CHAP. 30.-B. C. 1747. And God rememberfoah and fry

10 That is, Judgment.

ed every cattle that was with him in the ark. Gen. 8, 1. And they rose up

and

and

22 ¶ And God remembered Rachel, and hearkened to her, and opened her womb. 23 And she conceived, and bare a son; said, God hath taken away my reproach: 24 And she called his name 11 Joseph; said, "The LORD shall add to me another son. 25 T And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.

Send

for

26 Give me my wives and my children, " for whom I have served thee, and let me go: thou knowest my service which I have done thee. 27 And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for "I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me" for thy sake.

if

28 And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.

I

in the morning early,

and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their

house to Ramah; and

Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.

p See chapter 29, 31.

1

Samuel, 1, 19.
And her adversary

also provoked sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. 1 Samuel, 1, 6. Thus hath

the Lon dealt with looked on me, to

me in the days wherein take away my reproach among men. Luke, 1,

11 That is, Adding. r And it came to pas labour, that the midnot; thou shalt have

when she was in wife said unto her, Fear this son also. Genesis,

35, 17.

29 And he said unto him, "Thou knowest how have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me. 30 For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now 12 increased unto a multi-blessed them: and Latude; and the LORD hath blessed thee 13 since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?

31 And he said, What shall I give thee? Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any If thou wilt do this thing for me, I will feed and keep thy flock:

32 I will pass through all thy flock to-day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire. 33 So shall my righteousness answer for me 14 in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.

34 And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.

his daughters, and ban departed, and reGenesis, 31, 55.

turned unto his place. came he out of the land

of the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Charran; and from thence, when his

father was dead, he redwell. "Acts, 7, 4.

moved him into this land, wherein ye now

u Sce chapter 29, 20.

And he shall be like

a tree planted by the rivers of water, that

bringeth forth his fruit and whatsoever with dr. 1,3 All that see them that they are the seed

in his season; his leaf he do

eth shall prosper. Psalm shall acknowledge them which the LORD hath blessed. Isaiah, 61, 9. w And the LORD ap

peared unto him the

same night, and said, I

am

thy father: fear not, for I am with thee multiply thy seed for Bake Genesis, 26, 24.

will bless thee, and

my servant Abraham's

x See chapter 29, 15. y Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

house furnished, and her table spread. Her precious fruits offer themselves to be gathered by the hands of little children. It is a laudable custom of the devout Jews, when they find pleasure, suppose in eating an apple, to lift up their hearts, and say, "Blessed be he that made this fruit pleasant!" Or, in smelling a flower, "Blessed be he that made this flower sweet." Some think these mandrakes were jessamine flowers; whatever they were, Rachel could not see them in Leah's hands, into which the child had brought them, but she must covet them. She cannot bear the want of these pretty flowers, but, at any rate, she will purchase them. Note, There may be great sin and folly in the inordinate desire of a small thing. Leah takes this advantage, (as Jacob had of Esau's coveting his red pottage,) to obtain that which was justly due to her, but which Rachel would not otherwise have consented to. Note, Strong passions often thwart one another, and those cannot but be continually uneasy, that are hurried by them.-H.

-H.

DESIRE FOR CHILDREN.-The learned Bishop Patrick very well suggests here, that the true reason of this contest between Jacob's wives for his company, and their giving of him their maids to be his wives, was, the earnest desire they had to fulfil the promise made to Abraham, (and now lately renewed to Jacob,) that his seed should be as the stars of heaven for multitude, and that in one Seed of his, the Messiah, all the nations of the earth should be blessed. And he thinks it had been below the dignity of this sacred history, to take such particular notice of these things, if there had not been some such great consideration in them. HOME SICK.-Jacob's term being expired, he begs leave to begone, v. 25. Observe, 1. He retained his affection for the land of Canaan, not only because it was the land of his nativity, and his father and mother were there, whom he longed to see; but because it was the land of promise, and in token of his dependence upon the promise of it; though he sojourn in Haran, he can by no means think of settling there. Thus should we be affected towards our heavenly country, looking upon ourselves as strangers here, viewing the heavenly country as our home, and longing to be there, as soon as the days of our service upon earth are numbered and finished. We must not think of taking root here, for this is not our place and country, Heb. 13, 14. 2. He was desirous to go to Canaan, though he had a great family to take with him, and no provision yet made for them. He had got wives and children with Laban, but nothing else; yet he does not solicit Laban to give him either a portion with his wives, or the maintenance of some of his children. No, all his request is, Give me my wives and my children, and send me away, v. 25, 26. Note, Those that trust in God, and in his providence and promise, though they have great families and small incomes, can cheerfully hope that he who sends mouths will send meat.

Jacob's policy to become rich.

35 And he removed that day the he-goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the shegoats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.

36 And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.

37¶ And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chestnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.

38 And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.

39 And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, man was the greatest of and spotted.

household; so that this

all the men of the east. Job, 1, 3.

e And Abram was very

40 And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set rich in cattle, in silver, the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked and in gold. Genesis, 13, great, and went for 2. And the man waxed and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and ward, and grew until he he put his own flocks by themselves, and put had possession of flocks, them not unto Laban's cattle.

became very great; forhe and possession of herds, and great store of ser

vants: and the Philistines envied him. GeCHAP. 31.-B. C. 1739.

