Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/287

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Jacob and Bsau instead

of

the

absolute

trust

in

269

God, which

should

have

followed upon this prayer, and unshaken reliance upon God's

promise to be with him and bring him back to his kindred and his father's house, Jacob now resumed his cunning plans

for his

though still

this

own

defense.

It

would seem

prayer was, and true

in

every

that

beautiful

word,

it

of the lips rather than of the heart, and was born

was more Him.

Esau than of love of God and firm faith in would almost seem as if Jacob had thought, "If God can and will save me from this dire peril, well and good but if not, then all the more must I spare no effort to save

of fear of It



myself".

Then followed an anxious night. Redoubled preparations were made to meet Esau the next morning. A rich present was sent on in advance, with the hope that Esau's anger might possibly be appeased with this. Then Jacob's wives and children were set across the stream, that they might be the first to meet Esau in the morning, and that the sight of these weak and suppliant beings, his own flesh and blood, might help to still Esau's anger. Jacob himself remained on this side of the stream. He would cross only at the very last moment possibly he might still turn back and flee without sheep and cattle, wives and children to hinder him, he might still escape. True, it would mean setting out on his lonesome journey anew, just as twenty years before. Even worse, now he would have no place whither he might turn; and surely God would no longer be with him. But at least he would be safe from Esau's wrath. Such must have been the thoughts which thronged Jacob's guilt-laden mind throughout this long night. For the moment he was

completely the old, crafty,

He had

self-centered

expected that on this one

last

Jacob night

once more. at

least,

he

would be safe, and would find rest and comfort. But there were no rest and comfort for him. As the Bible says, all through that night there wrestled with him, someone or \n