Charles Spurgeon Commentary Genesis 32:1-2

"And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And Jacob said when he saw them, This is God`s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim." — Genesis 32:1-2 (ASV)

And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.

And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

The angels of God are always around his people. It was well for Jacob to be reminded of that fact, for he was about to pass into another trouble. John Bunyan truly says, –

"A Christian man is seldom long at ease;
When one trouble's gone another seizes him."

Certainly it was so with Jacob; for, after he had escaped from Laban, he knew that he had to meet his brother Esau, whom he had so greatly wronged so many years before. Then it was that the angels of God met him. Go on your way in peace and safety, beloved believer, for God's hosts are all around you. You do not go unattended at any single moment of your life. Better than squadrons of horse and regiments of foot are the ministering spirits who are sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.

And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.

And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Jacob was about to enter upon a great trial, and therefore he received a great comfort in preparation for it. God knows when to send angels to his servants; and when they come, it is often as the forerunners of a trial which is to follow them.