33:1-2 As Jacob nears home, he sees Esau coming toward him along with an army of men. Going forward with his plan to ensure his family's safety, Jacob divides his camp into two.
33:3 Jacob leads his family, going before them in order to meet Esau first. He puts himself before his family. In an attempt at a cautious greeting, Jacob bows himself to the ground, humbling himself to his twin brother.
33:4 Unexpectedly, Esau runs to Jacob and embraces him. Each of them cry at the heartfelt greeting, having been separated for many years.
33:5 Esau then observes all of the people travelling with Jacob and inquires as to who they are. Jacob explains that the people are his family, given to him generously by God.
Jacob is still speaking to his brother in humble tone. The deference he shows Esau is genuine because Jacob truly does want to find favor in Esau's eyes. Perhaps it bothered Jacob that they had been enemies for so long and perhaps Jacob was still concerned for his family's safety. Either way, he wanted to dissipate any tension in the relationship.
33:6-7 Following Jacob's lead, his wives and children bow to Esau in deference. Although Jacob and his family are at home in faith, perfectly secured in God's love, they are currently nomads on Earth. They are travelling to Jacob's former home seeking refuge. In order to be able to stay, it was imperative that they get along with Esau.
33:6-8 Esau asks Jacob why he was sent messengers with gifts. Jacob explains that he sent them in order to heal the relationship between himself and Esau.
33:9 Esau explains that the gifts are unnecessary. He does not require or even need them. Esau has done well, he is not destitute and he's no longer angry with Jacob. Esau tells Jacob to keep everything.
33:10-11 Jacob insists. Jacob asks Esau to accept the gift if they are on good terms. Jacob explains that through his faith he has done well; he's very fortunate, he has more than enough to gift to his brother.
33:12 Esau accepts and then offers to lead the way home.
33:13-14 Jacob, still nervous to accept his brother's generosity suggests that Esau continue and he will follow slowly behind with his family. Jacob's excuse is that he needs to travel carefully because of his young animals and children weakened from the long journey.
33:15 Esau offers to leave some of his men behind to help Jacob and his family but Jacob explains that it will not be necessary. Jacob is being careful with his family: he wants to make sure that only people he knows and trusts are around those who he loves so much.
Moreover, Jacob never passes on or shares the responsibility of caring for his family. Through Jacob would come so many generations of people on the earth and it is symbolic that he would allow only his faith to protect and lead them. Jacob was travelling with and through God, a God Esau did not ascribe to. It was imperative that Jacob remain with God as his leader, completely independent from men.
33:16 So Esau continued on without Jacob accepting his choice of independence.
33:17 As he came closer, Jacob constructed a farm for his animals. He began to settle in this region where he grew up.
33:18-20 Jacob builds an altar from which to worship God: El Elohe Israel, the mighty God of Israel. Jacob is always consistent in keeping God a part of his life. He remembers God in times of struggle and joy. In the journey and in accomplishment.
