mh_parser/vol_split/1 - Genesis/Chapter 33.xml

<div2 id="Gen.xxxiv" n="xxxiv" next="Gen.xxxv" prev="Gen.xxxiii" progress="23.01%" title="Chapter XXXIII">
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<h2 id="Gen.xxxiv-p0.1">G E N E S I S</h2>
<h3 id="Gen.xxxiv-p0.2">CHAP. XXXIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Gen.xxxiv-p1">We read, in the former chapter, how Jacob had
power with God, and prevailed; here we find what power he had with
men too, and how his brother Esau was mollified, and, on a sudden,
reconciled to him; for so it is written, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.16.7" parsed="|Prov|16|7|0|0" passage="Pr 16:7">Prov. xvi. 7</scripRef>, "When a man's ways please the
Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." Here is,
I. A very friendly meeting between Jacob and Esau, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.1-Gen.33.4" parsed="|Gen|33|1|33|4" passage="Ge 33:1-4">ver. 1-4</scripRef>. II. Their conference at
their meeting, in which they vie with each other in civil and kind
expressions. Their discourse is, 1. About Jacob's family, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.5-Gen.33.7" parsed="|Gen|33|5|33|7" passage="Ge 33:5-7">ver. 5-7</scripRef>. 2. About the present he
had sent, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.8-Gen.33.11" parsed="|Gen|33|8|33|11" passage="Ge 33:8-11">ver. 8-11</scripRef>. 3.
About the progress of their journey, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.12-Gen.33.15" parsed="|Gen|33|12|33|15" passage="Ge 33:12-15">ver. 12-15</scripRef>. III. Jacob's settlement in
Canaan, his house, ground, and altar, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.16-Gen.33.20" parsed="|Gen|33|16|33|20" passage="Ge 33:16-20">ver. 16-20</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Gen.xxxiv-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33" parsed="|Gen|33|0|0|0" passage="Ge 33" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Gen.xxxiv-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.1-Gen.33.4" parsed="|Gen|33|1|33|4" passage="Ge 33:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.33.1-Gen.33.4">
<h4 id="Gen.xxxiv-p1.9">Jacob's Interview with Esau. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xxxiv-p1.10">b. c.</span> 1739.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xxxiv-p2">1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and,
behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided
the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two
handmaids.   2 And he put the handmaids and their children
foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph
hindermost.   3 And he passed over before them, and bowed
himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his
brother.   4 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and
fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxxiv-p3">Here, I. Jacob discovered Esau's approach,
<scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.1" parsed="|Gen|33|1|0|0" passage="Ge 33:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. Some think that
his lifting up his eyes denotes his cheerfulness and confidence, in
opposition to a dejected countenance; having by prayer committed
his case to God, he went on his way, <i>and his countenance was no
more sad,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.1.18" parsed="|1Sam|1|18|0|0" passage="1Sa 1:18">1 Sam. i. 18</scripRef>.
Note, Those that have cast their care upon God may look before them
with satisfaction and composure of mind, cheerfully expecting the
issue, whatever it may be; come what will, nothing can come amiss
to him whose heart is fixed, trusting in God. Jacob sets himself
upon his watch-tower to see what answer God will give to his
prayers, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Hab.2.1" parsed="|Hab|2|1|0|0" passage="Hab 2:1">Hab. ii. 1</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxxiv-p4">II. He put his family into the best order
he could to receive him, whether he should come as a friend or as
an enemy, consulting their decency if he came as a friend and their
safety if he came as an enemy, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.1-Gen.33.2" parsed="|Gen|33|1|33|2" passage="Ge 33:1,2"><i>v.</i> 1, 2</scripRef>. Observe what a different
figure these two brothers made. Esau is attended with a guard of
400 men, and looks big; Jacob is followed by a cumbersome train of
women and children that are his care, and he looks tender and
solicitous for their safety; and yet Jacob had the birthright, and
was to have the dominion, and was every way the better man. Note,
It is no disparagement to very great and good men to give a
personal attendance to their families, and to their family affairs.
