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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Genesis, Chapter XXXII].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1></center>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<A NAME="Page191"> </A>
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>G E N E S I S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXXII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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We have here Jacob still upon his journey towards Canaan. Never
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did so many memorable things occur in any march as in this of
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Jacob's little family. By the way he meets,
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I. With good tidings
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from his God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>.
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II. With bad tidings from his brother,
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to whom he sent a message to notify his return,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:3-6">ver. 3-6</A>.
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In his distress,
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1. He divides his company,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:7,8">ver. 7, 8</A>.
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2. He makes his prayer to God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:9-12">ver. 9-12</A>.
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3. He sends a present to his brother,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:13-23">ver. 13-23</A>.
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4. He wrestles with the angel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:24-32">ver. 24-32</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ge32_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge32_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Jacob Pursuing His Journey.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1739.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And Jacob went on his way, and
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the angels of God met him.
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2 And when Jacob saw them, he said,
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This <I>is</I> God's host: and he called the
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name of that place Mahanaim.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Jacob, having got clear of Laban, pursues
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his journey homewards towards Canaan:
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when God has helped us through difficulties
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we should go on our way heaven-ward with
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so much the more cheerfulness and resolution.
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Now,
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1. Here is Jacob's convoy in
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his journey
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>):
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<I>The angels of God met
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him,</I> in a visible appearance, whether in a
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vision by day or in a dream by night, as
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when he saw them upon the ladder
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+28:12"><I>ch.</I> xxviii. 12</A>),
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is uncertain. Note, Those that
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keep in a good way have always a good
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guard; angels themselves are ministering
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spirits for their safety,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+1:14">Heb. i. 14</A>.
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Where
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Jacob pitched his tents, they pitched theirs
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about him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+34:7">Ps. xxxiv. 7</A>.
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They met him, to
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bid him welcome to Canaan again; a more
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honourable reception this was than ever any
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prince had, that was met by the magistrates
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of a city in their formalities. They met him
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to congratulate him on his arrival, as well as
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on his escape from Laban; for they have
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pleasure in the prosperity of God's servants.
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They had invisibly attended him all along,
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but now they appeared to him, because he
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had greater dangers before him than those he
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had hitherto encountered. Note, When
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God designs his people for extraordinary
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trials, he prepares them by extraordinary
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comforts. We should think it had been
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more seasonable for these angels to have appeared
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to him amidst the perplexity and agitation
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occasioned first by Laban, and afterwards
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by Esau, than in this calm and quiet
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interval, when he saw not himself in any
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imminent peril; but God will have us, when
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we are in peace, to provide for trouble, and,
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when trouble comes, to live upon former observations
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and experiences; for <I>we walk by
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faith, not by sight.</I> God's people, at death,
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are returning to Canaan, to their Father's
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house; and then the angels of God will meet
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them, to congratulate them on the happy
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finishing of their servitude, and to carry
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them to their rest.
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2. The comfortable notice
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he took of this convoy,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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<I>This is
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God's host,</I> and therefore,
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(1.) It is a powerful
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host; very great is he that is thus attended,
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and very safe that is thus guarded.
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(2.) God must have the praise of this protection:
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"This I may thank God for, for it
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is his host." A good man may with an eye
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of faith see the same that Jacob saw with his
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bodily eyes, by believing that promise
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+91:11">Ps. xci. 11</A>),
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<I>He shall give his angels charge over
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thee.</I> What need have we to dispute whether
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every particular saint has a guardian
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angel, when we are sure he has a guard of
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angels about him? To preserve the remembrance
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of this favour, Jacob gave a name to
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the place from it, <I>Mahanaim, two hosts,</I> or
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<I>two camps.</I> That is, say some of the rabbin,
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one host of the guardian angels of Mesopotamia,
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who conducted Jacob thence, and delivered
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him safely to the other host of the
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angels of Canaan, who met him upon the
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borders where he now was. Rather, they
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appeared to him in two hosts, one on either
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side, or one in the front and the other in the
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rear, to protect him from Laban behind and
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Esau before, that they might be a complete
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guard. Thus he is <I>compassed</I> with God's
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favour. Perhaps in allusion to this the
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church is called <I>Mahanaim, two armies,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+6:13">Cant. vi. 13</A>.
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Here were Jacob's family, which
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made one army, representing the church
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militant and itinerant on earth; and the
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angels, another army, representing the church
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triumphant and at rest in heaven.</P>
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<A NAME="Ge32_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge32_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge32_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge32_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge32_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge32_8"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>3 And Jacob sent messengers before
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him to Esau his brother unto the
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land of Seir, the country of Edom.
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4 And he commanded them, saying,
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Thus shall ye speak unto my lord
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Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus,
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I have sojourned with Laban, and
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stayed there until now:
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5 And I have
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oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants,
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and womenservants: and I have
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sent to tell my lord, that I may find
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grace in thy sight.
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6 And the messengers
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returned to Jacob, saying, We
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came to thy brother Esau, and also he
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cometh to meet thee, and four hundred
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men with him.
