![]() ![]() He is now to learn the lesson of unreserved reliance on God. ![]() The hazard of his present situation arose chiefly from his former unjustifiable practices toward his brother. ![]() Hence, he had been betrayed into intrusive, dubious, and even sinister courses, which in the retributive providence of God had brought, and were yet to bring him, into many troubles and perplexities. But this practical self-reliance, though naturally springing up in the new man and highly commendable in itself, was not yet in Jacob duly subordinated to that absolute reliance which ought to be placed in the Author of our being and our salvation. He relied indeed on God, as was demonstrated in many of his words and deeds but the prominent feature of his character was a strong and firm reliance on himself. He had that inward feeling of spiritual power which prompted the apostle to say, "I can do all things." Hence, we find him dealing with Esau for the birthright, plotting with his mother for the blessing, erecting a pillar and vowing a vow at Bethel, overcoming Laban with his own weapons, and even now taking the most prudent measures for securing a welcome from Esau on his return. Jacob seems to have gone through the principles or foundations of faith in God and repentance toward him, which gave a character to the history of his grandfather and father, and to have entered upon the stage of spontaneous action. He takes man on the ground on which he finds him, and leads him through the senses to the higher things of reason, conscience, and communion with God. "A man wrestled with him." When God has a new thing of a spiritual nature to bring into the experience of man, he begins with the senses. "Jacob was left alone," on the north side, after all had passed over. "Passed over the ford of Jabbok." The Jabbok rose near Rabbath Ammon, and flowed into the Jordan, separating North Gilead from South, or the kingdom of Og from that of Sihon. Barnes' Notes on the BibleJacob wrestles with a man. ![]()
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