26, 13, 14.

a For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy

Job, 5, 2 A sound heart

41 And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.

slayeth the silly one. 42 But when the cattle were feeble, he put the life of the flesh: them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and

is

but envy the rottenness

of the bones. Proverbs,

14, 30. Again, I consi- the stronger Jacob's.

dered all travail, and

every right work, that

for this a man is envied

of

is also vanity and vexa

43 And the man dincreased exceedingly, and

e

his neighbour. This had much cattle, and maid-servants, and mention of spirit. Eccles. Servants, and camels, and asses.

4, 4. Let us walk hon

in

rioting and drunk

enness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envy

CHAPTER XXXI

ing. Romans, 13, 131 Jacob departeth secretly from Laban: 19 Rachel stealeth away her father's images. 22 Laban pursueth Jacob: 44 their covenant at Galeed.

ruly evil, full of deadly

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an un

poison. James, 3, & b Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased. Ps. 49, 16.

ND he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that But unto Cain and to was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory.

his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. Gen. 4, 5.

c

2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of

He who feeds the brood of the ravens will not starve the seed of the righteous. -H. JACOB'S POLICY.-Ver. 37-42. Jacob's conduct in this transaction has commonly been considered, as an instance of his policy and management; and it has by many been objected to, by others vindicated and commended. But, as the means, which he used, would not in general produce similar effects, nay, probably the experiment was never in any other instance tried with success: so, it is more reasonable to suppose, that he was directed by some Divine intimation; and rendered successful, if not by a direct miracle, yet at least by the Lord's giving a new and uncommon bias to the tendency of natural causes. (Note, xxxi, 10-13.)-S.

FAITHFULNESS OF GOD.-Ver. 25-43. The Lord is ever ready to hear the prayer of faith, and to forgive the transgression of his people; and he graciously recompenses and honours their integrity and faithful industry. He convinces all, with whom they are connected, that he hath loved them, and that he blesses others on their account: so that it is not uncommon for those, who love neither them nor their religion, to value them from interested motives; and to desire to employ them in preference to others: and "all who name the name of Christ" should, for the honour of his gospel, be ambitious of this distinction.-The Lord will also, in one way or other, plead the cause of the injured and oppressed; and honour those who simply trust his providence, avoid evil and the appearance of it, and walk so wisely, as to give no occasion of reproach to those who manifestly are seeking it. And, as the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof," he hath an indisputable right to dispose of every one's property as he pleases; and who shall dare to find fault with his appointments?-S.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.-Ver. 1-24. When eminent persons sanction anything evil by their example, the consequences are often durably pernicious; because it is far more easy to imitate the misconduct of those whom we esteem, than to copy their faith and obedience. And when we tread their devious footsteps, it is natural for us to go further than they did: nay, we are apt to think ourselves authorized, or at least excused, in so doing. What an unhappy precedent was Sarah, to Rachel; and Leah and Abraham, to Jacob! We are grieved to see this plain man, in his old age, yielding to one suggestion after another to multiply wives; though by that means he multiplied bitter envy and contention in his family. This "his way was his folly;" though many of his posterity approved and imitated his example.-To carry matters even between two wives, who have an equal claim to affection, is almost, if not utterly, impossible: and to fail of it, ensures emulation and strife, and may even perpetuate discord to posterity. How much more comfortably did Isaac live with Rebekah, according to God's primary institution, than Jacob with his two wives and their handmaids!-Envy

9 Thus God hath taken away the cattle your father, and given them to me.

of

the

i have spoken to thee Jacob said, O God and God of my father saidst unto me, Return the kindred, and see verse 2

unto thy country,

I

deal well with thee. Genesis, 32, 9.

g Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not

dismayed; for I am thy God: Iwill strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will

uphold thee with the eousness. Isa. 41, 10. see verse 41. speck-which have seen my

right hand of my right

10 And it came to pass at the time that cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the 2 rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, led, and grisled.

I.

and

11 And" the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: and I said, Here am 12 And he said, Lift up now thine eyes see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.

13 I am the God of Beth-el, P where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred. 14 And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him," Is there yet any portion or tance for us in our father's house?

h See chapter 30, 29. all those men

glory, and my miracles which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, these ten times, and my voice. Numbers, k He suffered no man

have tempted me now have not hearkened to

14, 22

to

do them wrong: yea, their sakes. Ps. 105, 14.

he reproved kings for

7 See chapter 30, 32.

m See verses 1, 16.