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7 Then Jacob
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was greatly afraid and distressed: and
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he divided the people that <I>was</I> with
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him, and the flocks, and herds, and
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the camels, into two bands;
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8 And
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said, If Esau come to the one company,
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and smite it, then the other
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company which is left shall escape.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Now that Jacob was re-entering Canaan
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God, by the vision of angels, reminded him
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of the friends he had when he left it, and
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thence he takes occasion to remind himself
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of the enemies he had, particularly Esau. It
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is probable that Rebekah had sent him word
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of Esau's settlement in Seir, and of the continuance
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of his enmity to him. What shall
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poor Jacob do? He longs to see his father,
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and yet he dreads to see his brother. He
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rejoices to see Canaan again, and yet cannot
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but rejoice with trembling because of Esau.</P>
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<P>
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I. He sends a very kind and humble
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<A NAME="Page192"> </A>
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message to Esau. It does not appear that
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his way lay through Esau's country, or that
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he needed to ask his leave for a passage;
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but his way lay near it, and he would not
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go by him without paying him the respect
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due to a brother, a twin-brother, an only
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brother, an elder brother, a brother offended.
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Note,
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1. Though our relations fail in their
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duty to us, yet we must make conscience of
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doing our duty to them.
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2. It is a piece of
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friendship and brotherly love to acquaint our
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friends with our condition, and enquire into
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theirs. Acts of civility may help to slay
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enmities. Jacob's message to him is very
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obliging,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:4,5"><I>v.</I> 4, 5</A>.
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(1.) He calls Esau his
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lord, himself his servant, to intimate that he
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did not insist upon the prerogatives of the
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birthright and blessing he had obtained for
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himself, but left it to God to fulfil his own
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purpose in his seed. Note, <I>Yielding pacifies
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great offences,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+10:4">Eccl. x. 4</A>.
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We must not refuse
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to speak in a respectful and submissive manner
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to those that are ever so unjustly exasperated
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against it.
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(2.) He gives him a short account
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of himself, that he was not a fugitive and a
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vagabond, but, though long absent, had had a
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certain dwelling-place, with his own relations:
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<I>I have sojourned with Laban, and staid there
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till now;</I> and that he was not a beggar, nor
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did he come home, as the prodigal son, destitute
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of necessaries and likely to be a charge
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to his relations; no, <I>I have oxen and asses.</I>
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This he knew would (if any thing) recommend
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him to Esau's good opinion. And,
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(3.) He courts his favour: <I>I have sent, that I
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might find grace in thy sight.</I> Note, It is no
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disparagement to those that have the better
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cause to become petitioners for reconciliation,
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and to sue for peace as well as right.</P>
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<P>
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II. He receives a very formidable account
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of Esau's warlike preparations against him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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not a word, but a blow, a very coarse
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return to his kind message, and a sorry welcome
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home to a poor brother: <I>He comes to
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meet thee, and four hundred men with him.</I>
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He is now weary of waiting for the days of
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mourning for this good father, and even before
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they come he resolves to slay his brother.
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1. He remembers the old quarrel, and will now
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be avenged on him for the birthright and
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blessing, and, if possible, defeat Jacob's
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expectations from both. Note, malice harboured
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will last long, and find an occasion to
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break out with violence a great while after
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the provocations given. Angry men have
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good memories.
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2. He envies Jacob what
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little estate he had, and, though he himself
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was now possessed of a much better, yet nothing
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will serve him but to feed his eyes upon
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Jacob's ruin, and fill his fields with Jacob's
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spoils. Perhaps the account Jacob sent him
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of his wealth did but provoke him the more.
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3. He concludes it easy to destroy him, now
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that he was upon the road, a poor weary
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traveller, unfixed, and (as he thinks) unguarded.
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Those that have the serpent's poison
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have commonly the serpent's policy, to
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take the first and fairest opportunity that offers
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itself for revenge.
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4. He resolves to do it suddenly,
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and before Jacob had come to his father,
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lest he should interpose and mediate between
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them. Esau was one of those that hated peace;
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when Jacob speaks, speaks peaceably, <I>he</I> is for
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war,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+120:6,7">Ps. cxx. 6, 7</A>.
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Out he marches, spurred on
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with rage, and intent on blood and murders;
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four hundred men he had with him, probably
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such as used to hunt with him, armed, no
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doubt, rough and cruel like their leader, ready
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to execute the word of command though ever
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so barbarous, and now breathing nothing but
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threatenings and slaughter. The tenth part
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of these were enough to cut off poor Jacob,
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and his guiltless helpless family, root and
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branch. No marvel therefore that it follows
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
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<I>then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed,</I>
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perhaps the more so from having
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scarcely recovered the fright Laban had put
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him in. Note, Many are the troubles of the
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righteous in this world, and sometimes the
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end of one is but the beginning of another.
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The clouds return after the rain. Jacob,
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though a man of great faith, yet was now
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greatly afraid. Note, A lively apprehension
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of danger, and a quickening fear arising from
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it, may very well consist with a humble confidence
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in God's power and promise. Christ
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himself, in his agony, was sorely amazed.</P>
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<P>
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III. He puts himself into the best posture
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of defence that his present circumstances will
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admit. It was absurd to think of making
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resistance, all his contrivance is to make an
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escape,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:7,8"><I>v.</I> 7, 8</A>.
