Eymbolised the life of dependence upon which he henceforth entered with much more entire surrender than before. " As the sun rose upon him, he hnlted upon his thigh. 11 It was the morning of a new life-the life of man's confessed notlungness and God's ma~ife~ted su_ffici~ncy. In such a _light we ~an see light. The day may have dangers m it, but 1t wtll be a day of mighty deliverance, Divine blessedness, rejoicing in personal salvation and peaceful life.-R. \'er. 28.-A new name. "Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel.'' Twenty years ~efore Jacob lea!ned :'-! Beth~) to kn?w God as ~ living and pres~nt Protector. This a great step m spmtual life; belief of God m heaven becommg consciousness of God" in this place," guiding all events. It is the first step towards walkir:g with God. But his training not yet complete. Truth is usually grasped by degrees. Unbelief, cast out, returns in new forms and under new pretences. .A common mistake at beginning of Christian life is to think that the battle is e.t an end when decision made. The soul may have passed from death to life; but much still to be done, much to be learned. Many a young Christian little knows the weakness of his faith. During these years Jacob shows real faith, but not perfect reliance ( eh. xx.x. 37 ; x.xx.i. 20). Returning home greatly enriched, he heard of Esau at hand. He feared his anger. No help in man; God's promise his only refuge. Could he trust to it? His wrestling. We cannot picture its outward form; but its essence a spiritual struggle. His endurance tried by bodily infirmity ( cf. ,Job ii. 5) and by the apparent unwillingness of. the Being with whom he strove (cf. IIIntt. xv. 26). His answer showed determination (cf. 2 Kings iv. 30). This pre- Yailed; weak as he was, he received the blessing {cf. Heb, xi. 34). .And the new name was the sign of his victory (cf. Matt. xxi. 22; 1 John v. 4). I. THE STRUGGLE. Why thus protracted? It was not merely a prolonged prayer, like Luke vi. 12. There was some hindrance to be overcome (cf. Matt. xi. 12); not by muscular force, but by earnest supplication. Where Scripture is silent we must speak cautiously. But probable explanation is the state of Jacob's own mind. Hitherto faith had been mixed with faithlessness ; belief in the promise with hesi- tation to commit the means to God. .Against this divided mind (James i. 8) the Lord contended. No peace while this remained (cf. Isa. xxvi. 3). And the lesson of that night was to trust God's promise entirely (cf. Ps. x.xxvii. 3). When this was learned the wrestling of the Spirit against the double mind was at an end. Such a struggle may be going on in the hearts of some here. A craving for peace, yet a restless disquiet. The gospel believed, yet failing to bring comfort. Prayer for peace apparently unanswered, so that there seemed to be some power contending against us. Why is this? Most probably from failing to commit all to_ God. Perhaps requiring some sign (John xx. 25), some particular stato of feelmg, or change of disposition ; perhaps looking for faith within as the ground of trust ; perhaps choosing the particular blessing-self-will as to the morsel of the ~read ~f life to satisfy us, instead of taking every word of God. There is the evil. It 1B ao-ainst self thou must strive, Behold thy loving Saviour ;-will he fail thee in the h~ur of need? Tell all to him; commit thyself into hie hands; not once or twice, but habitually. II. THE NEW NAME (cf. Rev. iii. 12). No more Jacob;the crafty, but Ierael,God'e prince (cf. Rev. i 6). The token of victory over distrust, self-will, self-confidence. In knowledge of poverty is wealth (Matt. v. 3); in knowledge of w~akness, strength (2 Cor. xii. 10). That name is offered to all. The means, perseve~mg prayer; ~ut prayer not to force our will upon God, but that trust may be so entire that- our wills may in all things embrace hie.-M.
EXPOSITION. having crossed to the south bank, if the pre• CHAPTER xxxm. vious night had been spent upon its nor~h Vere. 1, 2.-And Jacob, having the day side, pa.seed over the rising ground of Pcmel before despatched his conciliatory gift to (vide 'fristram'a 'Land of Israel,' p. 658), Esau, turued his back upou the Jabbok, and advauccd to meet his br: thcr, richlr OH. XXXJII. 1-20.] THE DOOK OF GENESIS.