28 And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it. I 29 And he said unto him, "Thou knowest how have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me. 30 For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now 12 increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee 13 since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also? 31 And he said, What shall I give thee? Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any If thou wilt do this thing for me, I will feed and keep thy flock: GENESIS, XXXI. CHAP. 30.-B. C. 1745. purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that doctrine of God our Sa tus, 2, 10. 12 broken forth. But if any provide his own house, he hath denied the faith and is 1 Timothy, 5, 8. b And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy 14 to-morrow. And it asketh thee in time to shall be when thy son come, saying, What is c See chapter 31, 9. His substance also hard was seven labour, that the mid- sheep, and three thou- That is, Adding. 35, 17. a 32 I will pass through all thy flock to-day, removing from thence all the speckled and him into this land, wherein ye now father was dead, he re- u Sce chapter 29, 20. hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she household; so that this all the men of the east. e And Abram was very Jacob's policy to become rich. 35 And he removed that day the he-goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the shegoats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons. 36 And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks. 37¶ And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chestnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods. 38 And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink. 39 And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted. 40 And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the_ringstraked and in gold. Genesis, 13, rivers of water, that dered all travail, and in his season; his leaf for this a man is envied of is also vanity and vexa 43 And the man dincreased exceedingly, and his neighbour. This had much cattle, and maid-servants, and menEccles. Servants, and camels, and asses. eth shall prosper. Psalm tion of spirit. spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among All that see them a the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among that they are the seed 4, 4. Let us walk hon in rioting and drunk shall acknowledge them estly, as in the day; not peared unto him the same night, and said, I enness, not in chamber- But the tongue can no CHAPTER XXXI ing. Romans, 13, 131 Jacob departeth secretly from Laban: 19 Rachel stealeth away her father's images. 22 Laban pursueth Jacob: 44 their covenant at Galeed. am of Abra- man tame; it is an un thy father: fear will bless thee, and 34 And Laban said, Behold, I would it might whom his lord hath be according to thy word. house furnished, and her table spread. Her precious fruits offer themselves to be gathered by the hands of little children. It is a laudable custom of the devout Jews, when they find pleasure, suppose in eating an apple, to lift up their hearts, and say, "Blessed be he that made this fruit pleasant!" Or, in smelling a flower, "Blessed be he that made this flower sweet." Some think these mandrakes were jessamine flowers; whatever they were, Rachel could not see them in Leah's hands, into which the child had brought them, but she must covet them. She cannot bear the want of these pretty flowers, but, at any rate, she will purchase them. Note, There may be great sin and folly in the inordinate desire of a small thing. Leah takes this advantage, (as Jacob had of Esau's coveting his red pottage,) to obtain that which was justly due to her, but which|| Rachel would not otherwise have consented to. Note, Strong passions often thwart one another, and those cannot but be continually uneasy, that are hurried by them.-H. ruly evil, full of deadly b Be not thou afraid But unto Cain and to his offering he had not He who feeds the brood of the ravens will not starve the seed of the righteous. FAITHFULNESS OF GOD.-Ver. 25-43. The Lord is ever ready to hear the prayer of faith, and to forgive the transgression of his people; and he graciously recompenses and honours their integrity and faithful industry. He convinces all, with whom they are connected, that he hath loved them, and that he blesses others on their account: so that it is not uncommon for those, who love neither them nor their religion, to value them from interested motives; and to desire to employ them in preference to others: and "all who name the name of Christ" should, for the honour of his gospel, be ambitious of this distinction.-The Lord will also, in one way or other, plead the cause of the injured and oppressed; and honour those who simply trust his providence, avoid evil and the appearance of it, and walk so wisely, as to give no occasion of reproach to those who manifestly are seeking it. And, as the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof," he hath an indisputable right to dispose of every one's property as he pleases; and who shall dare to find fault with his appointments?-S. DESIRE FOR CHILDREN.