Genesis 32:10

I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.

I am not worthy of the least {H6994} of all the mercies {H2617}, and of all the truth {H571}, which thou hast shewed {H6213} unto thy servant {H5650}; for with my staff {H4731} I passed over {H5674} this Jordan {H3383}; and now I am become two {H8147} bands {H4264}.

I'm not worthy of all the love and faithfulness you have shown your servant, since I crossed the Yarden with only my staff. But now I have become two camps.

I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. Indeed, with only my staff I came across the Jordan, but now I have become two camps.

I am not worthy of the least of all the lovingkindnesses, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two companies.

Commentary

Genesis 32:10 captures a pivotal moment in Jacob's life, revealing his profound humility, deep gratitude, and earnest plea to God as he prepares to face his estranged brother Esau. This verse is part of Jacob's heartfelt prayer, offered in a time of great anxiety and uncertainty.

Context of Genesis 32:10

After twenty years away from his homeland, Jacob is finally returning to Canaan, having left Laban's household. As he approaches, he sends messengers ahead to Esau, hoping to appease him. However, the messengers return with alarming news: Esau is coming to meet him with 400 men. This news fills Jacob with great fear and distress, prompting him to divide his camps and then turn to God in desperate prayer for deliverance. He vividly remembers the anger and animosity Esau held against him due to the stolen birthright and blessing.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Profound Humility and Unworthiness: Jacob begins his prayer by declaring, "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth." This is a genuine confession of his unworthiness, acknowledging that any favor or blessing from God is purely by grace, not by merit. It reflects a broken and contrite spirit, a significant development in Jacob's character.
  • God's Abundant Mercy and Faithfulness: Jacob acknowledges God's steadfast love (hesed) and unwavering faithfulness (emet), which He has consistently shown to His servant. He recognizes that his current prosperity is a direct result of God's unmerited favor and commitment to His promises, not Jacob's own efforts or worthiness. This echoes the promises God made to him at Bethel.
  • Gratitude for Divine Providence: The striking contrast Jacob draws—"for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands"—highlights his deep gratitude. He recalls his solitary, humble beginnings when he fled from Esau with nothing but a staff. Now, God has multiplied him into two large companies of family, servants, and livestock, signifying immense blessing and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises, such as those found in Genesis 28:3.
  • Dependence on God's Intervention: Jacob's prayer is not just an expression of gratitude but also a desperate plea for God's protection. By recounting God's past goodness, he builds a foundation for his request for deliverance from Esau, appealing to God's consistent character and covenant obligations.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words for "mercies" (chesed or hesed) and "truth" (emet) are significant. Chesed often translates as 'lovingkindness,' 'steadfast love,' or 'covenant loyalty.' It speaks of God's loyal, unfailing, and undeserved love. Emet refers to God's faithfulness, reliability, and the certainty of His promises. Together, they emphasize the unwavering nature of God's character and His commitment to His covenant with Jacob, as seen in Psalm 36:5.

Practical Application

Jacob's prayer in Genesis 32:10 offers profound lessons for believers today:

  • Cultivate Humility and Gratitude: Like Jacob, we should acknowledge our unworthiness before God and recognize that all blessings—spiritual and material—are unearned gifts of His grace. This fosters a spirit of humility and profound gratitude.
  • Remember God's Past Faithfulness: When facing daunting challenges or fears, recalling God's past mercies and faithful interventions in our lives can strengthen our faith and provide courage. God who was faithful in the past will be faithful in the present and future.
  • Acknowledge Divine Providence: Recognize that any increase, success, or prosperity in our lives comes from God's hand. It is not solely by our own strength or merit but by His abundant grace and truth.
  • Pray with Sincerity and Dependence: Jacob's raw and honest prayer teaches us to approach God in times of fear and uncertainty with full dependence on His character and promises.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 18:35

    Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

  • Genesis 24:27

    And he said, Blessed [be] the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I [being] in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.

  • 1 Timothy 1:12

    ¶ And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

  • 1 Timothy 1:15

    This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

  • 2 Samuel 7:18

    ¶ Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who [am] I, O Lord GOD? and what [is] my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?

  • Isaiah 63:7

    ¶ I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, [and] the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

  • Psalms 85:10

    Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed [each other].
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