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He thinks it prudent not to
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venture all in one bottom, and therefore
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divides what he had into two companies, that,
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if one were smitten, the other might escape.
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Like a tender careful master of a family, he
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is more solicitous for their safety than for his
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own. He divided his company, not as Abraham
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+14:15"><I>ch.</I> xiv. 15</A>),
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for fight, but for flight.</P>
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<A NAME="Ge32_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge32_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge32_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ge32_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Jacob's Prayer.</I></FONT></TD>
|
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1739.</TD></TR>
|
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
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</TABLE>
|
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>9 And Jacob said, O God of my
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father Abraham, and God of my father
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Isaac, the L<FONT SIZE=-1>ORD</FONT> which saidst
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unto me, Return unto thy country, and
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to thy kindred, and I will deal well
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with thee:
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10 I am not worthy of the
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least of all the mercies, and of all the
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truth, which thou hast showed unto
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thy servant; for with my staff I passed
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over this Jordan; and now I am become
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two bands.
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11 Deliver me, I pray
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thee, from the hand of my brother, from
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the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest
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he will come and smite me, <I>and</I> the mother
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with the children.
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12 And thou
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saidst, I will surely do thee good, and
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make thy seed as the sand of the sea,
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which cannot be numbered for multitude.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Our rule is to call upon God in the time of
|
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<A NAME="Page193"> </A>
|
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trouble; we have here an example to this
|
|
rule, and the success encourages us to follow
|
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this example. It was now a time of Jacob's
|
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trouble, but he shall be saved out of it; and
|
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here we have him praying for that salvation,
|
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+30:7">Jer. xxx. 7</A>.
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In his distress he sought the
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Lord, and he heard him. Note, Times of
|
|
fear should be times of prayer; whatever
|
|
frightens us should drive us to our knees, to
|
|
our God. Jacob had lately seen his guard of
|
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angels, but, in this distress, he applied to
|
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God, not to them; he knew they were his
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fellow-servants,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+22:9">Rev. xxii. 9</A>.
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|
Nor did he
|
|
consult Laban's <I>teraphim;</I> it was enough for
|
|
him that he had a God to go to. To him he
|
|
addresses himself with all possible solemnity,
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so running for safety into the name of the
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|
Lord, <I>as a strong tower,</I>
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+18:10">Prov. xviii. 10</A>.
|
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This prayer is the more remarkable because
|
|
it won him the honour of being an <I>Israel, a
|
|
prince with God,</I> and the father of the praying
|
|
remnant, who are hence called <I>the seed of Jacob,</I>
|
|
to whom he never said, <I>Seek you me in vain.</I>
|
|
Now it is worth while to enquire what there
|
|
was extraordinary in this prayer, that it should
|
|
gain the petitioner all this honour.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The request itself is one, and very express:
|
|
<I>Deliver me from the hand of my brother,</I>
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
Though there was no human probability
|
|
on his side, yet he believed the power of
|
|
God could rescue him as a lamb out of the
|
|
bloody jaws of the loin. Note,
|
|
|
|
1. We have
|
|
leave to be particular in our addresses to God,
|
|
to mention the particular straits and difficulties
|
|
we are in; for the God with whom we
|
|
have to do is one we may be free with: <I>we
|
|
have liberty of speech</I> (<B><I>parresia</I></B>) at the throne
|
|
of grace.
|
|
|
|
2. When our brethren aim to be
|
|
our destroyers, it is our comfort that we have a
|
|
Father to whom we may apply as our deliverer.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The pleas are many, and very powerful;
|
|
never was cause better ordered,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+23:4">Job xxiii. 4</A>.
|
|
He offers up his request with great faith, fervency,
|
|
and humility. How earnestly does
|
|
he beg! <I>Deliver me, I pray thee,</I>
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
His
|
|
fear made him importunate. With what
|
|
holy logic does he argue! With what divine
|
|
eloquence does he plead! Here is a noble
|
|
copy to write after.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He addresses himself to God as the God
|
|
of his fathers,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
|
Such was the humble
|
|
self-denying sense he had of his own unworthiness
|
|
that he did not call God his own God,
|
|
but a God in covenant with his ancestors: <I>O
|
|
God of my father Abraham, and God of my
|
|
father Isaac;</I> and this he could the better
|
|
plead because the covenant, by divine designation,
|
|
was entailed upon him. Note, God's
|
|
covenant with our fathers may be a comfort
|
|
to us when were are in distress. It has often
|
|
been so to the Lord's people,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+22:4,5">Ps. xxii. 4, 5</A>.
|
|
Being born in God's house, we are taken
|
|
under his special protection.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He produces his warrant: <I>Thou saidst
|
|
unto me, Return unto thy country.</I> He did
|
|
not rashly leave his place with Laban, nor
|
|
undertake this journey out of a fickle humour,
|
|
or a foolish fondness for his native country,
|
|
but in obedience to God's command. Note,
|
|
|
|
(1.) We may be in the way of our duty, and yet
|
|
may meet with trouble and distress in that way.