-The learned Bishop Patrick very well suggests here, that the true reason of this contest between Jacob's wives for his company, and their giving of him their maids to be his wives, was, the earnest desire they had to fulfil the promise made to Abraham, (and now lately renewed to Jacob,) that his seed should be as the stars of heaven for multitude, and that in one Seed of his, the Messiah, all the nations of the earth should be blessed. And he thinks it had been below the dignity of this sacred history, to take such particular notice of these things, if there had not been some such great consideration in them. -H. HOME SICK.-Jacob's term being expired, he begs leave to begone, v. 25. Observe, 1. He retained his affection for the land of Canaan, not only because it was the land of his nativity, and his father and mother were there, whom he longed to see; but because it was the land of promise, and in token of his depen-thing evil by their example, the consequences are often durably pernicious; bedence upon the promise of it; though he sojourn in Haran, he can by no means think of settling there. Thus should we be affected towards our heavenly country, looking upon ourselves as strangers here, viewing the heavenly country as our home, and longing to be there, as soon as the days of our service upon earth are numbered and finished. We must not think of taking root here, for this is not our place and country, Heb. 13, 14. 2. He was desirous to go to Canaan, though he had a great family to take with him, and no provision yet made for them. He had got wives and children with Laban, but nothing else; yet he does not solicit Laban to give him either a portion with his wives, or the maintenance of some of his children. No, all his request is, Give me my wives and my children, and send me away, v. 25, 26. Note, Those that trust in God, and in his providence and promise, though they have great families and small incomes, can cheerfully hope that he who sends mouths will send meat. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.-Ver. 1-24. When eminent persons sanction anycause it is far more easy to imitate the misconduct of those whom we esteem, than to copy their faith and obedience. And when we tread their devious footsteps, it is natural for us to go further than they did: nay, we are apt to think ourselves authorized, or at least excused, in so doing. What an unhappy precedent was Sarah, to Rachel; and Leah and Abraham, to Jacob! We are grieved to see this plain man, in his old age, yielding to one suggestion after another to multiply wives; though by that means he multiplied bitter envy and contention in his family. This "his way was his folly;" though many of his posterity approved and imitated his example.—To carry matters even between two wives, who have an equal claim to affection, is almost, if not utterly, impossible: and to fail of it, ensures emulation and strife, and may even perpetuate discord to posterity. How much more comfortably did Isaac live with Rebekah, according to God's primary institution, than Jacob with his two wives and their handmaids!-Envy from Laban. CHAP. 31.-B. C. 1739. he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also d So that the man that and took the stone that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward the wife of his bosom, his brother, and toward toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave. Deuter. 28, 54 1 as yesterday and the day before.-And Jonathan brought David to Sul, and he was in his presence, as in thee in all places whi- into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which of. Genesis, 28, 15. And my father Abraham, and i have spoken to thee suffer-Jacob said, O God of and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and will deal well with thee. to thy kindred, and I Genesis, 32, 9. See verse 2. g Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: Iwill strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the cousness. Isa. 41, 10. right hand of my right h See chapter 30, 29. i See verse 41. 10 And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the 2 rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speck-lecause all those men led, and grisled. I. 11 And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: and I said, Here am 12 And he said, Lift up now thine eyes and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee. have seen my glory, and my miracles which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, these ten times, and have tempted me now have not hearkened to 14, 22 I my voice. Numbers, k He suffered no man he reproved kings for to do them wrong: yea, their sakes. Ps. 105, 14. 7 See chapter 30, 32. he had put for his pil- our money. lows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. And he called the name of that Beth-el. 28, 18, 19. q See chapter 32, 9. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Gen. 2, 24. Because 16 For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children's: now then,whatsoever God hath said unto thee,do. 17 ¶ Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels; 18 And he carried away all his cattle, and all And Laban said unto his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve getting, which he had gotten in Padan-aram, me for nought? tell me, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan. Or, he-goats. deemed me from all Genesis, 48, 16. 