Victory but not Communion

“I have seen God face to face” (Gen. 32:30)

What a moment in one’s life when it could be said by any of us, “I have seen God face to face”! Let us see how this came about with Jacob. An interval of considerable time had elapsed since he had said, “this is the gate of heaven,” of the place where he is seen as a poor, weary wanderer at sundown with only the stones of the earth for his pillow. His circumstances have changed considerably since then. Now he is full, now he is rich, he has a stake in the world. While in Laban’s country he has grown and increased, “oxen and asses, flocks and men servants and women servants,” declare his wealth and possessions, but his faith is poor and his heart oppressed, “greatly afraid and distressed” tells the sad tale of him who dreads Esau’s host, and how like us oftentimes when we look at him, fearing and praying and calculating and settling all with human skill and to the best of man’s device.

It is well for us to remember that there is such a thing as an exercise of spirit, which is the product of pure unbelief ; under its influence we are awake in nature’s dread, and we pray in unbelief and want of confidence . Oh how often is it with us like the disciples in the storm, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?”

Now this state brings us under discipline, our God and Father is at issue with this, yet so wonderful is His grace that He makes that which calls forth the discipline the occasion of our blessing; such is His grace that all is laid under tribute, as it were, for His own glory and His children’s blessing.

But to return to the history before us, so full of profit and instruction to the soul. It is well to observe that in poor Jacob’s mind and thoughts it was quite otherwise to seeing God face to face. He was full of the dread and horror of meeting Esau; this, and this alone, engrossed his mind, hence it is he has recourse afresh to the means of unbelief . Wives and children are sent on before, and present upon present prepared for Esau: “I will appease him with the present that