Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Genesis Ch.32 / 50 Ch.s
GE:32
* Jacob's vision at Mahanaim, His fear of Esau. (1-8) Jacob's
earnest prayer for deliverance, He prepares a present for Esau.
(9-23) He wrestles with the Angel. (24-32)
#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, #Ec 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.
#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, #Re
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.
#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, #Ho 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.