Jacob, at the head of his household, set a better example than Esau
at the head of his regiment.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxxiv-p5">III. At their meeting, the expressions of
kindness were interchanged in the best manner that could be between
them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxxiv-p6">1. Jacob bowed to Esau, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.3" parsed="|Gen|33|3|0|0" passage="Ge 33:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. Though he feared Esau as an
enemy, yet he did obeisance to him as an elder brother, knowing and
remembering perhaps that when Abel was preferred in God's
acceptance before his elder brother Cain, yet God undertook for him
to Cain that he should not be wanting in the duty and respect owing
by a younger brother. <i>Unto thee shall be his desire, and thou
shalt rule over him,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.4.7" parsed="|Gen|4|7|0|0" passage="Ge 4:7"><i>ch.</i> iv.
7</scripRef>. Note, (1.) The way to recover peace where it has been
broken is to do our duty, and pay our respects, upon all occasions,
as if it had never been broken. It is the remembering and repeating
of matters that separates friends and perpetuates the separation.
(2.) A humble submissive carriage goes a great way towards the
turning away of wrath. Many preserve themselves by humbling
themselves: the bullet flies over him that stoops.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxxiv-p7">2. Esau embraced Jacob (<scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.4" parsed="|Gen|33|4|0|0" passage="Ge 33:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>): <i>He ran to meet him,</i> not
in passion, but in love; and, as one heartily reconciled to him, he
received him with all the endearments imaginable, <i>embraced him,
fell on his neck, and kissed him.</i> Some think that when Esau
came out to meet Jacob it was with no bad design, but that he
brought his 400 men only for state, that he might pay so much the
greater respect to his returning brother. It is certain

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that Jacob understood the report of his messengers
otherwise, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.32.5-Gen.32.6" parsed="|Gen|32|5|32|6" passage="Ge 32:5,6"><i>ch.</i> xxxii. 5,
6</scripRef>. Jacob was a man of prudence and fortitude, and we
cannot suppose him to admit of a groundless fear to such a degree
as he did this, nor that the Spirit of God would stir him up to
pray such a prayer as he did for deliverance from a merely
imaginary danger: and, if there was not some wonderful change
wrought upon the spirit of Esau at this time, I see not how
wrestling Jacob could be said to obtain such power with men as to
denominate him a <i>prince.</i> Note, (1.) God had the hearts of
all men in his hands, and can turn them when and how he pleases, by
a secret, silent, but resistless power. He can, of a sudden,
convert enemies into friends, as he did two Sauls, one by
restraining grace (<scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.26.21 Bible:1Sam.26.25" parsed="|1Sam|26|21|0|0;|1Sam|26|25|0|0" passage="1Sa 26:21,25">1 Sam. xxvi.
21, 25</scripRef>), the other by renewing grace, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Acts.9.21-Acts.9.22" parsed="|Acts|9|21|9|22" passage="Ac 9:21,22">Acts ix. 21, 22</scripRef>. (2.) It is not in vain to
trust in God, and to call upon him in the day of trouble; those
that do so often find the issue much better than they expected.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxxiv-p8">3. They both wept. Jacob wept for joy, to
be thus kindly received by his brother whom he had feared; and Esau
perhaps wept for grief and shame, to think of the bad design he had
conceived against his brother, which he found himself strangely and
unaccountably prevented from executing.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xxxiv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.5-Gen.33.15" parsed="|Gen|33|5|33|15" passage="Ge 33:5-15" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.33.5-Gen.33.15">
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xxxiv-p9">5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women
and the children; and said, Who <i>are</i> those with thee? And he
said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.
  6 Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children,
and they bowed themselves.   7 And Leah also with her children
came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and
Rachel, and they bowed themselves.   8 And he said, What
<i>meanest</i> thou by all this drove which I met? And he said,
<i>These are</i> to find grace in the sight of my lord.   9
And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto
thyself.   10 And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have
found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for
therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of
God, and thou wast pleased with me.   11 Take, I pray thee, my
blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously
with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took
<i>it.</i>   12 And he said, Let us take our journey, and let
us go, and I will go before thee.   13 And he said unto him,
My lord knoweth that the children <i>are</i> tender, and the flocks
and herds with young <i>are</i> with me: and if men should
overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.   14 Let my
lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on
softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the
children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.
