Our readings begin with Jacob's perplexity, yea, agony, as he goes forward to meet his brother Esau. Yet God gave him a vision that His angelic host was with him. Jacob does all on his part to compensate his offended brother in the way of property, humbles his heart before God, and pleads only God's mercy. And then comes the change of name from Jacob (the supplanter) to Israel (the prevailer), and that is the origin of Israel, and true Israel are the prevailers by faith.
We omit the sorry incidents of the 34th chapter as not necessary to the narrative, also those of the 38th. Chapters 37, 39, and onward are one of the beautiful revelations of how God overrules the wrath, the ambitions, the jealousies of men to praise Him. The story of Joseph is a most beautiful narrative of the outworking of God's providence for the true and the faithful. And Joseph's example is a splendid example for young men. Doubtless his early life showed but the flattered and petted boy, but his later life showed that the principles of righteousness had been transmuted into living character.
Psalms 10, 11, and 12 are inspired prayers of God's will toward the children of men. The 10th is not simply the prayer of some one who wishes vengeance upon the wicked, but it is that God will execute justice for the sake of the poor and the oppressed.