20r, he-goats.

n The Angel which re

evil, bless the lads.

deemed me from all Genesis, 48, 16. And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people, which are in Egypt, inheri-ery by reason of their

and have heard their

for know their sorrows. Exodus, 3, 7. early

in the morning,

and jealousy are most tormenting passions to the breast which harbours them, vexatious to all around, and introductory to much impatience and ungodliness; observing, therefore, how absurd and odious they appear in Rachel, we should watch and pray against them in ourselves; and turn aside from all such objects and pursuits as tend to excite them.-Too frequently, they who possess the most beautiful countenances, are lamentably deficient in "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit; which is in the sight of God," and of all wise men, of much greater value; and partial affections are often corrected by the persons on whom they are misplaced. They who are angry only at sin, and express that anger by reasonable, though sharp, rebukes, and with zeal for the honour of God, are not sinfully angry: nor must those whom we love best be connived at in wickedness.Our natural conscience is a partial and erroneous judge, and, if left to itself, will often excuse, nay, commend, our very faults: we ought therefore to seek to the word, and pray for the Spirit, of God, to illuminate our understandings, and deliver our consciences from mistake and self-flattery.-S. CHAP. XXXI. RICHES.-Riches are glorious things in the eyes of carnal people, while to all those that are conversant with heavenly things, they have no glory in comparison with the glory which excelleth. Men's over valuing worldly wealth, is that fundamental error which is the root of covetousness, envy, and all evil. How basely Laban's sons reflect upon Jacob's fidelity, as if what he had, he had not gotten honestly; Jacob has taken away all that was our father's. Not all, sure. What was become of those cattle which were committed to the custody of Laban's sons, and sent three days' journey off? ch. 30, 35, 36. They mean all that was committed to him; but, speaking invidiously, they express themselves thus generally. Note, 1. Those that are ever so careful to keep a good conscience, yet cannot always be sure of a good name. 2. This is one of the vanities and vexations which attend outward prosperity, that it makes a man to be envied of his neighbour; (Eccl. 4, 4:) and who can stand before envy? Prov. 27, 4. Whom heaven blesses, hell curses, and all its children on earth.-H. A CHURL-Laban himself said little, but his countenance was not toward Jacob as it used to be; and Jacob could not but take notice of it, v. 2, 5. He was but a churl at the best, but now he was more churlish than formerly. Note, envy is a sin that often appears in the countenance; hence we read of an evil eye, Prov. 23, 6. Sour looks may do a great deal toward the ruin of peace and love in a family, and the making of those uneasy whose comfort we ought to be tender of. Laban's angry countenance lost him the greatest blessing his family ever had, and justly.-H. DIVINE DIRECTION.-Jacob resolved by divine direction, and under the convoy of a promise; (v. 3,) The Lord said unto Jacob, Return, and I will be with thec. Though Jacob had met with very hard usage here, yet he would not quit his place, till God bid him. He came thither by orders from heaven, and there he would stay, till he was ordered back. Note, it is our duty to set ourselves, and it will be our comfort to see ourselves under God's guidance, both in our going out, and in our coming in. The direction he had from heaven, is more fully related in the account he gives of it to his wives, (v. 10-13,) where he tells them of a dream he had about his cattle, and the wonderful increase of those of his colour;

man Micah had an

an ephod, and teraphim, his sons, who became

19 And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the 3 images that were her

his priest. Judges, 17, father's.

5. For the king of Ba

bylon stood at the parthead of the two ways

ing of the way, at the

20 And Jacob stole away 4 unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled. 21 So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and "set his Then Jacob said unto face toward the mount Gilead. his household, and to

to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver. Ezekiel, 21, 21.

all that were with him, Put away the strange

Fou, and be clean, and

change your garments. Genesis, 35, 2

4 the heart of Laban.

And he sent Judah before him unto Josen

to direct his face unto Goshen; and they came into the land of Goshen. Genesis, 46, 28.

And Abram said unto strife, I pray thee, be

Lot, Let there be no

22 And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.

23 And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.

24 And God" came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob 5 either good or bad. 25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and In a dream, in a vi- Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.

tween me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for sis, 13, 8.

we be brethren. Gene

sion of the night, when

deep sleep falleth upon

men, in slumberings

15.

upon the bed. Job, 33, 26 And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou Then Laban and done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to

Bethuel answered and

said, proceed

eth from the LORD: we me, and carried away my daughters, as capcannot speak unto 1,50 tives taken with the sword?

bad or good. Gen. 34, 50. b from good to bad.

6 hast stolen me.

women captives, that

27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, And had taken the and 6 steal away from me; and didst not tell were therein; they slew me, that I might have sent thee away with small, but carried them mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?

not any, either great or away, and went on

and how the angel of God, in that dream, (for I suppose the dream spoken of, v. 10, and that v. 11, to be the same,) took notice of the workings of his fancy in his sleep, and instructed him, that it was not by chance, nor by his own policy, that he obtained that great advantage.-H.

