Genesis 33:11

33:1-16 Jacob, having by prayer committed his case to God, went on his way. Come what will, nothing can come amiss to him whose heart is fixed, trusting in God. Jacob bowed to Esau. A humble, submissive behaviour goes far towards turning away wrath. Esau embraced Jacob. God has the hearts of all men in his hands, and can turn them when and how he pleases. It is not in vain to trust in God, and to call upon him in the day of trouble. And when a man's ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Esau receives Jacob as a brother, and much tenderness passes between them. Esau asks, Who are those with thee? To this common question, Jacob spoke like himself, like a man whose eyes are ever directed towards the Lord. Jacob urged Esau, though his fear was over, and he took his present. It is well when men's religion makes them generous, free-hearted, and open-handed. But Jacob declined Esau's offer to accompany him. It is not desirable to be too intimate with superior ungodly relations, who will expect us to join in their vanities, or at least to wink at them, though they blame, and perhaps mock at, our religion. Such will either be a snare to us, or offended with us. We shall venture the loss of all things, rather than endanger our souls, if we know their value; rather than renounce Christ, if we truly love him.

And let Jacob's care and tender attention to his family and flocks remind us of the good Shepherd of our souls, who gathers the lambs with his arm, and carries them in his bosom, and gently leads those that are with young, Isa 40:11. As parents, teachers or pastors, we should all follow his example.

Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee,.... The present he had sent him, now carrying home to his house, which was a part of what God had blessed Jacob with; and which he from a beneficent generous spirit gave his brother, wishing the blessing of God to go along with it; it was an insinuation, and so he would have it taken, that he wished him all happiness and prosperity: because God hath dealt graciously with me; in giving him so much substance, and now in giving him so much favour in the sight of Esau, whom he dreaded: and because I have enough; a sufficiency of all good things, being thoroughly contented with his state and circumstance; or "I have all things" (p), all kind of good things, everything that was necessary for him; the expression is stronger than Esau's; and indeed Jacob had besides a large share of temporal mercies, all spiritual ones; God was his covenant God and Father, Christ was his Redeemer, the Spirit his sanctifier; he had all grace bestowed on him, and was an heir of glory: and he urged him, and he took it: being pressing on him, or importunate with him, he accepted of his present. (p) "sunt mihi omnia", Pagninus, Montanus, Munster, Vatablus, Drusius, Cartwright.

11 . gift ] Heb. blessing ; LXX τὰς εὐλογίας μου ; Lat. benedictionem . The “gift” is the material side of the “blessing”; and the word “blessing” is thus used for a gift, in Joshua 15:19 ; Jdg 1:15 ; 1 Samuel 25:27 ; 1 Samuel 30:26 ; 2 Kings 5:15 . The word benedictio was similarly used to denote a gift in the Middle Ages. The “liberal soul” of Proverbs 11:25 is a “soul, or person, of blessing.” enough ] Heb. “all.” Jacob means that in the kindness of Esau he has everything. Perhaps also there is an allusion to the Divine blessing in Genesis 32:29 . urged ] Until Esau had accepted the gift, Jacob’s suspicious nature could not feel secure. Genesis 33:11

11. He urged him and he took it—In the East the acceptance by a superior is a proof of friendship, and by an enemy, of reconciliation. It was on both accounts Jacob was so anxious that his brother should receive the cattle; and in Esau's acceptance he had the strongest proofs of a good feeling being established that Eastern notions admit of.

Jacob, upon seeing Esau approach with his four hundred men, advances with circumspection and lowly obeisance. He divided his family, arranged them according to their preciousness in his eyes, and walks himself in front. In drawing near, he bows seven times, in token of complete submission to his older brother. Esau, the wild hunter, is completely softened, and manifests the warmest affection, which is reciprocated by Jacob. The puncta extraordinaria over וישׁקהוּ vayı̂shēqēhû, "and kissed him," seemingly intimating a doubt of the reading or of the sincerity of Esau, are wholly unwarranted. Esau then observes the women and children, and inquires who they are. Jacob replies that God had granted, graciously bestowed on him, these children. They approach in succession, and do obeisance. Esau now inquires of the caravan or horde he had already met. He had heard the announcement of the servants; but he awaited the confirmation of the master. "To find grace in the eyes of my lord." Jacob values highly the good-will of his brother. The acceptance of this present is the security for that good-will, and for all the safety and protection which it involved. Esau at first declines the gift, but on being urged by Jacob accepts it, and thereby relieves Jacob of all his anxiety.

His brother is now his friend indeed. "Therefore, have I seen thy face," that I might give thee this token of my affection. "As if I had seen the face of God." The unexpected kindness with which his brother had received him was a type and proof of the kindness of the All-provident, by whom it had been added to all his other mercies. My blessing; my gift which embodies my good wishes. I have all; not only enough, but all that I can wish.

Blessing: i.e., the present, expressive of his desire to bless, as in 1 Samuel 25:27 ; 1 Samuel 30:26 . הבאת: for הבאה, as in Deuteronomy 31:29 ; Isaiah 7:14 , etc.; sometimes also in verbs הל, Leviticus 25:21 ; Leviticus 26:34 . כל ישׁ־לי: "I have all" (not all kinds of things); viz as the heir of the divine promise.

[Reformed Biblical] nciled face I see the face and favour of God thus manifested unto me. Genesis 33:11 ## Take, I pray thee, my blessing; this gift, which as I received from God’s blessing, so I heartily give it to thee with my blessing and prayer, that God would abundantly bless it to thee. Gifts are oft called blessings, as Jos_15:19 1Sa_25:27 30:26 . Genesis 33:12 Or rather, beside thee, so as to keep thee company, or to keep pace with thee. Genesis 33:13 ## The children are tender; the eldest of them, Reuben, not being yet fourteen years old. ## The flocks and herds with young are with me; or, upon me, i.e. committed to my care, to be managed as their necessities require. See Isa_40:11. Genesis 33:14 We do not read that Jacob did according to this promise or insinuation go to Seir; either therefore he changed his first intentions for some wei ghty reasons, or upon warning from God; or he used this only as a pretence, which we should not too easily believe of so good a man, especially after such dangers and deliverances; or rather he did perform this promise, though the Scripture be silent of it, as it is of many other historical passages, and as it is here concerning Jacob’s visiting of his father Isaac, which is not mentioned till ten years after this time; and yet it is utterly incredible that Jacob should be so near to his dear and worthy father for so long a time together, and not once give him a visit. Genesis 33:17 ## Built him an house, w