  15 And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee <i>some</i> of
the folk that <i>are</i> with me. And he said, What needeth it? let
me find grace in the sight of my lord.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxxiv-p10">We have here the discourse between the two
brothers at their meeting, which is very free and friendly, without
the least intimation of the old quarrel. It was the best way to say
nothing of it. They converse,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxxiv-p11">I. About Jacob's retinue, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.5-Gen.33.7" parsed="|Gen|33|5|33|7" passage="Ge 33:5-7"><i>v.</i> 5-7</scripRef>. Eleven or twelve
little ones, the eldest of them not fourteen years old, followed
Jacob closely: <i>Who are these?</i> says Esau. Jacob had sent him
an account of the increase of his estate (<scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.32.5" parsed="|Gen|32|5|0|0" passage="Ge 32:5"><i>ch.</i> xxxii. 5</scripRef>), but made no mention of
his children; perhaps because he would not expose them to his rage
if he should meet him as an enemy, or would please him with the
unexpected sight if he should meet him as a friend: Esau therefore
had reason to ask, <i>Who are those with thee?</i> to which common
question Jacob returns a serious answer, such as became his
character: They are <i>the children which God hath graciously given
thy servant.</i> It had been a sufficient answer to the question,
and fit enough to be given to profane Esau, if he had only said,
"They are my children;" but then Jacob would not have spoken like
himself, like a man whose eyes were ever towards the Lord. Note, It
becomes us not only to do common actions, but to speak of them,
<i>after a godly sort,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:3John.1.6" parsed="|3John|1|6|0|0" passage="3Jo 1:6">3 John
6</scripRef>. Jacob speaks of his children, 1. As God's gifts; they
are a <i>heritage of the Lord,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.128.2 Bible:Ps.112.9 Bible:Ps.107.41" parsed="|Ps|128|2|0|0;|Ps|112|9|0|0;|Ps|107|41|0|0" passage="Ps 128:2,Ps 112:9,Ps 107:41">Ps. cxxviii. 3; cxii. 9; cvii.
41</scripRef>. 2. As choice gifts; he hath graciously given them.
Though they were many, and now much his care, and as yet but
slenderly provided for, yet he accounts them great blessings. His
wives and children, hereupon, come up in order, and pay their duty
to Esau, as he had done before them (<scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.6-Gen.33.7" parsed="|Gen|33|6|33|7" passage="Ge 33:6,7"><i>v.</i> 6, 7</scripRef>); for it becomes the family
to show respect to those to whom the master of the family shows
respect.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxxiv-p12">II. About the present he had sent him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxxiv-p13">1. Esau modestly refused it because he had
enough, and did not need it, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.9" parsed="|Gen|33|9|0|0" passage="Ge 33:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>. Note, Those who wish to be considered men of honour
will not <i>seem</i> to be mercenary in their friendship: whatever
influence Jacob's present had upon Esau to pacify him, he would not
have it thought that it had any, and therefore he refused it. His
reason is <i>I have

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enough,</i> I have
<i>much</i> (so the word is), so much that he was not willing to
take any thing that was his brother's. Note, (1.) Many that come
short of spiritual blessings, and are out of covenant, yet have
much of this world's wealth. Esau had what was promised him, the
fatness of the earth and a livelihood by his sword. (2.) It is a
good thing for those that have much to know that they have enough,
though they have not so much as some others have. Even Esau can
say, <i>I have enough.</i> (3.) Those that are content with what
they have must show it by not coveting what others have. Esau bids
Jacob keep what he had to himself, supposing he had more need of
it. Esau, for his part, needs it not, either to supply him, for he
was rich, or to pacify him, for he was reconciled: we should take
heed lest at any time our covetousness impose upon the courtesy of
others, and meanly take advantage of their generosity.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxxiv-p14">2. Jacob affectionately urges him to accept
it, and prevails, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.10-Gen.33.11" parsed="|Gen|33|10|33|11" passage="Ge 33:10,11"><i>v.</i> 10,
11</scripRef>. Jacob sent it, through fear (<scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.32.20" parsed="|Gen|32|20|0|0" passage="Ge 32:20"><i>ch.</i> xxxii. 20</scripRef>), but, the fear being
over, he now importunes his acceptance of it for love, to show that
he desired his brother's friendship, and did not merely dread his
wrath; two things he urges:—(1.) The satisfaction he had in his
brother's favour, of which he thought himself bound to make this
thankful acknowledgment. It is a very high compliment that he
passes upon him: <i>I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the
face of God,</i> that is, "I have seen thee reconciled to me, and
at peace with me, as I desire to see God reconciled." Or the
meaning is that Jacob saw God's favour to him in Esau's: it was a
token for good to him that God had accepted his prayers. Note,
Creature-comforts are comforts indeed to us when they are granted
as answers to prayer, and are tokens of our acceptance with God.