THE GOD OF BETHEL.-Ver. 10-13. It has before been supposed, that Jacob had some previous divine intimation, suggesting the plan which he adopted respecting the cattle: (Note, xxx, 37-42:) but the dream, which he here relates to Rachel and Leah, seems to have taken place towards the close of his service. Thus he accounted to them for the rapid increase of his flocks, and introduced the subsequent proposal, in which he made known to them the will of God, and the justice of his cause; that by thus appealing to them, and consulting with them, he might obtain their willing acquiescence. The Lord himself pointed out the circumstance concerning the colour of the rams, that Jacob might ascribe his success to the Divine blessing, and possess his substance with a thankful heart and a quiet conscience, regardless of the unmerited anger of Laban and his sons. -The language of the passage is worthy of peculiar attention: "The Angel of God spake."-"I am the God of Bethel." The supposition of some learned men, that the angel spake as an ambassador, in the name of God, is extremely unreasonable: for what ambassador, when representing his principal, ever said, 'I am the king? Would not such language be a claim to the honour due only to his sovereign?-The Jewish expositors, and some others, imagine, that on such occasions there was a glorious appearance of JEHOVAH, distinct from the angel: but were there two speakers in this instance? Nothing can be plainer, than that he, who is called "The Angel," said "I am the God of Bethel."-Repeated instances of this kind continually augment the evidence, that the speaker was no other than the Word and Son of God, who "was God, and with God," but now condescended to be the angel, or messenger, of the Father to men; as he afterwards did in human nature to "take upon him the form of a servant. Yet in both manifestations of himself he could say: "He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father; for I and the Father are One."-The title, "the God of Beth-el," would be peculiarly encouraging to Jacob. Ver. 15-16. Laban, instead of providing for his daughters, had sold them as strangers and slaves for the increase of his wealth, which he spent entirely on himself and his sons. But God had provided for them, by giving Laban's substance to Jacob; and they acknowledged his hand in it, and were well satisfied. The conduct of Leah and Rachel, in this particular, does not appear reprehensible: they could not have concurred with Laban, without neglecting their duty to a still nearer relation; and preferring the cause of an idolater, and an unjust man, to that of Jacob, the approved servant of God. What they said was private, and in conjugal confidence; and so did not dishonour Laban.-S.

HOUSEHOLD-GODS. - Rachel was not so honest as her husband; she stole her father's images, (v. 19,) and carried them away with her. The Hebrew calls them Teraphim. Some think they were only little representations of the ancestors of the family, in statues or pictures, which Rachel had a particular fondness for, and was desirous to have with her, now that she was going into another country. It should rather seem, they were images for a religious use, Penates, HouseholdGods, either worshipped or consulted as oracles; and we are willing to hope (with

me.

e

32 With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them. 33 And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maid-servants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat them. And Laban 7 searched all the tent, but found them not.

upon

35 And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot frise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images. 36 And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?

37 Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both. 38 This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she-goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. 39 That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.

40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.

The covenant at Galeed. CHAP. 31.-B. C. 1730. I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

shall

30, 2

And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but

have unto her. Ruth, 1, 11. And he left pray thee, kiss

make restitution unto

dus, 22, 12

Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service

my father and my mo ther, and then I will follow thee. 1 Kings,

19, 20. And they all And they all Paul's neck, and kissed

wept sore, and fell on

him. Acts, 20, 37.

a And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the command

God, which he com

which thou shalt serve Jar Genesis, 29, 27. If it had not been the side, now may Israel

m See verse 7.

LORD who was on our

say; if it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose Psalm up against us. 124, 1, 2

o Sanctify the LORD of

hosts himself; and let

him be your fear, and Isaiah, 8, 13.

42 Except "the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.

43 T And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and him be your dread. these children are my children, and these cattle And the LORD said, are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: affliction of my people and what can I do this day unto these my and have heard their daughters, or unto their children which they taskmasters; for I know have born?

16,9.

I have surely seen the

which are in Egypt,

cry by reason of their

their sorrows. Ex. 3, 7. q Yet Michael the archangel, when con

he disputed about the tending with the devil, body of Moses, durst

not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. Jude, 9.

And they said, We

saw certainly that the LORD was with thee: and we said, Let there

be

now an oath betwixt thee, and let us make

us, even betwixt us and covenant with thee. Genesis, 26, 28.

8 And Joshua said unto

all the people, Behold,

a

this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words

spake unto us: it shall of the LORD which he be therefore a witness

unto you, lest ye deny your God. Josh. 24, 27. t And Jacob rose up and took the stone that

44 Now therefore come thou, "let us make a Covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.

45 And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.

46 And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.

47 And Laban called it 9Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it 10 Galeed.

48 And Laban said, "This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;

49 And 11 Mizpah; "for he said, The LORD watch early in the morning, between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.

he had put for his pil

lows, and set up for a pillar, and poured oil 28, 18.

upon the top of it. Gen. 9 That is, The heap of 10 That is, The heap of

witness.-Chald.

witness.-Heb.

u And Joshua said

unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for

50 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives besides my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.

51 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, hath heard all the and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt which he spake unto us: me and thee;

it

words of the

Behold, here I am: fore the LORD, and be or whose ass have defrauded? whom have whose hand have I reblind mine eyes there

taken? or whom have I

I oppressed? or of ceived any bribe to and will restore it you. 1 Sam. 12,3. j If a man deliver unto

his neighbour an ass,

or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it, etc. Exodus, 22, 10.

