and kissed him and wept ( Genesis 33:4). All of Jacob"s plans and schemes had come to naught. In spite of them all, God had prepared Jacob"s way." [1]
Jacob"s ability to give Esau580 animals proves that God had made him enormously wealthy.
"Jacob"s behavioral response was classically narcissistic." [2]
In view of God"s promises believers can pray with confidence for His deliverance and do not need to give away His provisions to appease their enemies.