321 Now as Jacob went on his way , the angels of God met him. 2 Jacob said when he saw them, "This is God's camp ." So he named e that place Mahanaim .
3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir , the country of Edom . 4 He also commanded them saying , "Thus you shall say to my lord Esau : 'Thus says your servant Jacob , "I have sojourned with Laban , and stayed until now ; 5 I have oxen and donkeys and flocks and male and female servants e ; and I have sent to tell my lord , that I may find favor in your sight .""' 6 The messengers returned to Jacob , saying , "We came to your brother Esau , and furthermore he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him." 7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed ; and he divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and the herds and the camels , into two companies ; 8 for he said , "If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the company which is left will escape ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 32:1-8
Commentary on Genesis 32:1-8
(Read Genesis 32:1-8)
The angels of God appeared to Jacob, to encourage him with the assurance of the Divine protection. When God designs his people for great trials, he prepares them by great comforts. While Jacob, to whom the promise belonged, had been in hard service, Esau was become a prince. Jacob sent a message, showing that he did not insist upon the birth-right. Yielding pacifies great offences, Ecclesiastes 10:4. We must not refuse to speak respectfully, even to those unjustly angry with us. Jacob received an account of Esau's warlike preparations against him, and was greatly afraid. A lively sense of danger, and quickening fear arising from it, may be found united with humble confidence in God's power and promise.