And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;
Ver. 13. And took of that which came to his hand, &c.] Or, that was in his power. Such as he had, he sent. Silver and gold he had none; cattle he had, and of these he made no spare: for he knew that "a gift" (such a rich gift, especially) "maketh room for a man, and bringeth him before great ones". Pro 18:16 And here Jacob, for our instruction, takes a right course, observes a right method; which is, to pray, and use means; to use means, and pray. Ora et labora, was the Emperor's symbol; and, Admota manu invocanda est Minerva, the heathen's proverb. "Why criest thou unto me?" saith God to Moses; Exo 14:15 "speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward." There was a fault: Moses craved help, but was not forward in the course whereby to make way for God's help. So, "get thee up," saith God to praying Joshua; "wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?" Israel hath sinned, and thou must go search, &c. Jos 7:10-11 So, he that would have knowledge, must not only beg for it, but "dig for it," saith Solomon, out of his own experience. Pro 2:3-5