HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-23.-Mahanaim, or preparing for Esau. I. THE ANGELIC APPARITION. 1. The time when it occurred. (1) After Jacob had concluded a covenant of peace with Laban. Celestial visitations of a peaceful and encouraging character a.re never vouchsafed to those who are living in a state of enmity with their fellow-men. 'Phe troubled sea reflecte not the ehining foce of heaven, and neither does the wrathful soul invite approaches of God. (2) When Jacob was proceeding on his way to Canaan. The road which Jacob now pursued was the path of duty, inasmuch as it had been prescribed by God, and led to the covenant inheritance; and only then need the saints expect to meet with either God or bis angels, when they are walking in the way of his commandments, and making for the better country, even an heavenly. 2. The impression which it niade. Whether completely su1Tounding him, or divided into two companies, one on either eide of him, Jacob's angelic visitors, from their number, their orderly array, their military dispositions, assumed the appearance of a heavenly army lying encamped over against his own ; and the sight of the t'IVo companies immediately suggested the ejaculation," This is God's host," and caused him to name the place Mahanaim. 3. The purpose which it served. For :m enumeration of the different ends which this sublime vision is supposed to have been intended to subserve the Exposition may be consulted. 'l'he greatest probability attaches to that which regards it as having been designed to prepare Jacob for his rapidly-approaching interview with Esau. It was fitted to remind him of the heavenly reinforcements that are always at hand to succour saints in their extremi- ties (cf. 2 Kings vi. 17; Ps. xxxiv. 6; Zech. ix. 8; Heh. i. 14). II. THE FnIENDLY EMBASSY. 1. The despatch of the messengers. (1) Their <lestination-to Mount Seir, to Esau; (2) their instructions-to inform Esau of Jacob's prosperous estate and immediate return; (3) their design-to deprecate the wrath of Esau, and find grace for Jacob in his sight. 2. The return of the messen- gers. ( 1) Their alarming report-that Esau was on the way with 400 men ; (2) the terror it produced-Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; (3) the o.cta to "·l,ich it Jed-stratagem, supplication, conciliation. III. Ts:E SUDDEN STRATAGEM. Jacob divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two bands. 1. An evidence of Jacob's seif- possession. The fear in~pired bf Esau's approach had not been so _gr~at as to make liim lose command of his faculties. Men that have God upon the1r side should not allow themselves to be thrown by evil tidings into excessive trepidation (Ps. xxvii. 1-3; Rom. viii. 31). 2. A proof of Jacob's prudence. The division of his compo.ny into two bands afforded to one at least of the portions a chance of escaping the sword of Esau. Though contrary to the Divine word to resist evil, it is not wrong to use all lawful endeavours to a,•oid it. 3. A testimony to Jacob's chivalry. In a. time of danger lie thinks of the safety of others, of the women and children, rather than of himself. 4. A sign of Jo.cob's meekness. He contemplates not armed resistance to the onset of his infuriated brother, but prepares by peaceful means to elude at lea.et the full force of bis attack. IV. TrrE EARNEST PRAYER. Characterised by-1. Lofty faith. Jacob addresses l,imsel£ to God as to a living personality, and not as to an impersonal force; to the God of the covenant,-" 0 God of my father Abraham," &c.,-o.nd not simply to God in the abstract, as the inscrutable power that presides over men and things, und bases his appeal upon the promises which God in virtue of that covenant had extended to himself. 2. Profound ltumility. He not only acknowledges tho CIJ. XXXII, 1-23.] 'l'HE BOOK OF GENESIS. 393
Di_v(ne hnnd in I.is. remarkable prospe1:it)'., wliich is _always difficult for the proucl ~pmt of the worldlrng to do, but he d1stmctly describes "all the mercies" he has received to the pure, unmerited grace of God, declaring himself to be utterly less than. t~e least of the(n. ~ang'.1~ge such :1s tl~is is either impious hypocrisy or lowly hurmhty. 3. ~eautif.ul si7!1-plicity. Pl:irn, duect, ar,tless, and confiding, it is snch a prayer as n lovrng child might breathe rnto a mothers ear when driven hy impend- ing danger to seek shelter in her bosom :-" Deliver me, I pray thee from the hand of Esau my brother: for I fear him." . ' V. THE C0N~~~IAT0RY rRESEN;- "A '!la~•s gift make~h room for him," says Solo- mon (Prov. xvm. 16); and agarn, "A gift 1n secret pac1fieth anger, and a reward in the bosom strong wrath" (Prov. xxi. 14). The gift of Jacob to his brother was-1. Handsomely prepared. It was munificently and generouR!y selected from the best of the flocks and herds in his possession. 2. Skilfully arranged. The sheep, goats, camels, asses, kine that composed it were drawn up in a series of droves, which were despatched in succession under the care of as many drivers. 3. Promptly despatched. The measures just recited were adopted on the very day that Ja.cob's messengers returned, and the several droves despatched upon their journey ere the nij?ht fell. 4. Peacefully designed. They were meant to appease the wrath of Esau. Lessons :-1. The ministry of angels. 2. The courage inspired by true religion. 3. The value of prayer. 4. The use of a present.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vllrs. 1, 2.-Diuine '[Yl'Otection. The pilgrim on his way is met by the angels of God. They are two hosts-" Mahanaim,'' that is, twofold defence, before 11.nd be- hind. There was fear in the man, but there was trust nnd prayer. He saw the objective vision, but the inward preparation of heart enabled him to see it. 011 our way we may reckon on supernatural protection-protection for ourselves, pro- tection for those who are Divinely appointed to be with us. The double host is an emblem of that angelic guardianship which we are told (Ps. x=iv. and xci.) "encampeth round about them that fear the Lord, and delivereth them," 11 keepeth them in all their ways."-R. Vcrs. 3-8.-Faith andfellowship. Jacob's preparation against dnnger betokened his sense of duty to do his utmost under the circumstances, and his sense of past errors ond ill desert towards his brother. There is an exercise of our own judgment in times of distress and extremity which is quite consistent with dependenc<J upon God.-R.