Jacob expected a battle and his concern was escape, not reconciliation (v.8). He saw the army of angels protecting him, but even that didn’t encourage his faith. Mahanaim means “double camp”—his camp and the camp of God’s angels. Had Jacob recalled his experience with God at Bethel, he would not have been afraid of Esau (28:13–15).
雅各估计会发生一场斗争，所以他想逃走，而不是和解（8节）。即便看见神的军兵在保护他，雅各仍惧怕。玛哈念的意思是“二军兵”；雅各的阵营和神的军兵。如果雅各能回忆他在伯特利与神的经历，就不会害怕以扫了（28:13-15）。
One minute Jacob prayed for God’s help, and the next minute he devised some new way to appease his angry brother. He reminded God of His great promises and then acted as though God had never spoken. This is the conduct of a believer who needed to be broken before God. He prayed to be delivered from Esau (v. 11), but his greatest need was to be delivered from himself.
雅各一方面寻求神的帮助，另一方面又想方设法安抚怀怒的哥哥。雅各想起神的应许，行事却又好像神从未开口似的。这就是一个仍需被神彻底破碎的信徒会做的事。他祈祷神能救他脱离以扫的手（11节），但他最需要的是脱离自己的惧怕。
Jacob was broken to be healed and weakened to be strengthened. When he surrendered, he won and became a “prince with God.” His limp would be a constant reminder that God would be in control of his life. “God fights against us with His left hand and for us with His right hand,” wrote John Calvin. When we let God have His way, it is the dawning of a new day (v. 31).
雅各被破碎是为了得医治，变软弱是为得力量；他投降时就获得胜利，并成为“与神同在的王子”。他瘸了的大腿是在不断地提醒他：神掌管着他的生命。约翰·加尔文写道：“神用左手对抗我们，也用右手扶持我们”。当我们让神按祂的方式行事，这便是崭新的开始（31节）。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- Jacob’s greatest problem is fear. Fear is debilitating. Even Jacob saw the angels and named the place Mahanaim meaning aside from them, God’s army was with them. Yet he still lived in such terrifying fear. Let’s pray that we remember what Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Mat 10:28)
雅各最大的问题就是恐惧。恐惧使人变得软弱无力。即使雅各看见天使，并将此地命名为玛哈念（意思是他的阵营与神的军兵同在），他仍然活在恐惧中。让我们祈祷，叫我们能记住耶稣所说的：“那杀身体，不能杀灵魂的，不要怕他们；惟有能把身体和灵魂都灭在地狱里的，正要怕他。”（太10:28）
- We are so much like Jacob. One minute, he prayed for God’s help, and the next, he devised his own way. He was reminded of God’s promises and then he acted as though God had never spoken. Our greatest need is to be delivered from ourselves. We are our own greatest enemy. We need to rest in God and not fear the possible consequences. Let’s pray that we learn this very important lesson.
我们真的很像雅各，一边向神寻求帮助，另一边却谋算设计。他记得神的应许，行事却如同神从未开过口似的。我们最大的敌人是自己；d我们需要从自己1手中解脱。我们需要在神里面安息，而不是畏惧后果。让我们祈祷，叫我们能学会这非常重要的一课。
- W. Tozer said, “The Lord cannot fully bless a man until He has first conquered him.” Jacob wanted the blessing of God but he didn’t want to be God’s man. The question is whether he wants to continue to deceive himself and others; or will he admit who he is and let God change him? In the Bible, receiving a new name signifies making a new beginning. The new name God gave him was “Israel,” from a Hebrew word that means “to struggle.” Some translate it “one who wrestles with God” or “God strives” or “let God rule.” The explanation in Genesis 32:28 is that Jacob had gained power because he prevailed. He lost the battle but won the victory! By seeking God’s blessing and finally being weakened and forced to yield, he had become a “God-empowered prince.” Pray that we are willing to accept our own weakness and strive for God’s blessing.
陶恕说：“主不能全然祝福一人，直到神先征服他。”雅各希望得到神的祝福，但他却不想神的人。问题是：他是否还要继续欺骗自己与他人过活，或是承认自己是谁，让神改变他呢？在圣经中，新的名字意味着新的开始。神给了他一个新名“以色列”，希伯来文的意思是“较力”。有的译为“与神较力”、“神争斗”或“让神统治”。《创世记》32章28节解释，雅各能变刚强是因为他与神与人较力，都得了胜。他输了仗却赢了战争！雅各寻求神的祝福，成为软弱的，被逼要顺服，所以最终成为“神授权的王子”。请祷告让我们愿意接受自己的弱点，并努力获得神的祝福。