|
|
As prosperity will not prove us in the right, so
|
|
cross events will not prove us in the wrong;
|
|
we may be going whither God calls us, and
|
|
yet may think our way hedged up with thorns.
|
|
|
|
(2.) We may comfortably trust God with our
|
|
safety, while we carefully keep to our duty.
|
|
If God be our guide, he will be our guard.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. He humbly acknowledges his own unworthiness
|
|
to receive any favour from God
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>):
|
|
<I>I am not worthy;</I> it is an unusual
|
|
plea. Some would think he should have
|
|
pleaded that what was now in danger was his
|
|
own, against all the world, and that he had
|
|
earned it dear enough; no, he pleads, <I>Lord,
|
|
I am not worthy of it.</I> Note, Self-denial and
|
|
self-abasement well become us in all our addresses
|
|
to the throne of grace. Christ never
|
|
commended any of his petitioners so much as
|
|
him who said, <I>Lord, I am not worthy</I>
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:8">Matt. viii. 8</A>),
|
|
and her who said, <I>Truth, Lord, yet
|
|
the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from
|
|
their master's table,</I>
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+15:27">Matt. xv. 27</A>.
|
|
Now observe
|
|
here,
|
|
|
|
(1.) How magnificently and honourably
|
|
he speaks of the mercies of God to
|
|
him. We have here, <I>mercies,</I> in the plural
|
|
number, and inexhaustible spring, and innumerable
|
|
streams; <I>mercies and truth,</I> that is,
|
|
past mercies given according to the promise,
|
|
and further mercies secured by the promise.
|
|
Note, What is laid up in God's truth, as well
|
|
as what is laid out in God's mercies, is the
|
|
matter both of the comforts and the praises
|
|
of active believers. Nay, observe, it is <I>all</I> the
|
|
mercies, and <I>all</I> the truth; the manner of expression
|
|
is copious, and intimates that his
|
|
heart was full of God's goodness.
|
|
|
|
(2.) How
|
|
meanly and humbly he speaks of himself, disclaiming
|
|
all thought of his own merit: "<I>I am
|
|
not worthy of the least of all thy mercies,</I>
|
|
much less am I worthy of so great a favour
|
|
as this I am now suing for." Jacob was a
|
|
considerable man, and, upon many accounts,
|
|
very deserving, and, in treating with Laban,
|
|
had justly insisted on his merits, but not before
|
|
God. <I>I am less than all thy mercies;</I> so
|
|
the word is. Note, The best and greatest of
|
|
men are utterly unworthy of the least favour
|
|
from God, and just be ready to own it upon
|
|
all occasions. It was the excellent Mr. Herbert's
|
|
motto, <I>Less than the least of all God's
|
|
mercies.</I> Those are best prepared for the
|
|
greatest mercies that see themselves unworthy
|
|
of the least.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. He thankfully owns God's goodness to
|
|
him in his banishment, and how much it had
|
|
outdone his expectations: "<I>With my staff I
|
|
passed over this Jordan,</I> poor and desolate,
|
|
like a forlorn and despised pilgrim;" he had
|
|
no guides, no companions, no attendants, no
|
|
conveniences for travel, but his staff only,
|
|
nothing else to stay himself upon; "<I>and now
|
|
I have become two bands,</I> now I am surrounded
|
|
with a numerous and comfortable retinue of
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Page194"> </A>
|
|
|
|
children and servants:" though it was his
|
|
distress that had now obliged him to divide
|
|
his family into two bands, yet he makes use
|
|
of that for the magnifying of the mercy of his
|
|
increase. Note,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The increase of our families
|
|
is then comfortable indeed to us when
|
|
we see God's mercies, and his truth, in it.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Those whose latter end greatly increases
|
|
ought, with humility and thankfulness, to
|
|
remember how small their beginning was.
|
|
Jacob pleads, "Lord, thou didst keep me
|
|
when I went out with only my staff, and had
|
|
but one life to lose; wilt thou not keep me
|
|
now that so many are embarked with me?"</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. He urges the extremity of the peril he
|
|
was in: <I>Lord, deliver me from Esau, for I
|
|
fear him,</I>
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
The people of God have not
|
|
been shy of telling God their fears; for they
|
|
know he takes cognizance of them, and considers
|
|
them. The fear that quickens prayer
|
|
is itself pleadable. It was not a robber, but
|
|
a murderer, that he was afraid of; nor was it
|
|
his own life only that lay at stake, but the
|
|
mothers' and the children's, that had left
|
|
their native soil to go along with him. Note,
|
|
Natural affection may furnish us with allowable
|
|
acceptable pleas in prayer.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
6. He insists especially upon the promise
|
|
God had made him
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
|
|
<I>Thou saidst, I will
|
|
deal well with thee,</I> and again, in the close
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
|
|
<I>Thou saidst, I will surely do thee good.</I>
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The best we can say to God in
|
|
prayer is what he has said to us. God's promises,
|
|
as they are the surest guide of our desires
|
|
in prayer, and furnish us with the best
|
|
petitions, so they are the firmest ground of
|
|
our hopes, and furnish us with the best
|
|
pleas. "Lord, thou saidst thus and thus;
|
|
and wilt thou not be as good as thy word,
|
|
the word upon which thou had <I>caused me to
|
|
hope?</I>"
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:49">Ps. cxix. 49</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The most general
|
|
promises are applicable to particular cases.