Again, It is matter of great joy to those that are of a peaceable
and affectionate disposition to recover the friendship of those
relations with whom they have been at variance. (2.) The competency
he had of this world's goods: <i>God has dealt graciously with
me.</i> Note, If what we have in this world increase under our
hands, we must take notice of it with thankfulness, to the glory of
God, and own that therein he has dealt graciously with us, better
than we deserve. It is he that gives <i>power to get wealth,</i>
<scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.8.18" parsed="|Deut|8|18|0|0" passage="De 8:18">Deut. viii. 18</scripRef>. He adds,
"And <i>I have enough;</i> I have <i>all,</i>" so the word is.
Esau's enough was much, but Jacob's enough was all. Note, a godly
man, though he have but little in the world, yet may truly say, "I
have all," [1.] Because he has the God of all, and has all in him;
all is yours if you be Christ's, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.3.22" parsed="|1Cor|3|22|0|0" passage="1Co 3:22">1
Cor. iii. 22</scripRef>. [2.] Because he has the comfort of all.
<i>I have all, and abound,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p14.5" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.18" parsed="|Phil|4|18|0|0" passage="Php 4:18">Phil.
iv. 18</scripRef>. He that has much would have more; but he that
thinks he has all is sure he has enough. He has all in prospect; he
will have all shortly, when he comes to heaven: upon this principle
Jacob urged Esau, and he took his present. Note, It is an excellent
thing when men's religion makes them generous, free-hearted, and
open-handed, scorning to do a thing that is paltry and
sneaking.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxxiv-p15">III. About the progress of their journey.
1. Esau offers himself to be his guide and companion, in token of
sincere reconciliation, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.12" parsed="|Gen|33|12|0|0" passage="Ge 33:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>. We never find that Jacob and Esau were so sociable
with one another, and so affectionate, as they were now. Note, As
for God his work is perfect. He made Esau, not only not an enemy,
but a friend. This bone that had been broken, being well set,
became stronger than ever. Esau has become fond of Jacob's company,
courts him to Mount Seir: let us never despair of any, nor distrust
God in whose hand all hearts are. Yet Jacob saw cause modestly to
refuse this offer (<scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.13-Gen.33.14" parsed="|Gen|33|13|33|14" passage="Ge 33:13,14"><i>v.</i> 13,
14</scripRef>), wherein he shows a tender concern for his own
family and flocks, like a good shepherd and a good father. He must
consider the children, and the flocks with young, and not lead the
one, nor drive the other, too fast. This prudence and tenderness of
Jacob ought to be imitated by those that have the care and charge
of young people in the things of God. They must not be over-driven,
at first, by heavy tasks in religious services, but led, as they
can bear, having their work made as easy to them as possible.
Christ, the good Shepherd, does so, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.40.11" parsed="|Isa|40|11|0|0" passage="Isa 40:11">Isa. xl. 11</scripRef>. Now Jacob will not desire Esau
to slacken his pace, nor force his family to quicken theirs, nor
leave them, to keep company with his brother, as many would have
done, that love any society better than their own house; but he
desires Esau to march before, and promises to follow him leisurely,
as he could get forward. Note, It is an unreasonable thing to tie
others to our rate; we may come with comfort, at last, to the same
journey's end, though we do not journey together, either in the
same path or with the same pace. There may be those with whom we
cannot fall in and yet with whom we need not fall out by the way.