15. n The Angel which re evil, bless the lads. o And the LORD said, have surely seen the which are in Egypt. cry by reason of their affliction of my people, and have heard their taskmasters; for know their sorrows. Exodus, 3, 7. the rose up, Then Laban and Bethuel answered and 22 And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled. で 23 And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead. x 24 And God" came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob 5 either good or bad. 25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead. 26 And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to eth from the LORD we me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword? said, The thing proceed early in morning, away, and went on and jealousy are most tormenting passions to the breast which harbours them, vexatious to all around, and introductory to much impatience and ungodliness; observing, therefore, how absurd and odious they appear in Rachel, we should watch and pray against them in ourselves; and turn aside from all such objects and pursuits as tend to excite them.-Too frequently, they who possess the most beautiful countenances, are lamentably deficient in "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit; which is in the sight of God," and of all wise men, of much greater value; and partial affections are often corrected by the persons on whom they are misplaced. They who are angry only at sin, and express that anger by reasonable, though sharp, rebukes, and with zeal for the honour of God, are not sinfully angry: nor must those whom we love best be connived at in wickedness.Our natural conscience is a partial and erroneous judge, and, if left to itself, will often excuse, nay, commend, our very faults: we ought therefore to seek to the word, and pray for the Spirit, of God, to illuminate our understandings, and deliver our consciences from mistake and self-flattery.-S. CHAP. XXXI. RICHES.-Riches are glorious things in the eyes of carnal people, while to all those that are conversant with heavenly things, they have no glory in comparison with the glory which excelleth. Men's over valuing worldly wealth, is that fundamental error which is the root of covetousness, envy, and all evil. How basely Laban's sons reflect upon Jacob's fidelity, as if what he had, he had not gotten honestly; Jacob has taken away all that was our father's. Not all, sure. What was become of those cattle which were committed to the custody of Laban's sons, and sent three days' jourrey off? ch. 30, 35, 36. They mean all that was committed to him; but, speaking invidiously, they express themselves thus generally. Note, 1. Those that are ever so careful to keep a good conscience, yet cannot always be sure of a good name. 2. This is one of the vanities and vexations which attend outward prosperity, that it makes a man to be envied of his neighbour; (Eccl. 4, 4:) and who can stand before envy? Prov. 27, 4. Whom heaven blesses, hell curses, and all its children on earth.-H. A CHURL.-Laban himself said little, but his countenance was not toward Jacob as it used to be; and Jacob could not but take notice of it, v. 2, 5. He was but a churl at the best, but now he was more churlish than formerly. Note, envy is a sin that often appears in the countenance; hence we read of an evil eye, Prov. 23, 6. Sour looks may do a great deal toward the ruin of peace and love in a family, and the making of those uneasy whose comfort we ought to be tender of. Laban's angry countenance lost him the greatest blessing his family ever had, and justly.-H. DIVINE DIRECTION.-Jacob resolved by divine direction, and under the convoy of a promise; (v. 3,) The Lord said unto Jacob, Return, and I will be with thec. Though Jacob had met with very hard usage here, yet he would not quit his place, till God bid him. He came thither by orders from heaven, and there he would stay, till he was ordered back. Note, it is our duty to set ourselves, and it will be our comfort to see ourselves under God's guidance, both in our going out, and in our coming in. The direction he had from heaven, is more fully related in the account he gives of it to his wives, (v. 10-13,) where he tells them of a dream he had about his cattle, and the wonderful increase of those of his colour; and how the angel of God, in that dream, (for I suppose the dream spoken of, v. 10, and that v. 11, to be the same,) took notice of the workings of his fancy in his sleep, and instructed him, that it was not by chance, nor by his own policy, that he obtained that great advantage.-H. THE GOD OF BETHEL.-Ver. 10-13. It has before been supposed, that Jacob had some previous divine intimation, suggesting the plan which he adopted respecting the cattle: (Note, xxx, 37-42:) but the dream, which he here relates to Rachel and Leah, seems to have taken place towards the close of his service. Thus he accounted to them for the rapid increase of his flocks, and introduced the subsequent proposal, in which he made known to them the will of God, and the justice of his cause; that by thus appealing to them, and consulting with them, he might obtain their willing acquiescence. The Lord himself pointed out the circumstance concerning the colour of the rams, that Jacob might ascribe his success to the Divine blessing, and possess his substance with a thankful heart and a quiet conscience, regardless of the unmerited anger of Laban and his sons. -The language of the passage is worthy of peculiar attention: "The Angel of God spake."