Génesis 32:5 Midrash: Midrash Tanchuma, Aggadat Bereshit & Bereshit Rabbah

I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now. and I have oxen, and asses and flocks, and manservants and maid-servants (Gen. 32:5–6). He was telling Esau: “Though I have lived with Laban, the arch-deceiver, for twenty years, I have acquired oxen, asses, and great riches.” He disclosed this fact to Esau in the hope that when he reflected upon it, he would say to himself: “Jacob went there with nothing more than a staff, and though he worked for Laban, the arch-deceiver, for twenty years, he has become a wealthy man and has returned in peace; how can I possibly contend against him?”

He commanded them, saying; “Thus shall you say unto my lord Esau” (Gen. 32:5). R. Judah the son of Simon began the discussion with the verse: As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, so is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked (Prov. 25:26). That is to say, the righteous man is like a troubled fountain and a corrupted spring when he demeans himself before the wicked. Thus shall you say unto my lord Esau. Jacob called Esau my lord, for the Torah teaches that one must be respectful toward the government (those in power). R. Ishmael said: Observe that Scripture says: And the Lord spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel and unto Pharaoh, king of Egypt (Exod. 6:13).⁴God refers to Pharaoh as king to demonstrate the duty to honor the one in power. He did so to teach them to be respectful toward the government (those in power).

[4] Another interpretation: "And Jacob dwelled." In scriptures it is said: "For we are strangers before You, and sojourners, as were all our fathers" (1 Chronicles 29:15). This is the way of the righteous, who are the essence of the world and make themselves secondary. This is how Avraham was, who made himself secondary, as it says "I am a stranger and a sojourner among you" (Genesis 23:4). This is how Yaakov spoke to Esau, "I have sojourned with Laban" (Genesis 32:5). Similarly, Israel is written "strangers and sojourners" (Leviticus 25:23), therefore David says "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry" (Psalm 39:13), why? Because I am a stranger with You, a sojourner, as were all my fathers. - [edit. this refers to world-to-come "as we are strangers in this world" (Leviticus 25:23)(Duties of the Heart, Fourth Treatise on Trust 4:61)]