32:1a
Jacob originally went down to Laban to escape his brother’s ire. He has now been away for some twenty years. During that time he has been occupied with many other difficulties! However, the problem of Esau still remains. He has had no contact with Esau and has no idea how Esau now views him. If Esau is still as angry as he was twenty years ago, is he still after his blood? The only guide he has had is the imaginations of his own mind, and this is a most unreliable guide! We all know that our minds are very good at producing all sorts of disastrous scenarios, most or all of which are just so much nonsense.
32:1b,2
While on his way, the “angels of God” meet Jacob. This must have been an encouragement to him, but the issue he has to face still remains. However, Jacob is encouraged, at least to some degree, and he calls the place Mahanaim, which means “two camps”. He is travelling, God is travelling with him. Note that we are not told what, if anything, the angels said to him. It was the presence of God that mattered.
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