-"I am the God of Bethel." The supposition of some learned men, that the angel spake as an ambassador, in the name of God, is extremely unreasonable: for what ambassador, when representing his principal, ever said, 'I am the king? Would not such language be a claim to the honour due only to his sovereign?-The Jewish expositors, and some others, imagine, that on such occasions there was a glorious appearance of JEHOVAH, distinct from the angel: but were there two speakers in this instance? Nothing can be plainer, than that he, who is called "The Angel," said "I am the God of Bethel."-Repeated instances of this kind continually augment the evidence, that the speaker was no other than the Word and Son of God, who "was God, and with God," but now condescended to be the angel, or messenger, of the Father to men; as he afterwards did in human nature to "take upon him the form of a servant. Yet in both manifestations of himself he could say: "He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father; for I and the Father are One."-The title, "the God of Beth-el," would be peculiarly encouraging to Jacob. Ver. 15-16. Laban, instead of providing for his daughters, had sold them as strangers and slaves for the increase of his wealth, which he spent entirely on himself and his sons. But God had provided for them, by giving Laban's substance to Jacob; and they acknowledged his hand in it, and were well satisfied. The conduct of Leah and Rachel, in this particular, does not appear reprehensible: they could not have concurred with Laban, without neglecting their duty to a still nearer relation; and preferring the cause of an idolater, and an unjust man, to that of Jacob, the approved servant of God. What they said was private, and in conjugal confidence; and so did not dishonour Laban.-S. HOUSEHOLD-GODS. Rachel was not so honest as her husband; she stole her father's images, (v. 19,) and carried them away with her. The Hebrew calls them Teraphim. Some think they were only little representations of the ancestors of the family, in statues or pictures, which Rachel had a particular fondness for, and was desirous to have with her, now that she was going into another country. It should rather seem, they were images for a religious use, Penates, HouseholdGods, either worshipped or consulted as oracles; and we are willing to hope (with 32 With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them. 33 And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maid-servants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban 7 searched all the tent, but found them not. 35 And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot frise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images. 36 And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me? 37 Whereas thou hast 8 searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both. 38 This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. 39 That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. 40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. GENESIS, XXXI. CHAP. 31.-B. C. 1739. their way. 1 Samuel, 30, 2 And they lifted up have unto her. the oxen, and ran after 19, 20 And they all wept sore, and fell on Saul, Thou hast done The covenant at Galeed. CHAP. 31.-B. C. 1739. I 'served thee fourteen years for thy two daughm thou from him, he shall make restitution unto ters, and six years for thy cattle: and the owner thereof. Exo- Fulfil her week, and which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other 0 42 Except "the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and side, now may Israel the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee m See verse 7. LORD who was on our say; if it had not been o Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and yesternight. 43 ¶ And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and let him be your dread. these children are my children, and these cattle p And the LORD said, are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: affliction of my people and what can I do this day unto these my and have heard their daughters, or unto their children which they would the LORD have have surely seen the 41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; And if it be stolen Bishop Patrick) that she did not take them away as being covetous of the rich which are in Egypt, cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know have born? their sorrows. Ex. 3, 7. tending with the devil, he disputed about And they said, We saw certainly that the be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and a 44 Now therefore come thou, "let us make a Covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee. 45 And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar. 46 And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap. 47 And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it 10 Galeed. 48 And Laban said, "This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed; 49 And 11 Mizpah; "for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. 