41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; And if it be stolen

Bishop Patrick) that she did not take them away as being covetous of the rich metal they were made of, much less for her own use, or out of any superstitious fear lest Laban, by consulting his Teraphim, might know which way they were gone.-H. CONSCIENCE DURING SLEEP.-God comes to Jacob, and with one word ties his hands, though he does not turn his heart. Note, 1. In a dream, and in slumberings upon the bed, God has ways of opening the ears of men, and sealing their instruction, Job, 33, 15, 16. Thus he admonishes men by their consciences, in secret whispers, which the man of wisdom will hear and heed. 2. The safety of good men is very much owing to the hold God has of the consciences of bad men, and the access he has to them. 3. God sometimes appears wonderfully for the deliverance of his people, then when they are upon the very brink of ruin. The Jews were saved from Haman's plot, when the king's decree drew near to be put in execution, Esth. 9, 1.-H.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.-Ver. 1-21. How particularly are the affairs of these families related, while the great events of states and kingdoms are passed over in silence, and buried in obscurity! Indeed, the Bible is intended to teach people the duties of common life; and how to serve God, enjoy comfort, and do good, in their several stations and relations: and but very few are concerned in the government of empires, compared with the numbers who support the characters of parents and children, husbands and wives, masters and servants.-The selfish think themselves robbed of all, which others obtain from them, however justly; and covetousness destroys even natural affection. Yet, those objects, which the men of the world count "all their glory," are so scanty, that, in the pursuit or possession of them, they stand in each other's way, and every one seems to be taking from the rest: hence discontent, envy, and discord. But there are possessions of such extent, as amply to suffice for all: happy they who seek them in the first place!-We may, however, thankfully receive, and cheerfully use, the portion which Providence allots us, as far as we obtain it with a clear conscience, and a testimony in the consciences of others to our fidelity and integrity: and even if men should hate and criminate us without reason, yet, when our ways please the LORD," he will plead our cause, and "make our very enemies to be at peace with us:" he will vindicate our characters, do us justice, and over

27.

11 That is, A beacon, And Samuel said, Mizer, and I will pray

or, watch tower.

for you unto the LORD. 1 Samuel, 7, 5.

w Now therefore swear

unto me here by God,

that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness

52 This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.

53 The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob w sware by the Fear of his father Isaac. 54 Then Jacob 12 offered sacrifice upon the that I have done unto mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.

thee, thou shalt do unto

me, and to the land

wherein thou hast sojourned. Gen. 21, 23, 13 Or, killed beasts.

rule every event for our good.-In all our removals we should have respect to the command, promise, and providence of God: and if he be with us, we need not fear in the most dangerous circumstances. Indeed, so many are the perils with which we are surrounded, that nothing else can reasonably ensure our safety, or encourage our hearts.-The remembrance of favoured seasons of communion with God, is very refreshing to us when embarrassed in difficulties; and the recollection of our vows should be frequent, that we may not fail to fulfil them.-S. A GOOD SERVANT.-Jacob had approved himself such a one, v. 38, . . 40. 1. He was very careful, so that, through his oversight or neglect, the ewes did not cast their young. His piety also procured a blessing upon his master's effects that were under his hands. Note, Servants should take no less care of what they are intrusted with for their masters, than if they were entitled to it as their own. 2. He was very honest, and took none of that for his own eating which was not allowed him. He contented himself with mean fare, and coveted not to feast upon the rams of the flock. Note, Servants must not be dainty in their food, nor covet what is forbidden them, but, in that and other instances, shew all good fidelity. 3. He was very laborious, v. 40. He stuck to his business all weathers, and bore both heat and cold with invincible patience. Note, Men of business, that intend to make something of it, must resolve to endure hardness. Jacob is here an example to ministers; they also are shepherds, of whom it is required that they be true to their trust, and willing to take pains.-H.

A HARD MASTER.-Laban had been such a one to Jacob. Those are bad masters, 1. Who exact from their servants that which is unjust, by obliging them to make good that which is not damaged by any default of their's. This Laban did, v. 39. Nay, if there has been a neglect, yet it is unjust to punish above the proportion of the fault. That may be an inconsiderable damage to the master, which would go near to ruin a poor servant. 2. Those also are bad masters, who deny to their servants that which is just and equal. This Laban did, v. 41. It was unreasonable for him to make Jacob serve for his daughters, when he had in reversion so great an estate secured to him by the promise of God himself; as it was also to give him his daughters without portions, when it was in the power of his hands to do well for them. Thus he robbed the poor because he was poor, as he did also by changing his wages.-H.

3 And Jacob sent messengers before him Esau his brother, unto the land of Seir, country of Edom.

4 And he commanded them, saying, shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with and stayed there until now:

e

Thus servant Laban,

no, not so much as
have given mount Seir

unto for a posses-
sion. Deut. 2, 5.
2 field.

A soft answer turngrievous words stir up

eth away wrath; but anger. Proverbs, 15, 1.

And the man inand had much cattle, men-mels, and asses. Gen.

creased exceedingly,

5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and servants, and women-servants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that "I may find grace in thy sight. 6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred with him.

