With my staff, &c.— When this expression is properly considered, it will not be found to contradict the opinion we have advanced in our note on ch. 28: Genesis 32:5 for it simply means, "I passed this Jordan without family, or social connections, a single man, and unpossessed of wife, family, or possessions; with all which it hath pleased the Lord now so to bless me, that I, the individual who crossed the river, am become two bands." He might say this with great truth, supposing him to have been accompanied with servants and attendants from his father's house. It is very evident that Jacob had the most formidable sense of Esau's revengeful temper, from the expression he uses at the end of the 11th verse, which expression implies such an instance of cruelty, as shocks human nature; I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with, or upon the children, i.e.. lest he will totally destroy and extirpate me and mine. See Hosea 10:14.Jeremiah 13:14.
REFLECTIONS.—Justly apprehensive of Esau's old grudge, he endeavours to pacify him by a kind and humble message, acquainting him with his return, and the prosperity God had given him. Note; 1. Yielding pacifies wrath. It is often wise to make submissions to superiors, though unjustly exasperated against us. 2. Abundance, which should make a good brother rejoice, often proves to a wicked one an occasion of greater envy and displeasure.
We have in the next place,
1. The Messenger's return; and an alarming answer he brought back. Note; What would become of the poor church of Christ, if some support more than human did not attend it?
2. Jacob's fear. And reason enough he had for it. Note; (1.) Repeated trials must be expected by every Christian. (2.) There may be some fear of approaching danger, where there is yet much confidence in the promise.
3. His disposition of his family. At least one part may escape, if the other be smitten. Note; Though God hath given us his promise, we are nevertheless called to the use of all prudent means.
Jacob having now made the best disposition his circumstances would admit of, depended more, notwithstanding, on the effects of prayer, than upon the arm of flesh. Accordingly we find him pouring out his distress before God. Note; The more danger presses us, the more loud should be our cry to God; for in him is our help. A glorious prayer this was, and well worth notice: his plea is urgent, and his arguments forcible. He approaches God as his Covenant-God, as having the entail of the blessings promised to Abraham and Isaac. He pleads God's warrant for his journey, and therefore God's honour engaged for his protection. He acknowledges his own unworthiness of any favour, yet with thankfulness mentions the great mercies he had received, as an argument to hope for more. He then speaks his fears and distress from his apprehensions of Esau; and, as he had no prospect of help elsewhere, commits his cause with earnest importunity into his hand who was able to save him, and closes with the plea of God's faithfulness; not so much perhaps to remind him of his promise, as to encourage his own heart to depend upon it. Learn hence, 1. In all your trials, to spread them before the Lord. 2. To come to God as your Covenant-God, believing his readiness to hear and help you. 3. When we are in the way of our duty, we may boldly claim the fulfilment of the promises. 4. Never let us forget our own vileness and sinfulness: Nor, 5. the great and repeated mercies we have already received, that no present distress may prevent our grateful acknowledgments. 6. We cannot be too particular in our prayers, mentioning to God persons and circumstances, as to a friend who can be touched with the feeling of our distresses. 7. We should rise from our knees with full faith and confidence in the promises and faithfulness of God.