from the servile spirit of bondage, delivered from the fear of death, made free by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, from the law of sin; and who serve God, not according to the letter, but in the Spirit. These are the glorious results of beholding the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit. If we wish to enter into the full meaning of Jacob's expression, we must remember that he really expressed himself in his language as follows:-"I am preserved, and shall be preserved ;" so that he was animated by a vigorous confidence with respect to the future. The Lord had said to him, ' Thou hast had power;' or more correctly speaking, 'Thou wilt be enabled to prevail.' Now, here is the echo of faith: "I am preserved, and shall be preserved! although new tribulations may befall me, according to the will of God; yet, I shall be preserved, and at length he will deliver me from all evil, and bring me to his glorious kingdom; of this I am assured, for I know in whom I have believed.' God performs what he promises. He faithfully helped Jacob through everything, although he had to experience many grievous trials; one of the most painful of which was, the supposed death of his favorite son, Joseph, whom he was told a wild beast had devoured, on his being sent out by him; respecting which he doubtless reproached himself bitterly, as having committed a great piece of thoughtlessness, and on whose account he mourned long, until this also cleared itself up in an unexpected and glorious manner. Whether Jacob, under all these circumstances, was able with the same serenity to say, 'I shall be preserved,' I know not. From his long mourning over Joseph, and his declaration, that if mischief befell Benjamin by the way, then shall ye bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to the grave,' the contrary may be inferred; as also from his exaggerated statements to his sons, who wished to take Benjamin with them into Egypt. 6 Me ye have be reaved of my children,' said he; Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away; all these things are against me.' And when his sons, on a previous occasion, had committed the shameful murder of the Shechemites, he was again afraid, and said, I being few in number, they will gather themselves together against me, and slay me, and I shall be destroyed, and mine house.' Where is now thy faith? it might be asked. But this also tends much to the glory of God, and to prove that he is alone good, and that we without him can do nothing. In the joy of his heart, and in the enjoyment. of Divine gifts, the man probably imagines that his mountain stands so strong, that he will never be moved. And why does he suppose so? Because he secretly thinks that he himself has become something, and imagines he is in possession of the faith &c., for which he has so long supplicated. But it may still be the case with him, that like Jacob he looks at himself, and is afraid lest his powerful foes should at length destroy him and his whole house. how much has God to do with us, in order to bring us into true poverty of spirit, and to keep us in it! We are invariably desirous of becoming something in ourselves of growing, being strong, and able in ourselves. Hence the Lord is continually obliged to convince us of our poverty and misery; yet all this would avail nothing, if he did not himself enable some souls to ascribe to him the kingdom, the power, and the glory; and to regard themselves in truth and reality as nothing, even in the possession of abundance of gifts; and at the same time to believe in reality and with serenity, and to be satisfied that in Christ dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. It is true indeed, that no one can receive anything, or retain it, except it be given him from above. The sun now rose. This splendid spectacle in nature was also an image of that which had passed in the soul of the Patriarch. The night had disappeared. A lovely morning dawned. It rose upon him. The Sun of Righteousness and the Day-spring from on high, was at length to arise upon them that sat in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide their feet into the way of peace. O may this Sun rise; may it rise upon us with its healing beams; may it rise upon all who call themselves Christians-upon the posterity of Israel— upon the whole world! And Jacob halted upon his thigh. Every step reminded him of the great mercy of the Lord, and at the same time of his own nothingness. Every step exalted and humbled him. And when others heard his name and saw his lameness, they would also be reminded that the Lord condescends more graciously to his people, than it might be supposed. To him be glory for ever. Amen. |