|
|
"Thou saidst, <I>I will do thee good;</I> Lord, do
|
|
me good in this matter." He pleads also a
|
|
particular promise, that of <I>the multiplying of
|
|
his seed.</I> "Lord, what will become of that
|
|
promise, if they be all cut off?" Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] There are promises to the families of good
|
|
people, which are improvable in prayer for family-mercies,
|
|
ordinary and extraordinary,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+17:17,Ps+112:2,Ps+102:28"><I>ch.</I> xvii. 7; Ps. cxii. 2; cii. 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The world's
|
|
threatenings should drive us to God's promises.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_23"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Jacob's Present to Esau.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1739.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>13 And he lodged there that same
|
|
night; and took of that which came
|
|
to his hand a present for Esau his brother;
|
|
14 Two hundred she goats, and
|
|
twenty he goats, two hundred ewes,
|
|
and twenty rams,
|
|
15 Thirty milch
|
|
camels with their colts, forty kine, and
|
|
ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten
|
|
foals.
|
|
16 And he delivered <I>them</I> into
|
|
the hand of his servants, every drove
|
|
by themselves; and said unto his servants,
|
|
Pass over before me, and put
|
|
a space betwixt drove and drove.
|
|
17 And he commanded the foremost, saying,
|
|
When Esau my brother meeteth
|
|
thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose
|
|
<I>art</I> thou? and whither goest thou?
|
|
and whose <I>are</I> these before thee?
|
|
18 Then thou shalt say, <I>They be</I> thy servant
|
|
Jacob's; it <I>is</I> a present sent unto
|
|
my lord Esau: and, behold, also he <I>is</I>
|
|
behind us.
|
|
19 And so commanded
|
|
he the second, and the third, and all
|
|
that followed the droves, saying, On
|
|
this manner shall ye speak unto Esau,
|
|
when ye find him.
|
|
20 And say ye
|
|
moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob
|
|
<I>is</I> behind us. For he said, I will appease
|
|
him with the present that goeth
|
|
before me, and afterward I will see
|
|
his face; peradventure he will accept
|
|
of me.
|
|
21 So went the present over
|
|
before him: and himself lodged that
|
|
night in the company.
|
|
22 And he
|
|
rose up that night, and took his
|
|
two wives, and his two womenservants,
|
|
and his eleven sons, and passed over
|
|
the ford Jabbok.
|
|
23 And he took
|
|
them, and sent them over the brook,
|
|
and sent over that he had.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Jacob, having piously made God his friend
|
|
by a prayer, is here prudently endeavouring
|
|
to make Esau his friend by a present. He
|
|
had prayed to God to deliver him from the
|
|
hand of Esau, for he feared him; but neither
|
|
did his fear sink into such a despair as dispirits
|
|
for the use of means, nor did his prayer make
|
|
him presume upon God's mercy, without the
|
|
use of means. Note, When we have prayed
|
|
to God for any mercy, we must second our
|
|
prayers with our endeavours; else, instead of
|
|
trusting god, we tempt him; we must so
|
|
depend upon God's providence as to make
|
|
use of our own prudence. "Help thyself,
|
|
and God will help thee;" God answers our
|
|
prayers by teaching us to order our affairs
|
|
with discretion. To pacify Esau,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Jacob sent him a very noble present,
|
|
not of jewels or fine garments (he had them
|
|
not), but of cattle, to the number of 580 in
|
|
all,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:13-15"><I>v.</I> 13-15</A>.
|
|
Now,
|
|
|
|
1. It was an evidence
|
|
of the great increase with which God had
|
|
blessed Jacob that he could spare such a
|
|
number of cattle out of his stock.
|
|
|
|
2. It was
|
|
an evidence of his wisdom that he would
|
|
willingly part with some, to secure the rest;
|
|
some men's covetousness loses them more
|
|
than ever it gained them, and, by grudging
|
|
a little expense, they expose themselves to
|
|
great damage; <I>skin for skin, and all that a
|
|
man has,</I> if he be a wise man, <I>he will give for
|
|
his life.</I>
|
|
|
|
3. It was a present that he thought
|
|
would be acceptable to Esau, who had traded
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Page195"> </A>
|
|
|
|
so much in hunting wild beasts that perhaps
|
|
he was but ill furnished with tame cattle with
|
|
which to stock his new conquests. And we
|
|
may suppose that the mixed colours of Jacob's
|
|
cattle, ring-straked, speckled, and
|
|
spotted, would please Esau's fancy.
|
|
|
|
4. He
|
|
promised himself that by this present
|
|
he should gain Esau's favour; for a gift commonly
|
|
<I>prospers, which way soever it turns</I>
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+17:8">Prov. xvii. 8</A>),
|
|
<I>and makes room for a man</I>
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+18:16">Prov. xviii. 16</A>);
|
|
nay, <I>it pacifies anger and
|
|
strong wrath,</I>
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+21:14">Prov. xxi. 14</A>.
