Genesis:32

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* Verse 1-8 - The angels of God appeared to Jacob , to encourage him with the assurance of the Divine protection . When God designs his people for great trials , he prepares them by great comforts . While Jacob , to whom the promise belonged , had been in hard service , Esau was become a prince . Jacob sent a message , showing that he did not insist upon the birth-right . Yielding pacifies great offences , Ecclesiastes strkjv @10:4 . We must not refuse to speak respectfully , even to those unjustly angry with us . Jacob received an account of Esau 's warlike preparations against him , and was greatly afraid . A lively sense of danger , and quickening fear arising from it , may be found united with humble confidence in God 's power and promise . * Verse 9-23 - Times of fear should be times of prayer : whatever causes fear , should drive us to our knees , to our God . Jacob had lately seen his guards of angels , but in this distress he applied to God , not to them ; he knew they were his fellow-servants , Revelation strkjv @22:9 . There cannot be a better pattern for true prayer than this . Here is a thankful acknowledgement of former undeserved favours ; a humble confession of unworthiness ; a plain statement of his fears and distress ; a full reference of the whole affair to the Lord , and resting all his hopes on him . The best we can say to God in prayer , is what he has said to us . Thus he made the name of the Lord his strong tower , and could not but be safe . Jacob 's fear did not make him sink into despair , nor did his prayer make him presume upon God 's mercy , without the use of means . God answers prayers by teaching us to order our affairs aright . To pacify Esau , Jacob sent him a present . We must not despair of reconciling ourselves to those most angry against us . * Verse 24-32 - A great while before day , Jacob being alone , more fully spread his fears before God in prayer . While thus employed , One in the likeness of a man wrestled with him . When the spirit helpeth our infirmities , and our earnest and vast desires can scarcely find words to utter them , and we still mean more than we can express , then prayer is indeed wrestling with God . However tried or discouraged , we shall prevail ; and prevailing with Him in prayer , we shall prevail against all enemies that strive with us . Nothing requires more vigour and unceasing exertion than wrestling . It is an emblem of the true spirit of faith and prayer . Jacob kept his ground ; though the struggle continued long , this did not shake his faith , nor silence his prayer . He will have a blessing , and had rather have all his bone put out of joint than go away without one . Those who would have the blessing of Christ , must resolve to take no denial . The fervent prayer is the effectual prayer . The Angel puts a lasting mark of honour upon him , by changing his name . Jacob signifies a supplanter . From henceforth he shall 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 ; those are truly honourable that are mighty in prayer . Having power with God , he shall have power with men too ; he shall prevail , and gain Esau 's favour . Jacob gives a new name to the place . He calls it Peniel , the face of God , because there he had seen the appearance of God , and obtained the favour of God . It becomes those whom God honours , to admire his grace towards them . The Angel who wrestled with Jacob was the second Person in the sacred Trinity , who was afterwards God manifest in the flesh , and who , dwelling in human nature , is called Immanuel , Hosea strkjv @12:4 ,5 . Jacob halted on his thigh . It might serve to keep him from being lifted up with the abundance of the revelations . The sun rose on Jacob : it is sun-rise with that soul , which has had communion with God . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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