When the Past Returns: Strategies for Difficult Encounters
What do you do when your past comes charging toward you? That’s not a metaphor — that was Jacob’s reality. Twenty years after deceiving his brother Esau, Jacob is on his way back home. But word reaches him that Esau is coming to meet him… with an army-sized entourage. No olive branch. No peace terms. Just the sound of marching feet and the shadow of old wounds. What Jacob does next isn’t random panic — it’s a masterclass in strategic thinking under extreme pressure . His moves blend intelligence gathering, calculated risk, diplomacy, and deep spiritual alignment. Let’s unpack the strategies from Genesis 32 that are as relevant today as they were on the dusty roads of Canaan. 1️⃣ Gather Intelligence First “The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, ‘We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.’” — Genesis 32:6 Jacob doesn’t wait for Esau to show up — he sends messengers ahead to find out his brother’s position, mood, and intention...