Genesis 31:41-42: Thus have I been twenty years in thy house [uncle Laban]; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.
31:42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.

It is evident from Jacob’s words that G-d not only kept His promise of blessing, but also watched out for Jacob by sending an angel when Laban tried to cheat him. This angel was indeed an angel of G-d, whose mission was to HELP the chosen of G-d, Jacob. 

Likewise, when Laban followed Jacob in hot pursuit, (see Gen. 31:29, 43), G-d protected Jacob.

From the very onset of Jacob's flight from Esau G-d dispatched His angels to accompany and protect Jacob. For in Jacob's dream of the ladder at Beth-el G-d's angels are ASCENDING and descending; i.e. they were with Jacob where he laid, went up the ladder to G-d and were sent back down to Jacob.

Why, then, would G-d suddenly change His mind and attack Jacob in the blackness of night? How can one teach – and believe! - that G-d promises blessings one day, while the next day He tries to kill us? If G-d would prove that untrustworthy, how could one ever hope in any of His promises? How can one speak so falsely of the G-d whose steadfast love endures forever, whose faithfulness extends unto the heavens, and Whose promises are sure? 

G-d’s disposition toward Jacob was made absolutely clear: benevolent, supporting, comforting, blessing, steadfast in faithfulness and love. G-d’s choice of Jacob as heir of the promise and His blessing on His chosen were SURE. Jacob did not entertain any doubt in his heart concerning the certainty of G-d’s blessings. G-d doesn’t say one thing today and tomorrow another, like a man changing his mind whimsily. 

What Jacob was not sure of, was his brother Esau. It could be expected that  Esau would either try to kill Jacob, or by some other means, expropriate Jacob as heir. There was much  uncertainty regarding Esau and his disposition toward Jacob. What was sure, however, were G-d's blessing and promises.

Let us continue with the narrative.

Upon the entrance into the “promised” land Jacob was met again by angels (again, these angels were G-d-sent “messengers”) who are clearly identified as being angels of G-d. Jacob recognized them as being “G-d’s army!”, a “camp of G-d” sent to support him in his return.

Unfortunately, Jacob sent these divine messengers on a mission contrary to G-d’s affirmation of Jacob as heir. Jacob dispatched them with a self-abasing message, which said (32:4), “Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus...” Yes, Jacob was sure of G-d’s benevolence, but not of his brother Esau’s. He addressed him as “my lord,” abasing himself as “your servant.” However, G-d had already confirmed Jacob’s birthright, and from the womb declared that the elder brother would serve the younger. Why then did Jacob waver and contradict G-d’s words?

Hence the angelic messengers did nothing on Jacob’s behalf and merely told him upon return: "We came to your brother, to Esau. Moreover, he is heading toward you, and four hundred men are with him."

Gen. 32:7: Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed!!!

Jacob received no answer from him whom he called "my lord," to whom he lowered himself as "servant."^1Y He was brought only a message of distress. Had Esau responded to Jacob's debasing message, Jacob would have become like a worm in the dust before a most ignoble and hateful "lord."

G-d prevented that!

It was better that Jacob suffered momentary distress and FACED his enemy, than become subservient to a vile and ignoble creature who despises the Almighty, and whom G-d hated.

Many of us too have faced such acute distress... I am intimately acquainted with it. Yet G-d never removed it from us but brought us through it, perfecting  absolute trust in Him.

Jacob HAD to pass through it as well, for without it he could not have become Israel, the mighty Patriarch Israel, after whom his offspring is called. Jacob was facing his "valley of the shadow of death," where he would learn to fear no evil. G-d was indeed with him, even though He seemed absent momentarily. G-d would indeed guide him through with Rod and Staff. And despite Jacob’s apparemt weakness and fear, his greatness, power and self- discipline prevailed: Refusing to throw up his arms in helpless despair Jacob prepared to meet his enemy --- face to face.

Hence, Jacob did not presume upon G-d for his deliverance (although he certainly hoped and believed in it), but made calculated preparations to the utmost of his ability. Sitting back, doing nothing and merely waiting for a miracle is presumption while faith is doing our utmost (unless G-d says otherwise) all the while trusting and hoping in HIM.
 

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