Wesley Corpus

Chapter XXXIII We read in the former chapter how Jacob had power with God, and prevailed; here we find what power he had with men too. Here is, A friendly meeting between Jacob and Esau, ver. 1 - 4. Their conference at their meeting. Their discourse is, About Jacob's family, ver. 5 - 7. About the present he had sent, ver. 8 - 11. About the progress of their journey, ver. 12 - 15. Jacob's settlement in Canaan, his house - ground, and altar, ver. 16 - 20. He bowed - Though he feared Esau as an enemy, yet he did obeisance to him as an elder brother. And Esau ran to meet him - Not in passion but in love. Embraced him, fell on his neck and kissed him - God hath the hearts of all men in his hands, and can turn them when and how he pleases. He can of a sudden convert enemies into friends, as he did two Sauls, one by restraining grace, 1Sam 26:21,25, the other by renewing grace, Acts 9:21. And they wept - Jacob wept for joy to be thus kindly received; Esau perhaps wept for grief and shame to think of the ill design he had conceived against his brother. Eleven or twelve little ones followed Jacob, the eldest of them not fourteen years old: Who are these saith Esau. Jacob had sent him an account of the increase of his estate, but made no mention of his children, perhaps because he would not expose them to his rage, if he should meet him as an enemy. Esau therefore had reason to ask who are those with thee To which Jacob returns a serious answer; they are the children which God hath graciously given thy servant. Jacob speaks of his children, As God's gifts; they are a heritage of the Lord. As choice gifts; he hath graciously given them. Though they were many, and but slenderly provided for, yet he accounts them great blessings. I have seen thy face as though I had seen the face of God - That is, I have seen thee reconciled to me, and at peace with me, as I desire to see God reconciled. Esau offers himself to be his guide and companion, in token of sincere reconciliation. We never find that Jacob and Esau were so loving with one another as they were now.