Why Jacob Need Not Have Sent Messengers to Esau

"And Jacob sent, etc." (Genesis 32:4). This is what Scripture says: "One who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel that is not his own" (Proverbs 26:17). Who is this one? This is Jacob. When he went out from his father's house, what is written? "And Jacob vowed a vow" (Genesis 28:20). What did he say? "If God will be with me" (ibid.). Thus did the Holy One, blessed be He, answer him: "And behold, I am with you" (ibid. 28:15). Our Rabbis said: He answered him concerning everything except sustenance. Rabbi Oshaya said: He answered him even concerning sustenance, as it is said: "For I will not forsake you until I have done that which I have spoken to you" (Genesis 28:15). Why did he say twice "until" "that which"? It was, as it were, a hard matter. Rabbi Oshaya said: The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: Happy am I and happy are you when I do this thing for you. Again he demanded: "And I return in peace" (ibid. 28:21). He said to him: "And I will bring you back" (ibid. 28:15). Rabbi Hanina son of Rabbi Isaac said: Happy is one born of woman who has heard such a thing from his Creator. See, everything that he demanded from his Creator, He promised him. And yet, with all these promises, he sends and says: "Thus shall you say to my lord, to Esau" (Genesis 32:5). Therefore it is well said: "One who seizes a dog by the ears" — when? When Jacob sent to Esau.