7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and tressed: and he divided the people that with him, and the flocks, and herds, and camels, into two bands;

men

and maid-servants, and men-servants, and ca

30, 43.

And she said, Let grace in thy sight. So

thine handmaid find

the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. 1 Sam. 1, 18. h See chapter 33, 1.

i Let us arise, and go up to Beth-el; and I will make there

an altar

unto God, who answer

me in the day of my

distress, and was with

dis-ed

was

the

went. Genesis, 35, 3.

I

me in the way which And when Pharaoh

drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched af

my master of his mercy and his truth. Genesis, 21, 27.

Though thy begin

ning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. Job, 8, 7.

Deliver me from mine fend me from them that

enemies, O my God: de

the

rise up against me. Deliver me from workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men. Psalm 59, 1, 2.

Therefore shall a tu. people, and all thy for

mult arise among thy

tresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman

Beth-arbel in the day

of

battle: the mother was

dashed in pieces upon

her children. Hosea,

10, 14

4 upon.

And thy seed shall be

as the dust of the earth; and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and

to the east, and to the

north, and to the south:

seed shall all the fami

His present to him

11 Deliver 2 me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and "the mother 4 with the children.

12 And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

13¶ And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;

14 Two hundred she-goats, and twenty hegoats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams, 15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she-asses, and ten foals. 16 And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before put a space betwixt drove and drove.

17 And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose art thou? and whither goest thou? and whose are these before thee? 18 Then thou shalt say, They be thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.

19 And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying,

and in thee and in thy On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when lies of the earth be blessye find him.

favour, and lendeth: he with discretion. Psalm 112, 5. Discretion shall

will guide his affairs

preserve thee, understanding shall keepthee.

Proverbs, 2, 11. For his

God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him. Isa. 28, 26.

Call upon me in the deliver thee, and thou

day of trouble: I will shalt glorify me. Psalm

50, 15. LORD stood above it,

And, behold, the and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God

A KIND PROVIDENCE.-God took cognizance of the wrong done to Jacob, and repaid him whom Laban would otherwise have sent empty away, and rebuked Laban, who otherwise would have swallowed him up. Note, God is the Patron of the oppressed; and those who are wronged and yet not ruined, cast down and yet not destroyed, must acknowledge him in their preservation, and give him the glory of it. Observe, 1. Jacob speaks of God, as the God of his father, intimating that he thought himself unworthy to be thus regarded, but was beloved for the father's sake. 2. He calls him the God of Abraham, and the Fear of Isaac: for Abraham was dead, and gone to that world where perfect love casts out fear; but Isaac was yet alive, sanctifying the Lord in his heart, as his Fear and his Dread.-H. CHAP. XXXII. ANGELS.-Here is Jacob's convoy in his journey, v. 1. The angels of God met him, in a visible appearance, whether in a vision by day, or in a dream by night, as when he saw them upon the ladder, (ch. 28, 12,) is uncertain. Note, Those that keep in a good way, have always a good guard; angels themselves are ministering spirits for their safety, Hebrews, 1, 14. Where Jacob pitched his tents, they pitched their's about him, Psalm 34, 7. They met him, to bid him welcome to Canaan again; a more honourable reception this was, than ever any prince had, that was met by the magistrates of a city in their formalities. They met him, to congratulate him on his arrival, and particularly on his escape from Laban; for they have pleasure in the prosperity of God's servants. They had invisibly attended him all along, but now they appeared to him, because he had greater dangers before him than those he had hitherto encountered. Note, When God designs his people for extraordinary trials, he prepares them by extraordinary comforts. We should think it had been more seasonable for those angels to have appeared to him amidst the perplexity and agitation occasioned first by Laban, and afterward by Esau, than in this calm and quiet interval, when he saw not himself in any imminent peril; but God will have us, when we are in peace, to provide for trouble, and when trouble comes, to live upon former observations and experiences; for we walk by faith, not by sight. God's people, at death, are returning to Canaan, to their Father's house; and then the angels of God will meet them, to congratulate them on the happy finishing of their servitude, and to carry them to their rest.-H. MEEKNESS.-Jacob humbly acknowledges his own unworthiness to receive any favour from God, (v. 10,) I am not worthy; it is an unusual plea. Some would think he should have pleaded that what was now in danger was his own, against all the world, and that he had earned it dear enough; no, he pleads, Lord, I am not worthy of it. Note, Self-denial and self-abasement will become us in all our addresses to the throne of grace. Christ never commended any of his petitioners so much as him who said, Lord, I am not worthy, (Matth. 8, 8,) and her

great men. Proverbs,

18, 16.

A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a reward

in

the bosom strong

wrath. Proverbs,

5 my face.

And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the

valley, and the border bok, which is the border mon. Deut. 3, 16. 6 caused to pass. 7 ascending of the morning.

river Arnon half the

even unto the river Jab

of the children of Am

22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two women-servants, and his eleven sons, and " passed over the ford Jabbok. 23 And he took them, and 6 sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.

