Yaakov approaches his impending meeting with Esav with trepidation. Parshat Vayishlah relates: “Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed.” The distress signals expressed by Yaakov are clearly visible to us and they reflect the great concerns and frightening scenarios that are running through his mind.
The multiple preparations that Yaakov makes for the meeting are a model of strategic planning that includes a set of possible options. Yaakov appears to be anticipating a difficult confrontation – perhaps even a military clash – with Esav.