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] We
|
|
must not despair of reconciling ourselves
|
|
even to those that have been most exasperated
|
|
against us; we ought not to judge men
|
|
unappeasable, till we have tried to appease them.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Peace and love, though purchased dearly,
|
|
will prove a good bargain to the purchaser.
|
|
Many a morose ill-natured man would have
|
|
said, in Jacob's case, "Esau has vowed my
|
|
death without cause, and he shall never be a
|
|
farthing the better for me; I will see him far
|
|
enough before I will send him a present:"
|
|
but Jacob forgives and forgets.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He sent him a very humble message,
|
|
which he ordered his servants to deliver in
|
|
the best manner,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:17,18"><I>v.</I> 17, 18</A>.
|
|
They must call
|
|
Esau their <I>lord,</I> and Jacob his <I>servant;</I> they
|
|
must tell him the cattle they had was a small
|
|
present which Jacob had sent him, as a specimen
|
|
of his acquisitions while he was abroad.
|
|
The cattle he sent were to be disposed of in
|
|
several droves, and the servants that attended
|
|
each drove were to deliver the same message,
|
|
that the present might appear the more valuable,
|
|
and his submission, so often repeated,
|
|
might be the more likely to influence Esau.
|
|
They must especially take care to tell him
|
|
that Jacob was coming after
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:18-20"><I>v.</I> 18-20</A>),
|
|
that he might not suspect he had fled through fear.
|
|
Note, A friendly confidence in men's goodness
|
|
may help to prevent the mischief designed
|
|
us by their badness: if Jacob will seem
|
|
not to be afraid of Esau, Esau, it may be
|
|
hoped, will not be a terror to Jacob.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ge32_32"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Jacob Wrestles with an Angel.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1739.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>24 And Jacob was left alone; and
|
|
there wrestled a man with him until
|
|
the breaking of the day.
|
|
25 And when
|
|
he saw that he prevailed not against
|
|
him, he touched the hollow of his
|
|
thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh
|
|
was out of joint, as he wrestled with
|
|
him.
|
|
26 And he said, Let me go,
|
|
for the day breaketh. And he said, I
|
|
will not let thee go, except thou bless
|
|
me.
|
|
27 And he said unto him, What
|
|
<I>is</I> thy name? And he said, Jacob.
|
|
28 And he said, Thy name shall be
|
|
called no more Jacob, but Israel: for
|
|
as a prince hast thou power with God
|
|
and with men, and hast prevailed.
|
|
29 And Jacob asked <I>him,</I> and said, Tell
|
|
<I>me,</I> I pray thee, thy name. And he
|
|
said, Wherefore <I>is</I> it <I>that</I> thou dost
|
|
ask after my name? And he blessed
|
|
him there.
|
|
30 And Jacob called the
|
|
name of the place Peniel: for I have
|
|
seen God face to face, and my life is
|
|
preserved.
|
|
31 And as he passed over
|
|
Penuel the sun rose upon him, and
|
|
he halted upon his thigh.
|
|
32 Therefore the
|
|
children of Israel eat not <I>of</I>
|
|
the sinew which shrank, which <I>is</I> upon
|
|
the hollow of the thigh, unto this day:
|
|
because he touched the hollow of Jacob's
|
|
thigh in the sinew that shrank.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here the remarkable story of Jacob's
|
|
wrestling with the angel and prevailing,
|
|
which is referred to,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+12:4">Hos. xii. 4</A>.
|
|
Very early
|
|
in the morning, a great while before day,
|
|
Jacob had helped his wives and his children
|
|
over the river, and he desired to be private,
|
|
and was left alone, that he might again more
|
|
fully spread his cares and fears before God
|
|
in prayer. Note, We ought to continue instant
|
|
in prayer, always to pray and not to
|
|
faint: frequency and importunity in prayer
|
|
prepare us for mercy. While Jacob was
|
|
earnest in prayer, <I>stirring up himself to take
|
|
hold on God,</I> an angel takes hold on him.
|
|
Some think this was a created angel, the <I>angel
|
|
of his presence</I>
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+63:9">Isa. lxiii. 9</A>),
|
|
one of those that
|
|
<I>always behold the face of our Father</I> and attend
|
|
on the <I>shechinah,</I> or the divine Majesty,
|
|
which probably Jacob had also in view.
|
|
Others think it was Michael our prince, the
|
|
eternal Word, the angel of the covenant, who
|
|
is indeed the Lord of the angels, who often
|
|
appeared in a human shape before he assumed
|
|
the human nature for a perpetuity;
|
|
whichsoever it was, we are sure <I>God's name
|
|
was in him,</I>
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+23:21">Exod. xxiii. 21</A>.
