Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

safety. He therefore sent messengers to Esau with a greeting that he
hoped his brother would receive with favor. The servants were sent
to "my lord Esau." They were to refer to their master as "your
servant Jacob." And to remove the fear that he was returning to
claim the inheritance, Jacob was careful to state in his message, "I
have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants."
But Esau sent no response to the friendly message. It appeared
certain that Esau was coming to seek revenge. Terror swept the
camp. "Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed." His company,
unarmed and defenseless, were completely unprepared for a hostile
encounter. From his vast flocks he sent generous presents to Esau,
with a friendly message. He did all in his power to atone for the
wrong to his brother and to avert the threatened danger. Then he
pleaded for divine protection: "I am not worthy of the least of all the
mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant. ...
Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of
Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with
the children."
Jacob decided to spend the night in prayer, alone with God.
God could soften the heart of Esau. In Him was Jacob's only hope.
An Angel Wrestles With Jacob
It was a lonely, mountainous region, the haunt of wild beasts,
robbers, and murderers. Unprotected, Jacob bowed in deep distress
upon the earth. It was midnight. All who made life dear to him were
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