50 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives besides my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee. 51 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee; 52 This heap be witness, and this pillar be wit11 That is. A beacon, ness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, And Samuel said, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and Mather, and I will pray this pillar unto me, for harm. rule every event for our good.—In all our removals we should have respect to the command, promise, and providence of God: and if he be with us, we need not fear in the most dangerous circumstances. Indeed, so many are the perils with which we are surrounded, that nothing else can reasonably ensure our safety, or encourage our hearts.—The remembrance of favoured seasons of communion with God, is very refreshing to us when embarrassed in difficulties; and the recollection of our vows should be frequent, that we may not fail to fulfil them.-S. A GOOD SERVANT.-Jacob had approved himself such a one, v. 38,.. 40. 1. He was very careful, so that, through his oversight or neglect, the ewes did not cast their young. His piety also procured a blessing upon his master's effects that were under his hands. Note, Servants should take no less care of what they are intrusted with for their masters, than if they were entitled to it as their own. 2. He was very honest, and took none of that for his own eating which was not allowed him. He contented himself with mean fare, and coveted not to feast upon the rams of the flock. Note, Servants must not be dainty in their food, nor covet what is forbidden them, but, in that and other instances, shew all good fidelity. 3. He was very laborious, v. 40. He stuck to his business all weathers, and bore both heat and cold with invincible patience. Note, Men of business, that intend to make something of it, must resolve to endure hardness. Jacob is here an example to ministers; they also are shepherds, of whom it is required that they be true to their trust, and willing to take pains.-H. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.-Ver. 1-21. How particularly are the affairs of these families related, while the great events of states and kingdoms are passed over in silence, and buried in obscurity! Indeed, the Bible is intended to teach people the duties of common life; and how to serve God, enjoy comfort, and do good, in their several stations and relations: and but very few are concerned in the government of empires, compared with the numbers who support the characters of parents and children, husbands and wives, masters and servants.-The selfish think themselves robbed of all, which others obtain from them, however A HARD MASTER.-Laban had been such a one to Jacob. Those are bad justly; and covetousness destroys even natural affection. Yet, those objects, masters, 1. Who exact from their servants that which is unjust, by obliging them which the men of the world count "all their glory," are so scanty, that, in the to make good that which is not damaged by any default of their's. This Laban pursuit or possession of them, they stand in each other's way, and every one did, v. 39. Nay, if there has been a neglect, yet it is unjust to punish above the seems to be taking from the rest: hence discontent, envy, and discord. But there proportion of the fault. That may be an inconsiderable damage to the master, are possessions of such extent, as amply to suffice for all: happy they who seek which would go near to ruin a poor servant. 2. Those also are bad masters, who them in the first place! We may, however, thankfully receive, and cheerfully deny to their servants that which is just and equal. This Laban did, v. 41. It use, the portion which Providence allots us, as far as we obtain it with a clear was unreasonable for him to make Jacob serve for his daughters, when he had in conscience, and a testimony in the consciences of others to our fidelity and in- reversion so great an estate secured to him by the promise of God himself; as it tegrity: and even if men should hate and criminate us without reason, yet, when was also to give him his daughters without portions, when it was in the power of "our ways please the LORD," he will plead our cause, and "make our very enemies his hands to do well for them. Thus he robbed the poor because he was poor, as to be at peace with us:" he will vindicate our characters, do us justice, and over- || he did also by changing his wages.-H. 4 And he commanded them, saying, shall ye speak unto lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with and stayed there until now: GENESIS, XXXII. CHAP. 32-B. C. 1739. a For he shall give his to keep thee in all thy angels charge over thee, they not all minister- the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, That is, two hosts, 1 That is, two hosts, or, camps. A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger. Proverbs, 15, 1. creased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maid-servants, and men-servants, and ca And the man in men-mels, and asses. 5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and servants, and women-servants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that 'I may find grace in thy sight. 6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred with him. 7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and tressed: and he divided the people that with him, and the flocks, and herds, and camels, into two bands; men 30, 43. Gen. And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. 