patriarchs and prophets-第48章
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dawn of day； Laban and his company departed。 With this separation ceased all
trace of connection between the children of Abraham and the dwellers in
Mesopotamia。
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Chapter 18
The Night of Wrestling
Though Jacob had left Padan…aram in obedience to the divine direction； it
was not without many misgivings that he retraced the road which he had
trodden as a fugitive twenty years before。 His sin in the deception of his
father was ever before him。 He knew that his long exile was the direct
result of that sin； and he pondered over these things day and night； the
reproaches of an accusing conscience making his journey very sad。 As the
hills of his native land appeared before him in the distance； the heart of
the patriarch was deeply moved。 All the past rose vividly before him。 With
the memory of his sin came also the thought of God's favor toward him； and
the promises of divine help and guidance。
As he drew nearer his journey's end； the thought of Esau brought many a
troubled foreboding。 After the flight of Jacob； Esau had regarded himself as
the sole heir of their father's possessions。 The news of Jacob's return
would excite the fear that he was coming to claim the inheritance。 Esau was
now able to do his brother great injury； if so disposed； and he might be
moved to violence against him； not only by the desire for revenge； but in
order to secure undisturbed possession of the wealth which he had so long
looked upon as his own。
Again the Lord granted Jacob a token of the divine care。 As he traveled
southward from Mount Gilead； two hosts of heavenly angels seemed to
encompass him behind and before； advancing with his company； as if for their
protection。 Jacob remembered the vision at Bethel so long before； and his
burdened heart grew lighter at this evidence that the divine messengers who
had brought him hope and courage at his flight from Canaan were to be the
guardians of his return。 And he said； 〃This is God's host： and he called the
name of that place Mahanaim〃〃two hosts； or； camps。〃
Yet Jacob felt that he had something to do to secure his own safety。 He
therefore dispatched messengers with a conciliatory
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greeting to his brother。 He instructed them as to the exact words in which
they were to address Esau。 It had been foretold before the birth of the two
brothers that the elder should serve the younger； and； lest the memory of
this should be a cause of bitterness； Jacob told the servants they were sent
to 〃my lord Esau；〃 when brought before him； they were to refer to their
master as 〃thy servant Jacob；〃 and to remove the fear that he was returning；
a destitute wanderer； to claim the paternal inheritance； Jacob was careful
to state in his message； 〃I have oxen； an asses； flocks； and menservants；
and womenservants： and I have sent to tell my lord； that I may find grace in
thy sight。〃
But the servants returned with the tidings that Esau was approaching with
four hundred men； and no response was sent to the friendly message。 It
appeared certain that he was coming to seek revenge。 Terror pervaded the
camp。 〃Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed。〃 He could not go back； and
he feared to advance。 His company； unarmed and defenseless； were wholly
unprepared for a hostile encounter。 He accordingly divided them into two
bands； so that if one should be attacked； the other might have an
opportunity to escape。 He sent from his vast flocks generous presents to
Esau； with a friendly message。 He did all in his power to atone for the
wrong to his brother and to avert the threatened danger； and then in
humiliation and repentance he pleaded for divine protection： Thou 〃saidst
unto me； Return unto thy country； and to thy kindred； and I will deal well
with thee： I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies； and of all the
truth； which Thou hast showed unto Thy servant； for with my staff I passed
over this Jordan； and now I am become two bands。 Deliver 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 with the children。〃
They had now reached the river Jabbok； and as night came on； Jacob sent his
family across the ford of the river； while he alone remained behind。 He had
decided to spend the night in prayer； and he desired to be alone with God。
God could soften the heart of Esau。 In Him was the patriarch's only hope。
It was in a lonely； mountainous region； the haunt of wild beasts and the
lurking place of robbers and murderers。 Solitary and unprotected； Jacob
bowed in deep distress upon the earth。 It was midnight。 All that made life
dear to him were at a distance；
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exposed to danger and death。 Bitterest of all was the thought that it was
his own sin which had brought this peril upon the innocent。 With earnest
cries and tears he made his prayer before God。 Suddenly a strong hand was
laid upon him。 He thought that an enemy was seeking his life； and he
endeavored to wrest himself from the grasp of his assailant。 In the darkness
the two struggled for the mastery。 Not a word was spoken； but Jacob put
forth all his strength； and did not relax his efforts for a moment。 While he
was thus battling for his life； the sense of his guilt pressed upon his
soul； his sins rose up before him； to shut him out from God。 But in his
terrible extremity he remembered God's promises； and his whole heart went
out in entreaty for His mercy。 The struggle continued until near the break
of day； when the stranger placed his finger upon Jacob's thigh； and he was
crippled instantly。 The patriarch now discerned the character of his
antagonist。 He knew that he had been in conflict with a heavenly messenger；
and this was why his almost superhuman effort had not gained the victory。 It
was Christ； 〃the Angel of the covenant；〃 who had revealed Himself to Jacob。
The patriarch was now disabled and suffering the keenest pain； but he would
not loosen his hold。 All penitent and broken； he clung to the Angel； 〃he
wept； and made supplication〃 （Hosea 12：4）； pleading for a blessing。 He must
have the assurance that his sin was pardoned。 Physical pain was not
sufficient to divert his mind from this object。 His determination grew
stronger； his faith more earnest and persevering； until the very last。 The
Angel tried to release Himself； He urged； 〃Let Me go； for the day breaketh；〃
but Jacob answered； 〃I will not let Thee go； except Thou bless me。〃 Had this
been a boastful； presumptuous confidence； Jacob would have been instantly
destroyed； but his was the assurance of one who confesses his own
unworthiness； yet trusts the faithfulness of a covenant…keeping God。
Jacob 〃had power over the Angel； and prevailed。〃 Hosea 12：4。 Through
humiliation； repentance； and self…surrender； this sinful； erring mortal
prevailed with the Majesty of heaven。 He had fastened his trembling grasp
upon the promises of God； and the heart of Infinite Love could not turn away
the sinner's plea。
The error that had led to Jacob's sin in obtaining the birthright by fraud
was now clearly set before him。 He had not trusted God's promises； but had
sought by his own efforts to
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bring about that which God would have accomplished in His own time and way。
As an evidence that he had been forgiven； his name was changed from one that
was a reminder of his sin； to one that commemorated his victory。 〃Thy name；〃
said the Angel； 〃shall be called no more Jacob ＇the supplanter＇； but Israel：
for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men； and hast prevailed。〃
Jacob had received the blessing for which his soul had longed。 His sin as a
supplanter and deceiver had been pardoned。 The crisis in his life was past。
Doubt； perplexity； and remorse had embittered his existence； but now all was
changed； and sweet was the peace of reconciliation with God。 Jacob no longer
feared to meet his brother。 God； who had forgiven his sin； could move the
heart of Esau also to accept his humiliation and repentance。
While
