Vayishlach: the land  and its people

The parsha describes an invasion.  The Ivrim ( Hebrews) , who had originally come from Mesapotamia  appeared to have settled in Haran.  Those people, now led by Lavan, seemed to be ensconced in the area.  The degree to which they mixed and married with the surrounding neighbors  is not defined.  We can surmise that they maintained some important traditions because the wives of Isaac and Jacob  come from the Haranian cousins.  But it is clearly not the best place, it is not the promised land.  Jacob cannot stay and settle there. 

Returning to Canaan means confronting Esau. The conflict between Jacob and Esau has not been resolved.  Isaac had conferred, and confirmed, the blessing of the firstborn on Jacob, but Esau had said he would kill Jacob , presumably to wrest the promised land, and everything that went with it, from his devious brother.  

While he is still on the other side of the river, before he has personally crossed the border into Canaan, Jacob fights with a force that tries to block his entry into the contested territory. He wins the battle, earning a new name, Israel.  The root of the name is sar, as in Sarah, meaning ruler or prince.  Perhaps the name also confers the legacy of Sarah upon its bearer(s), identifying them as her  conceptual descendants. He is also rendered lame, less able to fight.  And there will  a battle tomorrow with Esau. 

Esau comes with  400 men, presumably an overwhelming army.  Canaan is a foreign and for Esau, as well. He has married local Hittite and Hevite  women, he has moved toward assimilation.  He has also married a granddaughter of Ishmael, from the interloper tribe.  Is this an army of mercenaries? That could change the meaning of  Jacob's generous gift.  The gift seems to buy off the attack.  Meanwhile, Jacob's limp removes the glory of victory

Why does Esau slink back to Seir, abandoning Canaan?  Maybe Seir was more appealing at the time.   Was he recognizing Jacob's superior claim to the Promised Land? Neither Esau nor Jacob had established a secular claim, yet. Maybe Esau preferred that Jacob deal with the problem of the gift of  a settled land. 

The issue arises with the royal rape of Dinah.  Her angry brothers, Levi and Simon, annihilate the people of Shechem to vindicate her honor, preventing the assimilation that was offered by their ruler. (Note the subtle difference in mayor Chamor's promise to the Israelites and the Shechemites.  To the Israelites he offers land, to the Shechemites he mentions only commerce).

What parts of our identity should we keep? How should we keep it? Perhaps the question is lame.