I don't trust Jacob in this passage - and I'm not sure what to make of his actions at all.
I admit that he was afraid - but he refers to himself as Esau's servant and calls him "my lord" - which is strange after Genesis makes such a big deal out of how Esau will be Jacob's servant, as revealed in Isaac's blessing. And rather than follow his brother to Seir, he settles in Succoth - why bother lying to Esau on this issue? Why not just tell him he was planning on settling nearby in Succoth?
Watching Jacob in action is a bit like watching a chess match. I can't figure out what he's up to or why. Sometimes his motives make sense (like the fear he has returning to his brother or even his scheming for blessings/birthrights/flocks). But in passages like this one I can't figure out if he's acting out of fear, or plotting something new, truly conciliatory towards his brother...or what?
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