Genesis 32:29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray you, your name. And he said, Why is it that you do ask after my name?… The Lord had asked Jacob how he was called, not as if He did not know it, but in order to give him a name more in accordance with his present state of grace. Jacob, meanwhile, feels emboldened to ask his antagonist His name. It may be that he was desirous of knowing how the Lord ought properly to be called. He was usually called "Elohim" — the Most High. God Himself had said to Abraham, "I am the El Shaddai, the Almighty or All-sufficient God." He was also called simply El, the Strong One. But these appellations no longer satisfied the patriarch after his recent experience. They all expressed something of the Divine glory, but none of them the whole of it. There was probably an ardour in his soul, which would gladly have poured itself out in hymns of praise, but for which he could not find words. But Jacob doubtless was not anxious merely about the name when he said, "Tell me, I pray Thee, Thy name." I think he meant to say by it, "Lord, how shall I call Thee? I know not what to think, much less to say. Such a condescension as that which Thou hast shown to me, who am but dust, is more than my heart could have remotely anticipated. I know and confess that Thou, O Lord! art wonderful and gracious. It was Thou who madest me competent to all this, and yet commendest me, as if I, a poor timid creature, had done it of myself. Thou, who art the Holy One, sufferest Thyself to be embraced by my unholy arms; Thou, who art Almighty, to be overcome by one so weak as I! This is too much, this is too wonderful and too lofty; I cannot comprehend it. Tell me, what is Thy name? What shall I say of Thee? for I know not. Who, indeed, can know how he ought to bless, praise, exalt, and extol Thee as he ought, when he learns and is conscious of what Thou doest to Thy children? "If it had been said to Jacob, thus filled with God," This that the Lord hath now done unto thee is something very trifling compared with that which He is willing to do for thee. He has, in this instance, assumed the human form only for a short time; but in the fulness of time He will really be born of a woman, and not spend merely a few hours, but three-and-thirty years, upon earth; suffer in body and soul the most extreme anguish; and even die for Israel that they may live. And the people will not meet Him, as thou hast done, with prayers and tears, but with great wrath and bitter fury will they do Him all conceivable injury; whilst He, from love, will bear it as a lamb." If the patriarch could then have been told these things — which were not fitted, however, for that period — "Oh," he would have exclaimed, by God's grace, "I can believe it! I can believe it! What can be too much for Him to perform?" Had he been told that He would be called Love, he would have exclaimed, "That is His true name!"' And who can say what an insight Jacob may have obtained into the mystery of salvation during this event, and of which he uttered many things in his parting blessing? At least, Jesus says of Abraham, "He saw my day, and was glad." But "tell me, I pray Thee, Thy name. Reveal Thyself more intimately to my soul." Such a desire is very laudable. Christ declares that "this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." Paul found so much comprised in the knowledge of Jesus Christ that he regarded everything else in comparison with it as loss and dung. Moses also once experienced such a strong desire that he prayed, saying, "If I have now found grace in Thy sight, I beseech Thee show me Thy glory." And the Lord really granted him his request, as far as was possible. Who would not tong for such an acquaintance, and pray, "Make Thyself known to me; cause Thy face to shine upon me; make me acquainted with Thee!" especially since we have the promise, "Thou shalt know the Lord"? Certainly this is a pearl worthy of the whole of our poor property; a treasure for the sake of which we may well sell everything in order to obtain it. But it is only in the light of God that we see light. Blessed are the eyes which see what ye see. "Flesh and blood has not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven." The Lord does all things well in due time, in general, as well as in particular — He only knows also the proper manner; and hence we must be content to be told, "my hour is not yet come." Jacob's question was also fully answered; eternity, however, is destined for its further elucidation. Israel thought he might then become acquainted with the whole mystery of redemption; but a couple of centuries must elapse ere it was fully made known. Israel was obliged to learn to wait — to see the promises afar off, and to be satisfied with it. He was satisfied, and held his peace. (D. C. Krumreacher.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. |
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