What Are We Missing?

Esau took his wives, his children, and his entire household, along with his livestock and cattle—all the wealth he had acquired in the land of Canaan—and moved away from his brother, Jacob. There was not enough land to support them both because of all the livestock and possessions they had acquired. So Esau (also known as Edom) settled in the hill country of Seir. [Genesis 36.6-8]

It occurred to me today that there seemed to be an agreement between Jacob and Esau here. What are we missing?

In yesterday's reading, it seemed Jacob once again deceived Esau by not going to Seir with him. Jacob didn't want to "push the family and animals too hard" and begged to come at a different pace. However, the story reveals that Jacob did not go to Seir but instead went to Succoth.

But Jacob replied, “You can see, my lord, that some of the children are very young, and the flocks and herds have their young, too. If they are driven too hard, even for one day, all the animals could die. Please, my lord, go ahead of your servant. We will follow slowly, at a pace that is comfortable for the livestock and the children. I will meet you at Seir.” “All right,” Esau said, “but at least let me assign some of my men to guide and protect you.” Jacob responded, “That’s not necessary. It’s enough that you’ve received me warmly, my lord!” So Esau turned around and started back to Seir that same day. Jacob, on the other hand, traveled on to Succoth. There he built himself a house and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place was named Succoth (which means “shelters”). [Genesis 33.13-17]

Now, it is entirely possible that my understanding of what went on here is ignorant, but it seems the words, "on the other hand" indicate that Jacob did not do what he originally said. However, in light of the opening scripture above, again, I come back to what might have been an "agreement" to go separate ways.

Regardless how it transpired, we have no real record of animosity between the two brothers themselves from this point forward. In fact, scripture later reveals they apparently were together in burying their father.

Father, I believe Your Word reveals all that is necessary to understand this story, but I have yet to see it. Help me to understand what is not clearly obvious here from Jacob and Esau's story.