Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 1.djvu/201

Rh prayer to God, v. 9..12. He sends a present to his brother, v. 13..23. 4. He wrestles with the angel, v. 24..32.

ND Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2. And when Jacob saw them, he said. This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Jacob is here got clear of Laban, and pursuing his journey homeward, toward Canaan: when God has helped us through difficulties, we should go on our way heaven-ward with so much the more cheerfulness and resolution.

Now,

1. 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, Heb. 1. 14. Where Jacob pitched his tents, they pitched their's about him, Ps. 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 these 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.

2. The comfortable notice he took of this convoy, v. 2, This is God's host, and therefore, (1.) It is a powerful host; very great is he that is thus attended, and very safe that is thus guarded. (2.) God must have the praise of this protection: "This I may thank God for, for it is his host." A good man may with an eye of faith, see the same that Jacob saw with his bodily eyes, by believing that promise, (Ps. 91. 11.) He shall give his angels charge over thee. What need have we to dispute whether every particular saint has a guardian angel, when we are sure he has a guard of angels about him? To preserve the remembrance of this favour, Jacob gave a name to the place from it, Mahanaim, two hosts, or two camps. That is, say some of the Rabbins, one host of the guardian angels of Mesopotamia, who conducted Jacob thence, and delivered him safe to the other host of the angels of Canaan, who met him upon the borders where he now was. Rather, they appeared to him in two hosts, one on either side, or one in front, and the other in rear, to protect him from Laban behind, and Esau before, that they might be a complete guard. Thus he is compassed with God's favour. Perhaps, in allusion to this, the church is called Mahanaim, two armies. Cant. 6. 13. Here was Jacob's family, which was one army, representing the church militant and itinerant on earth; and the angels another army, representing the church triumphant, and at rest in heaven.

3. And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4. And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now: 5. And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and men-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 men with him. 7. Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands; 8. And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.

Now that Jacob was re-entering Canaan, God, by the vision of angels, reminded him of the friends he had when he left it, and thence he takes occasion to remind himself of the enemies he had, particularly Esau. It is probable that Rebekah had sent him word of Esau's settlement in Seir, and of the continuance of his enmity to him. What shall poor Jacob do? He longs to see his father, and yet he dreads to see his brother. He rejoices to see Canaan again, and yet cannot but rejoice with trembling because of Esau.

I. He sends a very kind and humble message to Esau. It does not appear that his way lay through Esau's country, or that he needed to ask his leave for a passage; but his way lay near it, and he would not go by him without paying him the respect due to a brother, a twin-brother, an only brother, an elder brother, a brother offended. Note, 1. Though our relations fail in their duty to us, yet we must make conscience of doing our duty to them. 2. It is a piece of friendship and brotherly love, to acquaint our friends with our state, and inquire into their's. Acts of civility may help to slay enmities. Jacob's message to him is very obliging, v. 4, 5. (1.) He calls Esau his lord, himself his servant, to intimate that he did not insist upon the prerogatives of the birth-right and blessing he had obtained for himself, but left it to God to fulfil his own purpose in his seed. Note, Yielding pacifies great offences, Eccl. 10. 4. We must not refuse to speak in a respectful and submissive manner, to those that are ever so unjustly exasperated against us. (2.) He gives him a short account of himself; that he was not a fugitive and a vagabond, but, though long absent, had had a certain dwelling-place, with his own relations, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there till now; and that he was not a beggar, nor did he come home as the prodigal son, destitute of necessaries, and likely to be a charge to his relations; No, I have oxen and asses. This, he knew, would (if any thing) recommend him to Esau's good opinion. And, (3.) He courts his favour; I have sent, that I might find grace in thy sight. Note, It is no disparagement to those that have the better cause, to become petitioners for reconciliation, and to sue for peace as well as right.