1 Sam. 1, 18. h See chapter 33, 1. i Let us arise, and go make there an altar CHAP. 32.-B. C. 1739. of Isaac: the land where on thou liest, to thee thy seed. Gen. 25, 13. will I give it, and to m See chapter 31, 3, 13. 3 I am less than all, etc. n And Abraham anSwered and said, Be hold now, I have taken the Lord, which am but upon me to speak unto dust and ashes. Gen. 18, 27. To the LORD our God belong mercies and we have rebelled against forgivenesses, though him. Daniel, 9, 9. o And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth. Genesis, 24, 27. His present to him 11 Deliver 2 me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and " the mother 4 with the children. 8 12 And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude. 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 hegoats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams, 15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty Though thy begin-kine, and ten bulls, twenty she-asses, and ten foals. 16 And he delivered them into the hand of Deliver me from mine his servants, every drove by themselves; and fend me from them that said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and be spoiled, Shalman spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children. Hosea, 10, 14. 4 upon. And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth; and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the 19 And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, and in thee and in thy On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when lies of the earth be bless-ye find him. north, and to the south: up to Beth-el; and I will dis-ed me in the day of my distress, and was with ed. And, behold, I am in all places me in the way which was the went. Genesis, 35, 3. I And when Pharaoh with thee, and will keep 20 And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant ther thou goest, and Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will "ap bring again into this land; for I drew nigh, the children terthem; and they were sore afraid; and the A out unto the LORD. Exodus, 14, 10. good showeth man will guide his affairs favour, and lendeth: he with discretion. Psalm preserve thee, underProverbs, 2, 11. For his 112, 5. Discretion shall standing shall keepthee. God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him. Isa, 28, 26. Call upon me in the deliver thee, and thou day of trouble: I will shalt glorify me. Psalm 50, 15. LORD stood above it. the And, behold, the and said, I am LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God A KIND PROVIDENCE.-God took cognizance of the wrong done to Jacob, and repaid him whom Laban would otherwise have sent empty away, and rebuked Laban, who otherwise would have swallowed him up. Note, God is the Patron of the oppressed; and those who are wronged and yet not ruined, cast down and yet not destroyed, must acknowledge him in their preservation, and give him the glory of it. Observe, 1. Jacob speaks of God, as the God of his father, intimating that he thought himself unworthy to be thus regarded, but was beloved for the father's sake. 2. He calls him the God of Abraham, and the Fear of Isaac: for Abraham was dead, and gone to that world where perfect love casts out fear; but Isaac was yet alive, sanctifying the Lord in his heart, as his Fear and his Dread.-H. CHAP. XXXII. ANGELS.-Here is Jacob's convoy in his journey, v. 1. The angels of God met him, in a visible appearance, whether in a vision by day, or in a dream by night, as when he saw them upon the ladder, (ch. 28, 12,) is uncertain. Note, Those that keep in a good way, have always a good guard; angels themselves are ministering spirits for their safety, Hebrews, 1, 14. Where Jacob pitched his tents, they pitched their's about him, Psalm 34, 7. They met him, to bid him welcome to Canaan again; a more honourable reception this was, than ever any prince had, that was met by the magistrates of a city in their formalities. They met him, to congratulate him on his arrival, and particularly on his escape from Laban; for they have pleasure in the prosperity of God's servants. They had invisibly attended him all along, but now they appeared to him, because he had greater dangers before him than those he had hitherto encountered. Note, When God designs his people for extraordinary trials, he prepares them by extraordinary comforts. We should think it had been more seasonable for those angels to have appeared to him amidst the perplexity and agitation occasioned first by Laban, and afterward by Esau, than in this calm and quiet interval, when he saw not himself in any imminent peril; but God will have us, when we are in peace, to provide for trouble, and when trouble comes, to live upon former observations and experiences; for we walk by faith, not by sight. God's people, at death, are returning to Canaan, to their Father's house; and then the angels of God will meet them, to congratulate them on the happy finishing of their servitude, and to carry them to their rest.-H. MEEKNESS.-Jacob humbly acknowledges his own unworthiness to receive any favour from God, (v. 10,) I am not worthy; 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, Lord, I am not worthy of it. Note, Self-denial and self-abasement will become us in all our addresses to the throne of grace. Christ never commended any of his petitioners so much as him who said, Lord, I am not worthy, (Matth. 