Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/228

 210

7

lie

Book of Genesis

almost perished at Laban's hands, and would have perished

had not God intervened. Now that the danger was past, Jacob must prepare for We would the greater danger of the meeting with Esau. expect that now he would remember God's word that he should return in peace to his father's house. But the habits of the last six years were too strong to be shaken off in a

moment.

He

failed to realize that only

through God's inter-

vention had he escaped this last danger, and his mind was of plans

full

how he might meet

Esau, and avert his wrath

He would send mesEsau of his coming, and with instructions to notice carefully and bring back speedy report of how Esau received this news, and what were the prospects of reconciliation. They might hint, too, that Jacob had prospered exceedingly, and would make due compensation, if And at the actual necessary, for the wrong done to Esau. meeting with his brother, Jacob would act warily and with

as

little

sacrifice

as

possible.

sengers to apprise

craftily.

Unfortunately for Jacob, his plans miscarried from the The messengers brought back word that Esau was Their purhastening to meet him with four hundred men.

outset.

was too late to flee with all his Esau could have overtaken him as Laban had done. Nothing remained but to meet

pose was unmistakable.

It

family and possessions. easily as

And now, in his scheming had availed

him, and to take every possible precaution. distress,

when

all

his

planning and

naught, Jacob bethought himself of that other source of help and protection, whom he had well nigh forgotten during these six years of material prosperity, God. to

Him

And

he turned

with a fervent prayer, acknowledging his littleness

and unworthiness, and imploring help and protection in this moment of peril. Yet how could he tell whether his prayer would be answered? Prosperity through deceit during these If God would six vears had dulled the edge of his faith.