Israel cared for all of his family, however his selection of how he aligned them in preparation to meet Esau showed his preferences toward them. Remember, Israel was afraid of Esau, “Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.”

Israel planned for the worse and expected the worst-case scenario. He expected Esau to attack him and exact revenge on him, possibly even kill some of his family. Esau did not attack Israel, instead Esau embraced Israel, wept with him and offered him protection.