Genesis 32

Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been. Though he was a godly patriarch, though he had met with God (Genesis 32:30). He named the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face: yet he had his troubles few and evil, etc.

Christ's intercession must needs be effectual, if you consider, (1.) The excellency of his person; if the prayer of a saint be so prevalent with God: Moses's prayer did bind God's hands (Exodus 32:10): Let me alone; and Jacob as a prince prevailed with God (Genesis 32:28); and E…

An affliction comes to prevent falling into sin, there is mercy in the affliction. Jacob had his thigh hurt in wrestling, there was the affliction; but then he saw God's face, and received a blessing from the angel (Genesis 32:30). There was mercy in the affliction.

The more ballast the ship has the better it sails; so the more the heart is ballasted with grace, the steadier it will sail to heaven in prayer. 6. Prayer that is likely to prevail with God must be argumentative: God loves to have us plead with him and use arguments in prayer; s…

Prayer inflames the affections, and oils the wheels of the endeavor; prayer prevails with God, it unlocks his bowels, and then he unlocks Heaven; all that have got to Heaven have crept there upon their knees: The saints now in Heaven have been men of prayer; Daniel prayed three…

First, he makes conscience of private duties, he worships God in his closet as well as in the temple. Jacob, when he was alone, wrestled with the angel (Genesis 32:3-4). So a Christian, when he is alone, wrestles with God in prayer, and will not let him go till he has blessed hi…

Let all the devils in hell set themselves against thy poor soul, and if thou holdest fast this faith, they cannot all make thee sink under it: for when the devil says, Thou hast lost God's favor; by faith a man answers, though God's favor be lost unto my feeling, yet to my faith…

So likewise when God had testified of Job, that he was an upright and just man, one that feared God and eschewed evil, Job 1:8; then Satan took occasion thereby to tempt him: as in all the whole course of that book we may plainly see, wherein are set down most wonderful temptati…

Prayer has had power with God (Hosea 12:4). The Tyrians tied fast their God Hercules with a golden chain; the great Jehovah is held by the prayers of his people (Genesis 32:26). I will not let you go till you bless me.

For first of all, in regard of ourselves and our disposition we cannot be certain at all, but must despair of salvation even to the very death. We cannot be sufficiently disposed so long as we live in this world, but must always say with Jacob, I am less than all your mercies (G…

When I consider (1) that their mercies have greatly humbled them: the higher God has raised them, the lower they have laid themselves before God. Thus did Jacob when God had given him much substance (Genesis 32:10): 'And Jacob said, I am not worthy of the least of all your merci…

First, he that shall ask in the name of Christ implies the asking of it in humility; whatever we ask in humility, and lowliness of spirit; that is, to ask in the name of Christ; and that will evidence and put forth itself in three or four several acts in every prayer that is mad…

And Peter went out and wept bitterly (Matthew 26:75). And Jacob wrestled with God alone (Genesis 32:24). Frequency of objects draws away the mind, obstructs our affections, abates the vehemency of our zeal, fills us with carnal thoughts, therefore Christ retires himself and his…

To humble them lest the glory of these heavenly visions should too much puff them up. Therefore there was ever some weakness discovered in those that did receive them; Jacob wrestled with God, but came off halting and maimed, though he prevailed (Genesis 32:31): when he came off…

Soliloquy in the heart helps to a colloquy with God: But here observe Isaac's oratory, which he had in the field, which he used for more privacy; There (says Pareus) he continually poured out prayers to God, and at this time more earnestly for the happy success of his servant; a…

God would have his people converse with him in a [reconstructed: rational] way, and God's children have made use of many pleas in prayer, which they have produced in vehement expostulations, as we may find sprinkled up and down in Scripture, as Moses, Nehemiah, Ezra, and Daniel,…

The name Israel which here he opposes against these beasts, has a very great emphasis in it. We know what honor it was to the posterity of Jacob to bear this name, which God himself had imposed upon this holy Patriarch, because he overcame the Angel in wrestling (Genesis 32:28).…

And Saint Paul says; He which has begun a good work in you, will perfect the same: (Philippians 1:6). Likewise the Patriarch Jacob says; Lord, I am less than all your mercies and truth which you have showed your servant: but you said; I will do you good, etc. (Genesis 32:10-12).…

For why did God dignify his servant Jacob with this name, but because he showed himself valorous and invincible in adversity? Which appears by that wrestling he had with God, who pitches the field as it were to make war upon us, when he exercises us with diverse tribulations (Ge…

Matthew and Luke mean by it a rod which would be burdensome to the person who carries it: while Mark means by it a walking-stick to support and relieve a traveler. It is evident, that in making a journey it was customary to carry a staff; and hence those words of Jacob, With my…

That is all the Holy angels; as Dan. 7. 10. 2 Chron. 18. 18. And the Host of God, Gen. 32. 1, 2. And Jacob went on his Way, and the Angels of God met him; and when Jacob saw them, he said this is God's Host.[[original in non-Latin script]], the Word he uses signifies an Host enc…

This was the consideration that melted David's heart into a thankful praising frame, even the consideration of the free and undeserved favors cast in upon him by Providence, 2 Samuel 7:18 What am I? O Lord God: and what is my Fathers house, that you hast brought me hitherto? (i.…

(3.) Eye the free grace of God in them, yea, see riches of grace in every bequest of comfort to so vile and unworthy creatures as you are. See your selves over-topt by the least of all your mercies, Genesis 32:10 I am not worthy of the least, said Jacob. (4.) Eye the Condescensi…

The way of man is not in himself, nor is it in him that walks to direct his own steps, Jeremiah 10:23 Not what you projected, but what an higher counsel than yours determined, is come to pass. Good Jacob when God had made him the Father of a Family, admired God in the mercy, Gen…

