And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved [of my children], I am bereaved.
Ver. 14. And God Almighty give you mercy.] Heb., Give you bowels, the seat of mercy. Here God not only grants Jacob's prayer, but fulfils his counsel, gives him the very particular he prays for. Gen 43:30 Joseph's "bowels yearned upon Benjamin."
If I be bereaved, I am bereaved.] This is like that of Esther, committing herself and her attempt to God, "If I perish, I perish"; Est 4:16 and like that of those saints in the Acts, "The will of the Lord be done"; which is, saith one, Vox vere Christianorum. Jacob prays for Benjamin's safety, but will be content his own will be crossed, so that God's will may be accomplished. This is the right way of praying; this is to "draw near with a true heart." Heb 10:22 Hypocrites seek God only out of self-love; which is as little pleasing to him, as if a woman should strive to content her husband, not out of love to him, but to another.