24 And Jacob was left alone; and there Wrestled a man with him until the 7 breaking of the day.

25 And when he saw that he prevailed not

who said, Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table, Matth. 15, 27. Now observe here, 1. How magnificently and honourably he speaks of the mercies of God to him. We have here, mercies, in the plural number, an inexhaustible spring, and innumerable streams; mercies and truth, that is, past mercies given according to the promise, and further mercies secured by the promise. Note, What is laid up in God's truth, as well as what is laid out in God's mercies, is the matter both of the comforts, and the praises, of active believers. Nay, observe, it is all the mercies, and all the truth: the manner of expression is copious, and intimates that his heart was full of God's goodness. 2. How meanly and humbly he speaks of himself, disclaiming all thought of his own merit. "I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies, much less am I worthy of so great a favour as this I am now suing for." Jacob was a considerable man, and, upon many accounts, very deserving, and, in treating with Laban, had justly insisted on his merits, but not before God. I am less than all thy mercies; so the word is. Note, The best and greatest of men are utterly unworthy of the least favour from God, and must be ready to own it upon all occasions. It was the excellent Mr. Herbert's motto, Less than the least of all God's mercies. Those are best prepared for the greatest mercies, that see themselves unworthy of the least.-H.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. Ver. 1-12. Though we cannot behold the angels meeting us, and, as the host of God, encamping round us; yet, possessing that "faith which is the evidence of things not seen," we may have a full and comfortable assurance that they actually do so. And we need to be encouraged, not only by expecting the guardianship of angels, but by a firm reliance on the protection of the God of angels, to render us secure and happy in such a world as this; where victory in one conflict only reminds us to arm for another; and deliverance from one trouble or danger, to prepare for further suffering. Yet, frequently our severest trials result from former transgressions, and call them to our remembrance for our deeper humiliation.-Prudent precautions may and ought to be employed, by those who simply trust in God; and to neglect them is to tempt him: nor are any means more proper to disarm resentment, especially that of proud and worldly men, than humble respectful language, and relinquishing the objects of contention. Yet these are but means; and unless God arrest and influence the heart, they cannot subdue the power of jealousy and revenge.—In times of urgent danger, the strongest faith and repeated assurances will not entirely exclude terror and distress; but they will put life and vigour into humble fervent prayer, and enable us to plead the promises, to remember former mercies and deliverances, and, in the path of unreserved obedience, so to leave ourselves in the Lord's hands, as shall ensure protection, and restore peace to our souls.-S. PRAYERS AND PAINS.-Jacob, having piously made God his Friend by a

Meeting of Jacob

against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh;

and the hollow" of Jacob's thigh was out of ye enter not into tempjoint as he wrestled with him.

26 And he said, Let me go, for the day

CHAP. 32-B. C. 1739w Watch and pray,that tation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Mat. 26, 41. And they drew nigh unto the village,whither they and he

breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, though he would

except thou bless me.

27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

have gone further. Luke, 24, 29.

Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto found him in

Beth-el, and there he

spake with us. Hosea,

dodat is, A prince of

CHAP. 33.-B. C. 1739. given me in this place. them, I pray thee, unto

them. Genesis, 48, 9. Lo, children are heritage of the LORD:

an

and the fruit of the

womb is his reward. Psalm 127, 3.

2 What is all this band to thee?

and Esau.

women and the children; and said, Who are

e

And he said, Bring those with thee? And he said, The children me, and I will bless which God hath graciously given thy servant. 6 Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves: 7 And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves. 8 And he said, 2 What meanest thou by fall this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of lord. my 9 And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; heaven. Matthew, 18, 10. my Father which is in 3 keep that thou hast unto thyself.

had power over Hosea, 12, 3, 4.

29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, had power with God: and by his strength he And he said, Where-theangel, and prevailed. I pray thee, thy name. fore is it that thou dost ask after my name? a And Jacob said, Sell And he blessed him there.

me this day thy birthright. Genesis, 25, 31. And Isaac trembled

said, Who? where is he

exceedingly, and that hath taken veni.

son, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea,

and he shall be blessed.

Genesis, 27, 33.

b And the angel of the LORD said unto him,

why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it &That is, The face

is Judges, 13, 18. God.

this day that God doth liveth. Deut. 5, 24. CHAP. 33.-B. C. 1739.

talk with man, and he

a See chapter 32, 6.

b And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him;

and, when he saw them,

he ran to meet
from the tent door, and

howed himself toward

the ground. Gen. 18, 2 c See chapter 32, 28.

bow-d And he fell upon he neck and wept; and

his brother Benjamin's

4 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.