8, 8,) and her will not leave thee, un- pease him with the present that goeth before which I have spoken to me, and afterward I will see his face; peradvenA man's gift maketh ture he will accept 5 of me. room for him, and bringeth him before great men. Proverbs, 18, 16. u A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a reward in the bosom strong 5 my face. 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 wrath. Proverbs, 21, 14. two wives, and his two women-servants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. 23 And he took them, and 6 sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. v And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the river Arnon half the valley, and the border bok, which is the border even unto the river Jabmon. Deut. 3, 16. 6 caused to pass. 7 ascending of the morning. of the children of Am 24 And Jacob was left alone; and there Wrestled a man with him until the 7 breaking of the day. 25 And when he saw that he prevailed not who said, Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table, Matth. 15, 27. Now observe here, 1. How magnificently and honourably he speaks of the mercies of God to him. We have here, mercies, in the plural number, an inexhaustible spring, and innumerable streams; mercies and truth, 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 all the mercies, and all 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 am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies, 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 am less than all thy mercies; so the word is. Note, The best and greatest of men are utterly unworthy of the least favour from God, and must be ready to own it upon all occasions. It was the excellent Mr. Herbert's motto, Less than the least of all God's mercies. Those are best prepared for the greatest mercies, that see themselves unworthy of the least.-H. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. Ver. 1-12. Though we cannot behold the angels meeting us, and, as the host of God, encamping round us; yet, possessing that "faith which is the evidence of things not seen," we may have a full and comfortable assurance that they actually do so. And we need to be encouraged, not only by expecting the guardianship of angels, but by a firm reliance on the protection of the God of angels, to render us secure and happy in such a world as this; where victory in one conflict only reminds us to arm for another; and deliverance from one trouble or danger, to prepare for further suffering. Yet, frequently our severest trials result from former transgressions, and call them to our remembrance for our deeper humiliation.-Prudent precautions may and ought to be employed, by those who simply trust in God; and to neglect them is to tempt him: nor are any means more proper to disarm resentment, especially that of proud and worldly men, than humble respectful language, and relinquishing the objects of contention. Yet these are but means; and unless God arrest and influence the heart, they cannot subdue the power of jealousy and revenge.-In times of urgent danger, the strongest faith and repeated assurances will not entirely exclude terror and distress; but they will put life and vigour into humble fervent prayer, and enable us to plead the promises, to remember former mercies and deliverances, and, in the path of unreserved obedience, so to leave ourselves in the Lord's hands, as shall ensure protection, and restore peace to our souls.-S. PRAYERS AND PAINS.-Jacob, having piously made God his Friend by a GENESIS, XXXIII. CHAP. 32-B. C. 1739 w Watch and pray,that tation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Mat. 26, 41. And they drew nigh unto the village,whither they went: and he breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, as though he would except thou bless me. 27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. have gone further. Luke, 24, 28. and Esau. CHAP. 33.-B. C. 1739. Women and the children; and said, Who are given me in this place. them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless an them. Genesis, 48, 9. and the fruit of the ye enter not into temp. And he said. Bring 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, 2 What meanest thou by fall this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: found in Bethel, and there he spake with us. Hosea, That is, A prince no 12, 4. hast 8 28 And he said, Thy name shall be called more Jacob, but 8 Israel: for as a prince hast thou with God and" with men, and power prevailed. I 29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, God. of 2 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he yea, he had power over Hosea, 12, 3, 4. had power with God: pray thee, thy name. And he said, Where-theangel, and prevailed. fore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30 And Jacob called the name of the 9 Peniel: for I have seen God face to and my life is preserved. place face, sun of 31 And as he passed over Penuel the rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. 