Jacob intimates to him that it was his present design to come to
him to Mount Seir; and we may presume he did so, after he had
settled his family and concerns elsewhere, though that visit is not
recorded. Note, When we have happily recovered peace with our
friends we must take care to cultivate it, and not to be
behind-hand with them in civilities. 2. Esau offers some of his men
to be his guard and convoy, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.15" parsed="|Gen|33|15|0|0" passage="Ge 33:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>. He saw Jacob but poorly attended, no servants but
his husbandmen and shepherds, no pages or footmen; and therefore,
thinking he was as desirous as himself (if he could afford it) to
take state upon him, and look great, he would needs lend him some
of his retinue, to attend upon him, that he might appear like
Esau's brother; but Jacob humbly refuses his offer, only desiring
he would not take it amiss that he did not accept it: <i>What

<pb id="Gen.xxxiv-Page_200" n="200"/>

needeth it?</i> (1.) Jacob is humble, and needs
it not for state; he desires not to make a fair show in the flesh,
by encumbering himself with a needless retinue. Note, It is the
vanity of pomp and grandeur that they are attended with a great
deal of which it may be said, <i>What needeth it?</i> (2.) Jacob is
under the divine protection, and needs it not for safety. Note,
Those are sufficiently guarded that have God for their guard and
are under a convoy of his hosts, as Jacob was. Those need not be
beholden to an arm of flesh that have God for their arm every
morning. Jacob adds, "Only <i>let me find grace in the sight of my
lord;</i> having thy favour, I have all I need, all I desire from
thee." If Jacob thus valued the good-will of a brother, much more
reason have we to reckon that we have enough if we have the
good-will of our God.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xxxiv-p15.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.16-Gen.33.20" parsed="|Gen|33|16|33|20" passage="Ge 33:16-20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.33.16-Gen.33.20">
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xxxiv-p16">16 So Esau returned that day on his way unto
Seir.   17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him a
house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the
place is called Succoth.   18 And Jacob came to Shalem, a city
of Shechem, which <i>is</i> in the land of Canaan, when he came
from Padan-aram; and pitched his tent before the city.   19
And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at
the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred
pieces of money.   20 And he erected there an altar, and
called it El-elohe-Israel.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxxiv-p17">Here, 1. Jacob comes to Succoth. Having in
a friendly manner parted with Esau, who had gone to his own country
(<scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.16" parsed="|Gen|33|16|0|0" passage="Ge 33:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>), he comes to
a place where, it should seem, he rested for some time, set up
booths for his cattle, and other conveniences for himself and
family. The place was afterwards known by the name of Succoth, a
city in the tribe of Gad, on the other side Jordan (it signifies
<i>booths</i>), that when his posterity afterwards dwelt in houses
of stone, they might remember that <i>the Syrian ready to
perish</i> was their father, who was glad of booths (<scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.26.5" parsed="|Deut|26|5|0|0" passage="De 26:5">Deut. xxvi. 5</scripRef>); such was the rock
whence they were hewn. 2. He comes to Shechem; we read it, to
<i>Shalem, a city of Shechem;</i> the critics generally incline to
read it appellatively: <i>he came safely, or in peace, to the city
of Shechem.</i> After a perilous journey, in which he had met with
many difficulties, he came safely, at last, into Canaan. Note,
Diseases and dangers should teach us how to value health and
safety, and should help to enlarge our hearts in thankfulness, when
our going out and coming in have been signally preserved. Here,
(1.) He buys a field, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.19" parsed="|Gen|33|19|0|0" passage="Ge 33:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>. Though the land of Canaan was his by promise, yet,
the time for taking possession not having yet come, he is content
to pay for his own, to prevent disputes with the present occupants.
Note, Dominion is not founded in grace. Those that have heaven on
free-cost must not expect to have earth so. (2.) He builds an
altar, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxiv-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.33.20" parsed="|Gen|33|20|0|0" passage="Ge 33:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. [1.]
In thankfulness to God, for the good hand of his providence over
him. He did not content himself with verbal acknowledgments of
God's favour to him, but made real ones. [2.] That he might keep up
religion, and the worship of God, in his family. Note, Where we
have a tent God must have an altar, where we have a house he must
have a church in it. He dedicated this altar to the honour of
<i>El-elohe-Israel—God, the God of Israel,</i> to the honour of
God, in general, the only living and true God, the best of beings
and first of causes; and to the honour of the God of Israel, as a
God in covenant with him. Note, In our worship of God we must be
guided and governed by the joint-discoveries both of natural and
revealed religion. God had lately called him by the name of
<i>Israel,</i> and now he calls God <i>the God of Israel;</i>
though he is styled <i>a prince with God,</i> God shall still be a
prince with him, his Lord and his God. Note, Our honours then
become honours indeed to us when they are consecrated to God's
honour; Israel's God is Israel's glory.</p>
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