21 So Jacob's gifts went on ahead of him, but he himself spent the night in the camp.
21 So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company.
21 So the present passed on ahead of him, and he himself stayed that night in the camp.
21 So his gifts went before him while he settled down for the night in the camp.
21 So the present went on over before him, but he himself lodged that night in the camp.
21 So the gifts were sent on ahead, while Jacob himself spent that night in the camp.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 32:21
Commentary on Genesis 32:9-23
(Read Genesis 32:9-23)
Times of fear should be times of prayer: whatever causes fear, should drive us to our knees, to our God. Jacob had lately seen his guards of angels, but in this distress he applied to God, not to them; he knew they were his fellow-servants, Revelation 22:9. There cannot be a better pattern for true prayer than this. Here is a thankful acknowledgement of former undeserved favours; a humble confession of unworthiness; a plain statement of his fears and distress; a full reference of the whole affair to the Lord, and resting all his hopes on him. The best we can say to God in prayer, is what he has said to us. Thus he made the name of the Lord his strong tower, and could not but be safe. Jacob's fear did not make him sink into despair, nor did his prayer make him presume upon God's mercy, without the use of means. God answers prayers by teaching us to order our affairs aright. To pacify Esau, Jacob sent him a present. We must not despair of reconciling ourselves to those most angry against us.