32 Therefore the children of Israel eat not the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank. AND CHAPTER XXXIII. me this day thy birth- him: and he said, BeAnd Isaac trembled there is no God in all a And Jacob said, Sell right. Genesis, 25, 31. very exceedingly, and that hath taken veni said, Who? where is he son, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? and he shall be blessed. Genesis, 27, 33. b And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus secret? Judges, 13, 18 That is, The face of after my name, seeing it God. c And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. Exodus, 33, 20. And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath showed us his and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth liveth. Deut. 5, 24. CHAP. 33.—B. C. 1739. talk with man, and he 1 The kindness of Jacob and Esau at their meeting.-17 Jacob glory, and his greatness, cometh to Succoth; 18 He buyeth a field, and buildeth an altar. ND 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 dren foremost, and Leah and her children and Rachel and Joseph hindermost. 5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the 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, 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, v. 13-15. 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 dear, 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.-H. IMPORTUNATE PRAYER.-Jacob persists in his holy importunity; I will not let thee go, except thou bless me; 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 the less is blessed of the better. 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.-H. TRIUMPHANT PRAYER.-The angel puts a perpetual mark of honour upon Jacob, by changing his name; (v. 27, 28.) "Thou art a brave combatant," (says the angel,) "a man of heroic resolution; What is thy name?" "Jacob," says he, a supplanter; so Jacob 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 Israel, a prince with God, 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 now therefore, I pray thy servant. 2 Kings, 5, 15. 4 all things. j 11 Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is And Naaman said. De brought to thee; because God hath dealt And he urged graciously with me, and because I have 4 enough. And he urged him, and he took it. content, take two ta lents. him, and bound two servants; and they bare them before him. 2 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 are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me; and if men should Esau his brother unto to 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 5 as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto thou hast comforted my lord unto Seir. 18 ¶ And Jacob came to " Shalem a city of we have, if we can but make God our Friend, we are well off; they that by faith have power in heaven, have thereby as much power on earth as they have occasion for.-H. THE ANGEL OF THE COVENANT.-Ver. 30. He who appeared to Jacob was before called a Man, yet here he is called GOD. The prophet Hosea calls him "the angel,"__“, even JEHOVAH, the God of hosts, "JEHOVAH is his memorial;" and says, that "Jacob wept, and made supplication to him." (Notes, Hos. xii, 3-5.) We cannot, therefore, reasonably doubt the sentiments of Jacob, of Moses, and of Hosea, concerning him who now wrestled with Jacob, and surnamed him Israel. And the Scriptures referred to in the margin, if carefully examined and compared, will have a powerful tendency to convince the impartial enquirer, that he could be no other than the eternal Son of God, by these appearances anticipating his incarnation. It is, indeed, asserted by the Rabbinical expositors, and from them adopted by some learned men, that the SHECHINAH, or visible glory of God, of which the attendant angels constituted a part, was displayed on this occasion, as well as on all others recorded of a similar kind; and that these expressions and the language often used by the angel who appeared, are to be thus accounted for.-But there seems no scriptural ground for this sentiment; and it was probably first devised to answer the arguments taken from such passages, by the ancient Christian writers, for the deity of the predicted Messiah, and the doctrine of the Trinity; though it has been since espoused by many who profess those doctrines. The word SHECHINAH is not found in Scripture, but only in the Rabbinical Hebrew. It signifies merely a habitation; but it is used to denote all those appearances by which the special presence of JEHOVAH was announced. It is readily allowed, that a visible glory of this kind afterwards appeared to Moses and to Israel; and perhaps in the holy of holies, both of the tabernacle and temple, above the mercy seat. Ex. xiii, 21, 22; xiv, 19-24; xvi, 10; xxxiii, 7-11, 18-23; xl, 34-38; Num. xii, 4, 5; xiv, 10; xvi, 19, 42; 1 Kings viii, 10, 11.—S. CHAP. XXXIII. OUR SUFFICIENCY.-What needeth it? 1. Jacob is humble, and needs it not for state; he desires not to make a fair shew 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, What needeth it? 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. They need not be beholden to an arm of flesh, that have God for their Arm every morning. Jacob adds, "Only let me find grace in the sight of my lord; 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.-H. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.-When we have poured out our souls before the Lord in fervent prayer, we are prepared to meet dangers and difficulties with |