Genesis 32:30

Jacob called the name of the place Peniel.

The word Peniel means "the face of God." Jacob, conscious of the divine blessing, thought that he had looked upon the divine face,. mistake on his part we suppose, as Hosea declares that he wrestled with an angel, and Christ affirms that no man hath seen God at any time. The name continued for many centuries to cling to the spot as. memorial of the event.

PRACTICAL AND SUGGESTIVE.

We cannot ever escape our sins. Their consequences will come upon us in the hour of trouble.

The greatest foe we have is ourselves. If we can prevail over self we will prevail with God.

To every saint is given. now name. It implies that he has laid aside the old character, and has. new heart and new life.

In time of trouble God is the only sure refuge. If we can only rest in the rifted rock we are secure and safe from all harm.

It is right in danger to take all possible human precautions, but the strong reliance must be on God. "Trust in God and keep your powder dry."

Jacob's new name was Israel. All saints are of the true Israel; that is, prevailers. How full of promise it is that God should call his praying children by this name! It is. pledge that they shall prevail with him.

The true Israel are the children of Israel who are men of firm faith and earnest prayer. This is the significance of the phrase.

He who wins God to his side will win man. He who prevails with God will prevail with man.

THE DAY. REAKETH.--Let it break. Jacob might have replied, What is that to me?. have. thousand reasons why. will not let thee go, and even the breaking of the day is one of them.. perilous day is approaching. This day. will meet with my brother Esau.. stand in special need of thy blessing. Thou doest well to remind me of it that. may cleave the closer to thee.-- Bush.

EXCEPT THOU. LESS ME.--Latimer so plied the throne of grace with his "Once again, once again, restore the Gospel to England," that he would have no nay at God's hands. He many times continued kneeling and knocking so long together that he was not able to rise without help. His knees were grown hard like camel's knees, as Eusebius reports of James, the Lord's brother. Paul prayed thrice, that is, until he had his desire.-- Trapp.

PRAYER IN THE BIBLE.--Our Savior prayed himself into an "agony," and we are bidden "to strive in prayer," even to an agony (Romans 15:30). Nehemiah prayed himself pale (Nehemiah 2:2). Daniel prayed himself "sick" (Daniel 8:27). Hannah prayed, striving with such an unusual motion of her lips, that old Eli, looking at her, thought that she was drunk (1 Samuel 1:13). Elijah put his head between his knees, as straining every string of his heart in prayer (1 Kings 18:42). He prayed, and prayed, saith St. James, and by his prayer he had what he would of God.-- Ibid.

Come,. thou Traveler Unknown, Whom still. hold but cannot see; My company before me is gone, And. am left alone with thee; With thee all night. mean to stay, And wrestle till the break of day. Yield to me now, for. am weak, But confident In self-despair; Speak to my heart, in blessings speak: Be conquered by my Instant prayer. Speak, or thou never hence shalt move, And tell me If thy name be Love.

-- Charles Wesley.

POINTS FOR TEACHERS.

1. Outline the trouble between Jacob and Esau. 2. Give the changes that had taken place since their parting twenty years before and the condition of each. 3. Describe the circumstances that surround Jacob at Peniel; on the march, at the ford of Jabbok; point out where he was, near Palestine. 4. Show why he was so startled when he heard Esau was coming. His fears spring from his sins. 5. Show what grounds he had for confidence and courage. 6. Show how he leans upon the covenant in his prayer. 7. Describe the night scene, all alone, in the mountain gorge, and the wrestle in the darkness. 8. Point out the spiritual significance of the wrestling. 9. Show that "Unless thou bless me. will not let thee go" is the key to all successful prayer. 10. Indicate the meaning of Jacob's dislocation of his thigh, and how it helped to victory. 11. Show why the new name Israel was given. 12. Point out those who are the "children of Israel now," and how they prevail.