Genesis 33:12 Commentary and Bible Study

Esau then makes a further proposal. He suggests they travel together, or not far apart: Esau will go ahead and Jacob will come close behind him at roughly the same speed. Esau is perhaps going to prepare a reception for Jacob at his home. Jacob knows where Esau is living, for he has previously sent messengers to Esau to explain his situation (Genesis 32:3-5). But Jacob declines this invitation, again in very reverent terms, and explains that this would be too fast for the young family and large flocks and herds he has; he must travel at a slower speed.Jacob is wary of his brother. That does not mean that he suspects Esau of trickery or malice on this specific occasion, but Jacob knows enough about his brother and about human nature in general not to overtax the goodwill of Esau. If Esau has been restrained by God and caused to show a friendly face, that is something to be deeply thankful for, but human nature cannot remain stable for long. Sooner or later, if they spend time together, Esau is going to remember the differences between them. He will recall that God has chosen Jacob not himself; he will reflect on the fact that Jacob has been given the birthright and the headship of the family, and he Esau, is required to submit to God’s choice. That will be too much for the flesh to bear.Jacob says that he will follow on at a slower pace which the cattle and the children can bear. Esau has a party of grown men who are able to go much faster. But here it is asked whether Jacob lied to Esau when he said he would come to Esau in Seir, Mount Seir, because that is not where verses 17-20 report that he subsequently went. It is very unlikely that this was a bare lie, for Jacob is a changed man. Some believe this was an act of deception motivated by fear, but others offer alternative explanations. Maybe Jacob did go to Seir first, for the record does not necessarily include his every movement. Maybe he first secured a place for his family – which would be the natural thing to expect in the circumstances – and then came to Esau afterwards. Esau would not have expected Jacob to settle in Seir with him, when he knew his father Isaac was still alive and living in Canaan and that Jacob had allotted the promised land. Besides, Jacob had large flocks and herds and needed his own pastures to feed them. Finally Esau offers to leave some men with Jacob, presumably to show them the way, and again Jacob graciously declines, being careful to maintain the utmost respect for his sensitive brother.