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. How Jacob and this angel engaged,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
It was a single combat, hand to hand;
|
|
they had neither of them any seconds. Jacob
|
|
was now full of care and fear about the interview
|
|
he expected, next day, with his brother,
|
|
and, to aggravate the trial, God himself
|
|
seemed to come forth against him as an
|
|
enemy, to oppose his entrance into the land
|
|
of promise, and to dispute the pass with him,
|
|
not suffering him to follow his wives and
|
|
children whom he had sent before. Note,
|
|
Strong believers must expect divers temptations,
|
|
and strong ones. We are told by the
|
|
prophet
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+12:4">Hos. xii. 4</A>)
|
|
how <I>Jacob wrestled:</I> he
|
|
<I>wept, and made supplication;</I> prayers and
|
|
tears were his weapons. It was not only a corporal,
|
|
but a spiritual, wrestling, by the vigorous
|
|
actings of faith and holy desire; and
|
|
thus all the spiritual seed of Jacob, that pray
|
|
in praying, still wrestle with God.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. What was the success of the engagement.
|
|
|
|
1. Jacob kept his ground; though
|
|
the struggle continued long, the angel, <I>prevailed
|
|
not against him</I>
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>),
|
|
that is, this
|
|
discouragement did not shake his faith, nor
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Page196"> </A>
|
|
|
|
silence his prayer. It was not in his own
|
|
strength that he wrestled, nor by his own
|
|
strength that he prevailed, but in and by
|
|
strength derived from Heaven. That of
|
|
Job illustrates this
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+23:6">Job xxiii. 6</A>),
|
|
<I>Will he
|
|
plead against me with his great power?</I> No
|
|
(had the angel done so, Jacob had been
|
|
crushed), <I>but he will put strength in me;</I> and
|
|
by that <I>strength Jacob had power over the
|
|
angel,</I>
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+12:4">Hos. xii. 4</A>.
|
|
Note, We cannot prevail
|
|
with God but in his own strength. It is his
|
|
Spirit that intercedes in us, and <I>helps our infirmities,</I>
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:26">Rom. viii. 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. The angel put
|
|
out Jacob's thigh, to show him what he
|
|
could do, and that it was God he was wrestling
|
|
with, for no man could disjoint his thigh
|
|
with a touch. Some think that Jacob felt
|
|
little or no pain from this hurt; it is probable
|
|
that he did not, for he did not so much
|
|
as halt till the struggle was over
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>),
|
|
and,
|
|
if so, this was an evidence of a divine touch
|
|
indeed, which wounded and healed at the
|
|
same time. Jacob prevailed, and yet had
|
|
his thigh put out. Note, Wrestling believers
|
|
may obtain glorious victories, and yet come
|
|
off with broken bones; for <I>when they are
|
|
weak then are they strong,</I> weak in themselves,
|
|
but strong in Christ,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+12:10">2 Cor. xii. 10</A>.
|
|
Our honours and comforts in this world have
|
|
their alloys.
|
|
|
|
3. The angel, by an admirable
|
|
condescension, mildly requests Jacob to let
|
|
him go
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>),
|
|
as God said to Moses
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+32:10">Exod. xxxii. 10</A>),
|
|
<I>Let me alone.</I> Could not a mighty
|
|
angel get clear of Jacob's grapples? He
|
|
could; but thus he would put an honour on
|
|
Jacob's faith and prayer, and further try his
|
|
constancy. <I>The king is held in the galleries</I>
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+7:5">Cant. vii. 5</A>);
|
|
<I>I held him</I> (says the spouse)
|
|
<I>and would not let him go,</I>
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+3:4">Cant. iii. 4</A>.
|
|
The
|
|
reason the angel gives why he would be gone
|
|
is <I>because the day breaks,</I> and therefore he
|
|
would not any longer detain Jacob, who had
|
|
business to do, a journey to go, a family to
|
|
look after, which, especially in this critical
|
|
juncture, called for his attendance. Note,
|
|
Every thing is beautiful in its season; even
|
|
the business of religion, and the comforts of
|
|
communion with God, must sometimes give
|
|
way to the necessary affairs of this life: God
|
|
<I>will have mercy, and not sacrifice.</I>
|
|
|
|
4. Jacob
|
|
persists in his holy importunity: <I>I will not
|
|
let thee go, except thou bless me;</I> whatever
|
|
becomes of his family and journey, he resolves
|
|
to make the best he can of this opportunity,
|
|
and not to lose the advantage of his
|
|
victory: he does not mean to wrestle all
|
|
night for nothing, but humbly resolves he
|
|
will have a blessing, and rather shall all his
|
|
bones be put out of joint than he will go
|
|
away without one. The credit of a conquest
|
|
will do him no good without the comfort of
|
|
a blessing. In begging this blessing he owns
|
|
his inferiority, though he seemed to have the
|
|
upper hand in the struggle; for <I>the less is
|
|
blessed of the better.</I> Note, Those that would
|
|
have the blessing of Christ must be in good
|
|
earnest, and be importunate for it, as those
|
|
that resolve to have no denial. It is the fervent
|
|
prayer that is the effectual prayer.
