EN 33:14{The story of Jacob's thoughtfulness for the cattle and the children is a beautiful little picture. He would not let them be overdriven even for one day. "My Lord," said he (Gen. 33:1313And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die. (Genesis 33:13)), "knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die." He would not lead on according to what Esau could do and expected them to do, but only according to what they were able to endure. "Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee" (Gen. 33:1212And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee. (Genesis 33:12)). He had had so much to do with them that he knew exactly how far they could go in a day; and he made that his only consideration in arranging the marches. Perhaps his own halting thigh made him more considerate for "the foot of the cattle" and "the foot of the children" (see margin). Besides, he had gone the same wilderness journey before (Gen. 29:11Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east. (Genesis 29:1)) when they were not yet in existence, and knew all about its roughness and heat and length by personal experience. And so he said, "I will lead on softly." Is it not restful to know that you are not answerable to any Esaus for how much you get through, or how far you are led on in the day! "They" don't know, or, knowing, don't remember the weakness or drawbacks. Maybe they wonder you do not get on farther and faster, doing the work better, bearing up against the suffering or the sorrow more bravely. And maybe you feel wounded without a word being said, simply because you know they don't know. Then turn to the Good Shepherd in whose "feeble flock" you are, and remember that He remembers. Talk to Him about it for "all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do" (Heb. 4:1313Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:13)).
Our Father, Thou caveat; Thou knowest indeed
Our inmost desires, our manifold need;
The fount of Thy mercies shall never be dry,
For Thy riches in glory shall mete the supply;
Our bread shall be given, our water be sure,
And nothing shall fall, for Thy word shall endure,
And Thine is the power.