But then Positively. Those mercies and comforts are undoubtedly sanctified to men, which humble their souls kindly before God in the sense of their own vileness and unworthiness of them, Genesis 32:10 And Jacob said, I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, &c. Sanctifie…

And let me tell you life is the treasure, that is now so much dug for: there are many abroad that are digging for your precious lives: Consider what lies at stake, and what will you give for the securing or reducing of it. Have we not cause to say of some of our bloody brethren,…

Here we see a way whereby we may obtaine the things we aske of God: namely, we must confess our own vnworthinesse, taking shame and confusion to our selues, and give all praise and honour and glorie to God. Thus did Jacob, Gen. 32. 10. I am not worthie of the least of all the me…

They are said to flee away, because a glimpse of Christ then, when he who is the Sun of Righteousness, shall shine at the break of that day, shall dispel and dissipate them more fully and quickly, than this natural sun when rising, does scatter darkness and shadows that go befor…

This holding of Christ, and not letting him go, imports, 1. A holy kind of violence, more than ordinary, wherewith the Bride strives and wrestles to retain him. 2. That Christ (as it were) waits for the believer's consent in this wrestling, as he says to Jacob (Genesis 32:26), I…

But, 2. the scope here, and the words following, look especially at the stateliness, majesty, and spiritual valor that is in particular believers, who are more truly generous, valorous and powerful, than an army with banners; when their faith is exercised, and kept lively, they…

The names given to prayer import violence. It is called wrestling (Genesis 32:24), and pouring out the soul (1 Samuel 1:15), both of which imply vehemency. The affection is required as well as the invention.

Strong affections are loath to be disturbed and diverted, therefore seek retirement. And it is notable, Jacob, when he would wrestle with God, it is said (Genesis 32:24), And Jacob was left alone, and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. When he had a min…

There is a forfeiture even of these common blessings. (Genesis 32:10) I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which you have shown to your servant. All that we have, we have from mercy, and it is mercy undeserved.

We are proud creatures, and think of a condignity of works, and to merit from heaven these mercies: but alas! there is no comparison; and if God would deal with us upon merit, and strict commutative justice, we cannot give him a valuable compensation for temporal mercies. (Genes…

3. A Child of God may so far Fear death, as this Fear fits him more for death. Jacob feared his brother Esau's coming against him, and he prepared to meet him, he addressed himself to Prayer, Genesis 32:7, 24. So when we Fear deaths coming and we prepare to meet it, we set our S…

2. If God would deal with us upon terms of merit, we cannot give him a valuable compensation for temporal life. Genesis 32:10: "I am less than the least of all your mercies." None of God's mercies can simply be said to be little; whatever comes from the great God, should be grea…

To serve God is to make him the object of worship, to seek God is to make him the end of worship. When we will not go away from him without him (Genesis 32:16): I will not let you go unless you bless me. It is not enough to make use of ordinances, but we must see if we can find…

We have all things from him. Consider the person receiving so unworthy (Genesis 32:10): I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth which you have showed to your servant. (2 Samuel 7:19) Who am I O Lord God, and what is my house that you have brought me…

Many would be glad of our relics. 5. Consider your unworthiness, (Genesis 32:10) I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth which you have showed to your servant. (2 Samuel 7:18) Who am I, O Lord?

Oh what a deal of wisdom, faithfulness and truth may we see in the conduct of his providence! (Genesis 32:10) I am not worthy of the least of all your mercies, and of all the truth which you have shown to your servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I am be…

Those that have a deep sense of their own unworthiness, most see a need of mercy, and most admire mercy. (Genesis 32:10) They see that mercy does all; that there is something of the pity and kindness of God in all things granted. They apprehend they are always in some necessity,…

There must not only be elocution, but affection. Jacob wrestled in prayer (Genesis 32:24). Hannah poured out her soul (1 Samuel 1:15).

Would you have the smiles of God's face, the kisses of his lips? Set open all the springs of mourning, and then God will draw near to you in an ordinance, and say, Here I am (Isaiah 58:9). When Jacob wept, then he found God in Bethel (Hosea 12:4); he named the place Peniel, for…

The more bitterness we taste in sin, the more sweetness we shall taste in Christ. When Jacob wept, he found God; And he called the name of the place Peniel, for I have seen God face to face, Genesis 32, 30. The way to find Christ comfortably in the Sacrament, is to go weeping th…

9. An humble Saint likes that condition which God sees best for him; a proud man murmurs he has no more, an humble man wonders he has so much, Genesis 32:10. I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies:

This prayer made Achitophel hang himself. Moses' prayer against Amalek did more than Joshua's Sword: Prayer has a kind of Omnipotency in it, it has raised the dead, overcome Angels, cast out Devils; it has influence upon God himself: Jacob's prayer held God, Genesis 32. 26. I wi…

I love the Lord, it is one thing to love our mercies, another thing to love the Lord; many love their deliverance, but not their deliverer; God is to be loved more than his mercies. 4 Then we are rightly thankful, when in giving our praise to God, we take all worthiness from our…

With the froward, thou wilt show thy self froward; In the Hebrew it is, thou wilt wrestle; and if God once wrestle with the sinner, he will throw him to the ground. When the Angel wrestled with Jacob, he touched only the hollow of his thigh, Genesis 32.25. But when God wrestles…

If God lifts him up, he will lay himself low, and exalt his God high. So did Jacob when God had raised and enlarged him (Genesis 32:10): 'I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth which you have shown to your servant, for with my staff I passed over t…

4. Wrestling adds strength to arms and body, praying and praying again strengthens Faith: customary running, lengthens the breath: By much praying faith is well breathed. Jacob is stronger in the morning, when he has prayed a whole night, than at bed-time (Genesis 32:26). The An…