|
|
|
|
5. The angel puts a perpetual mark of honour
|
|
upon him, by changing his name
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:27,28"><I>v.</I> 27, 28</A>):
|
|
"Thou art a brave combatant" (says the
|
|
angel), "a man of heroic resolution; what
|
|
is thy name?" "Jacob," says he, a <I>supplanter;</I>
|
|
so <I>Jacob</I> signifies: "Well," says
|
|
the angel, "be thou never so called any more;
|
|
henceforth thou shalt be celebrated, not for
|
|
craft and artful management, but for true
|
|
valour; thou shalt be called <I>Israel, a prince
|
|
with God,</I> a name greater than those of the
|
|
great men of the earth." He is a prince indeed
|
|
that is a prince with God, and those
|
|
are truly honourable that are mighty in
|
|
prayer, Israels, Israelites indeed. Jacob is
|
|
here knighted in the field, as it were, and
|
|
has a title of honour given him by him that
|
|
is the fountain of honour, which will remain,
|
|
to his praise, to the end of time. Yet this
|
|
was not all; having power with God, he shall
|
|
have power with men too. Having prevailed
|
|
for a blessing from heaven, he shall, no
|
|
doubt, prevail for Esau's favour. Note,
|
|
Whatever enemies we have, if we can but
|
|
make God our friend, we are well off; those
|
|
that by faith have power in heaven have
|
|
thereby as much on earth as they
|
|
have occasion for.
|
|
|
|
6. He dismisses him
|
|
with a blessing,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
Jacob desired to
|
|
know the angel's name, that he might, according
|
|
to his capacity, do him honour,
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+13:17">Judg. xiii. 17</A>.
|
|
But that request was denied,
|
|
that he might not be too proud of his conquest,
|
|
nor think he had the angel at such an
|
|
advantage as to oblige him to what he
|
|
pleased. No, "<I>Wherefore dost thou ask after
|
|
my name?</I> What good will it do thee to
|
|
know that?" The discovery of that was reserved
|
|
for his death-bed, upon which he was
|
|
taught to call him <I>Shiloh.</I> But, instead of
|
|
telling him his name, he gave him his blessing,
|
|
which was the thing he wrestled for:
|
|
<I>He blessed him there,</I> repeated and ratified
|
|
the blessing formerly given him. Note, Spiritual
|
|
blessings, which secure our felicity, are
|
|
better and much more desirable than fine
|
|
notions which satisfy our curiosity. An interest
|
|
in the angel's blessing is better than
|
|
an acquaintance with his name. The tree of
|
|
life is better than the tree of knowledge.
|
|
Thus Jacob carried his point; a blessing he
|
|
wrestled for, and a blessing he had; nor did
|
|
ever any of his praying seed seek in vain.
|
|
See how wonderfully God condescends to
|
|
countenance and crown importunate prayer:
|
|
those that resolve, though God slay them,
|
|
yet to trust in him, will, at length, be more
|
|
than conquerors.
|
|
|
|
7. Jacob gives a new name
|
|
to the place; he calls it <I>Peniel,</I> the <I>face of
|
|
God</I>
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
|
|
because there he had seen the
|
|
appearance of God, and obtained the favour
|
|
of God. Observe, The name he gives to the
|
|
place preserves and perpetuates, not the honour
|
|
of his valour or victory, but only the
|
|
honour of God's free grace. He does not
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Page197"> </A>
|
|
|
|
say, "In this place I wrestled with God, and
|
|
prevailed;" but, "In this place I saw God
|
|
face to face, and my life was preserved;" not,
|
|
"It was my praise that I came off a conqueror,
|
|
but it was God's mercy that I escaped
|
|
with my life." Note, It becomes those whom
|
|
God honours to take shame to themselves,
|
|
and to admire the condescensions of his grace
|
|
to them. Thus David did, after God had
|
|
sent him a gracious message
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+7:18">2 Sam. vii. 18</A>),
|
|
<I>Who am I, O Lord God?</I>
|
|
|
|
8. The memorandum
|
|
Jacob carried of this in his bones:
|
|
<I>He halted on his thigh</I>
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+32:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>);
|
|
some think he
|
|
continued to do so to his dying-day; and, if
|
|
he did, he had no reason to complain,
|
|
for the honour and comfort he obtained by
|
|
this struggle were abundantly sufficient to
|
|
countervail the damage, though he went
|
|
limping to his grave. He had no reason to
|
|
look upon it as his reproach thus <I>to bear in
|
|
his body the marks of the Lord Jesus</I>
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+6:17">Gal. vi. 17</A>);
|
|
yet it might serve, like Paul's thorn in
|
|
the flesh, to keep him from being lifted up
|
|
with the abundance of the revelations. Notice
|
|
is taken of the sun's rising upon him
|
|
when he passed over <I>Penuel;</I> for it is sunrise
|
|
with that soul that has communion with
|
|
God. The inspired penman mentions a traditional
|
|
custom which the seed of Jacob had,
|
|
in remembrance of this, never to eat of that
|
|
sinew, or muscle, in any beast, by which the
|
|
hip-bone is fixed in its cup: thus they preserved
|
|
the memorial of this story, and gave
|
|
occasion to their children to enquire concerning
|
|
it; they also did honour to the memory of
|
|
Jacob. And this use we may still make of it,
|
|
to acknowledge the mercy of God, and our
|
|
obligations to Jesus Christ, that we may now
|
|
keep up our communion with God, in faith,
|
|
hope, and love, without peril either of life or limb.</P>
|
|
|
|
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