Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/284

Rh 266

Book of Cnicsis

TJie

He, too, had been deceived by Laban. And howhimself. had he requited him? Only with counter-deceit. And how For he knew much worse was his conduct than Laban's Yet if, knowing by bitter experience what deceit meant. all this, he had still met deceit with deceit, why expect Esau Surely he dared hope for naught to act at all differently? but hatred and revenge from Esau, and surely, too, he deNow, too, he realized how he had fallen served no more. short in his dealings with Laban, and that two wrongs never make one right that Laban's deceit had probably been the last trial sent by God to determine his real worth and the Now he knew that he had extent of his self-purification. And if he, then why not Esau too? What fallen short. reason had he to expect better treatment from Esau than he had accorded to Laban? He was judging Esau only by himself and the evil light in which he now saw Esau, was but the reflection of the light in which he saw himself. So we judge our neighbors largely by it is constantly with us ourselves. Often the faults we see in them are but the re!







flection of greater

demnation of

faults in ourselves.

our neighbor should be

And a

often our concondemnation of

ourselves.

So Jacob feared; and he took what precautions he could, He sent poor precautions which his fear suggested. messengers to Esau to announce his coming, and, if possible, to sound Esau and bring back word of his probable reception In all likelihood had the report been unfavorable, of Jacob. Jacob would still have turned aside, even despite God's command to return, and His promise that He would still be with him. But all this Esau frustrated by coming himself with all dispatch, and attended by four hundred men, to meet Jacob. There could be no mistaking his evil intentions. The messengers reported all this but little before Esau himHe self arrived. It was too late for Jacob to turn aside. must meet Esau, and that on the verv next dav. the \n