_And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him._ And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS I. THE ANGELS THEMSELVES. 1. Their number is very great. 2. They are swift as the flames of fire. 3. They are s... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother._ THE ALARM I. We will consider, in the first place, THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES WHICH JACOB ADOPTED. In the first instance, as soon as he heard of the evil which apparently awaited him, he immediately divided” the people that were with him... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him._ And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS I. THE ANGELS THEMSELVES. 1. Their number is very great. 2. They are swift as the flames of fire. 3. They are s... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies_ A PILGRIM’S ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GOD’S GOODNESS Here we have the typical nature of this narrative brought out before us, as applying, first, to the material; secondly, to the mental; and thirdly, to the spiritual. I. First, with regard to the MATERIAL... [ Continue Reading ]
_Deliver me, I pray Thee, from the hand of my brother_ JACOB’S PRAYER Observe the spirit of Jacob’s prayer. I. IT WAS A REVERENT SPIRIT. II. A HUMBLE SPIRIT. III. A THANKFUL SPIRIT. IV. A SPIRIT DEEPLY SENSIBLE OF ITS DEPENDENCY UPON GOD. V. A SPIRIT OF GREAT CONFIDENCE IN GOD. (_Homilist._)... [ Continue Reading ]
_A present for Esau._ JACOB’S OFFERING TO ESAU 1. Prudent disposition of presents must follow the preparation of them. 2. Good servants are fit helps unto good masters for ordering their affairs. 3. Order is as needful as matter unto prudence to pacifiy enraged enemies. 4. Wise masters must giv... [ Continue Reading ]
_Himself lodged that night in the company_ LESSONS - 1_._ Honest hearts do not only intend good, but see it done, before they rest. 2. Means lawful being used for safety, men may better lie down in peace. 3. It behoveth masters of families to rest among the charge, when it may be (Genesis 32:21... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him_ THE CRISIS IN JACOB’S LIFE From this description of a day and a night in the life of Jacob we learn three things. 1. This is a crisis, a turning-point in his career. His experience at the ford of Jabbok is his “conversion” from the craft a... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me_ JACOB’S STRUGGLE FOR A BLESSING I. He was thoroughly in earnest; he wrestled till he got the blessing. II. If we wish to gain a blessing like Jacob’s, we must be alone with God. It is possible to be alone with God, even in the midst of a multitude.... [ Continue Reading ]
_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_ JACOB THE PRINCE Some surprise may be felt at first at the term prince being applied to the patriarch Jacob; for whatever good qualities distinguish his char... [ Continue Reading ]
_Tell me, I pray Thee, Thy name_ THE GREAT QUESTION This is the question of all questions. For the name of God denotes His nature and His essence, the sum of all His properties and attributes. I. It is a question worth the asking. There is a despair of religious knowledge in the world, as though... [ Continue Reading ]
_And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh_ DEFEATS IN LIFE I. FROM THE GREAT CONFLICT WITH SIN NONE COME OFF WITHOUT MANY A SCAR. We may wrestle and prevail, but there will be touches of the enemy, which will leave their long and bitter memories. The way to... [ Continue Reading ]