5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the prayer, is here prudently endeavouring to make Esau his friend by a present. He had prayed to God to deliver him from the hand of Esau, for he feared him; but neither did his fear sink into such a despair as dispirits for the use of means, nor did his prayer make him presume upon God's mercy, without the use of means. Note, When we have prayed to God for any mercy, we must second our prayers with our endeavours; else, instead of trusting God, we tempt him; we must so depend upon God's providence as to make use of our own prudence. "Help thyself, and God will help thee;" God answers our prayers by teaching us to order our affairs with discretion. To pacify Esau, Jacob sent him a very noble present, not of jewels or fine garments, (he had them not,) but of cattle, to the number of 580 in all, v. 13–15. Note, 1. We must not despair of reconciling ourselves even to those that have been most exasperated against us; we ought not to judge men unappeasable, till we have tried to appease them. 2. Peace and love, though purchased dear, will prove a good bargain to the purchaser. Many a morose ill-natured man would have said, in Jacob's case, Esau has vowed my death without cause, and he shall never be a farthing the better for me; I will see him far enough before I will send him a present:" but Jacob forgives and forgets.-H. IMPORTUNATE PRAYER.-Jacob persists in his holy importunity; I will not let thee go, except thou bless me; whatever becomes of his family and journey, he resolves to make the best he can of this opportunity, and not to lose the advantage of his victory: he does not mean to wrestle all night for nothing, but humbly resolves he will have a blessing, and rather shall all his bones be put out of joint, than he will go away without one. The credit of a conquest will do him no good without the comfort of a blessing. In begging this blessing, he owns his inferiority, though he seemed to have the upper hand in the struggle; for the less is blessed of the better. Note, Those that would have the blessing of Christ, must be in good earnest, and be importunate for it, as those that resolve to have no denial. It is the fervent prayer that is the effectual prayer.-H. TRIUMPHANT PRAYER.-The angel puts a perpetual mark of honour upon Jacob, by changing his name; (v. 27, 28.) "Thou art a brave combatant," (says the angel,) "a man of heroic resolution; What is thy name?" "Jacob," says he, a supplanter; so Jacob signifies: "Well," says the angel, "be thou never so called any more; henceforth thou shalt 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, and those are truly honourable that are mighty in prayer, Israels, Israelites indeed. Jacob is here knighted in the field, as it were, and has a title of honour given him by him that is the Fountain of honour, which will remain, to his praise, to the end of time. Yet this was not all: having power with God, he shall have power with men too. Having prevailed for a blessing from heaven, he shall, no doubt, prevail for Esau's favour. Note, Whatever enemies

12 And he said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee.

13 And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me; and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die. 14 Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant; and I will lead on softly, according 5 as the cattle that goeth before me and the me find favour in thy children be able to endure, until I come unto thou hast comforted my lord unto Seir.

THE ANGEL OF THE COVENANT.-Ver. 30. He who appeared to Jacob was before called a Man, yet here he is called GOD. The prophet Hosea calls him "the angel,". ‚"-" even JEHOVAH, the God of hosts, "JEHOVAH is his memorial;" and says, that "Jacob wept, and made supplication to him." (Notes, Hos. xii, 3-5.) We cannot, therefore, reasonably doubt the sentiments of Jacob, of Moses, and of Hosea, concerning him who now wrestled with Jacob, and surnamed him Israel. And the Scriptures referred to in the margin, if carefully examined and compared, will have a powerful tendency to convince the impartial enquirer, that he could be no other than the eternal Son of God, by these appearances anticipating his incarnation. It is, indeed, asserted by the Rabbinical expositors, and from them adopted by some learned men, that the SHECHINAH, or visible glory of God, of which the attendant angels constituted a part, was displayed on this occasion, as well as on all others recorded of a similar kind; and that these expressions and the language often used by the angel who appeared, are to be thus accounted for.-But there seems no scriptural ground for this sentiment; and it was probably first devised to answer the arguments taken from such passages, by the ancient Christian writers, for the deity of the predicted Messiah, and the doctrine of the Trinity; though it has been since espoused by many who profess those doctrines. The word SHECHINAH is not found in Scripture, but only in the Rabbinical Hebrew. It signifies merely a habitation; but it is used to denote all those appearances by which the special presence of JEHOVAH was announced. It is readily allowed, that a visible glory of this kind afterwards appeared to Moses and to Israel; and perhaps in the holy of holies, both of the tabernacle and temple, above the mercy seat. Ex. xiii, 21, 22; xiv, 19-24; xvi, 10; xxxiii, 7-11, 18-23; xl, 34-38; Num. xii, 4, 5; xiv, 10; xvi, 19, 42; 1 Kings viii, 10, 11.—S.

CHAP. XXXIII. OUR SUFFICIENCY.-What needeth it? 1. Jacob is humble, and needs it not for state; he desires not to make a fair shew in the flesh, by encumbering himself with a needless retinue. Note, It is the vanity of pomp and grandeur, that they are attended with a great deal, of which it may be said, What needeth it? 2. Jacob is under the divine protection, and needs it not for safety. Note, Those are sufficiently guarded, that have God for their Guard, and are under a convoy of his hosts, as Jacob was. They need not be beholden to an arm of flesh, that have God for their Arm every morning. Jacob adds, "Only let me find grace in the sight of my lord; having thy favour, I have all I need, all I desire from thee." If Jacob thus valued the good-will of a brother, much more reason have we to reckon that we have enough, if we have the good-will of our God.-H.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.-When we have poured out our souls before the Lord in fervent prayer, we are prepared to meet dangers and difficulties with