I Have Enough

[Posted by permission. Chippenham Old Baptist Chapel.]

Prayer Meeting Address given at Old Baptist Chapel, Chippenham by Mr. G. D. Buss on Wednesday evening, 18th December, 2019 

“I have enough.”—Genesis 33:11

Two brothers in the flesh are spoken of in our text. In fact, they were both in the womb together. They were twins. But we know that even while they were in the womb, they strove one with another. God gave to Rebekah, their mother, that interpreting word, that the elder (which was Esau) would serve the younger.

The early history of these two brothers we have in previous chapters. In many respects, it was not a happy history, mainly through the partiality shown by Isaac to Esau and Rebekah to Jacob. We should remember that “the wisdom that is from above is…without partiality.” A lot of evil has been done in this world in families, in Churches, in businesses and in nations by an unwise and an undue partiality. This partiality brought its sad fruit in the home of Isaac and Rebekah, as you know.

There were two things that Isaac did wrong; he acted without the fear of the Lord in both ways. One was that Isaac was not near the end of his days. He had many more years to live before he was taken. In seeking to bless Esau he was acting prematurely. Secondly, he was not unaware that God had given a special word to his wife Rebekah concerning Jacob; that Jacob was the one to whom the firstborn blessing, the birthright would go, because of God’s distinguishing grace and love.

But these things did not move Isaac, and we have no stones to throw at him. The most gracious man or woman left to themselves, acting in their own spirit, would do what Isaac did. But we know the outcome. We know how wrong it was of Rebekah to try and circumvent Isaac’s plan by teaching her son to act the liar’s part to gain the blessing, none of which had God’s approbation. It had God’s overruling, but it did not have God’s approbation. How do we know that? Because the Lord’s chastening rod came upon Rebekah and Jacob because of it. When Jacob fled, Rebekah thought it would just be for a few days and then he would be back. But she never saw him again. And Jacob proved the word that is as true this evening hour as it ever has been: “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Even though he be a godly man, if he sows to the wind, he will reap the whirlwind, even in this time state. Thus, it was with Jacob. He deceived his father, and it was not long before his uncle Laban deceived him in the matter of his wife and deceived him ten times concerning his wages. And every time Jacob had to remember how he had deceived his father. Here, he was reaping where he had sown.

But, blessed be God, and this is the great mercy of God; this is the great condescending love of God, even when His people wander and stray like sheep, He does not take His love from them, although He reproves them. His purposes toward them are not thwarted, are not altered and are not changed. God had purposes of grace toward this man, Jacob. They began to be unfolded at Bethel, when he had that remarkable vision and he came for the first time, feelingly, into the presence of Almighty God. It made him feel most unworthy. It made him feel it to be a dreadful place. Why was that? Because he was a dreadful sinner; he felt so in God’s sight. And, if ever you come, dear friends, face to face with a holy God, you will feel the same. Ask Isaiah about it in the temple. Ask Daniel about it when his comeliness was turned into corruption. Ask John on the Isle of Patmos about it when he fell down as dead in the presence of the Son of Man in all His glory. Friends, the holiness of God is something that reveals to us our unworthiness, our unholiness and our unfitness for the very presence of God.

But God showed Jacob the way back. Although he was a sinner: a great one, like you and I are; yet the Lord Himself put that ladder just where Jacob, the sinner, was. It stretched from the dark spot where Jacob was – this sinning man, this guilty man – and it stretched right up from Jacob’s low place into heaven itself. Of course, it was a precursor of the coming Saviour, verily God, verily Man. From Bethel onwards, Jacob began to live a life of prayer. And, just as it was in the Book of the Exodus and in the Book of Numbers, the Rock that was smitten followed the children of Israel throughout their wanderings, so I believe this ladder followed Jacob wherever he went. He was always in need of it. And, friends, he was always in need of the word God gave him: “I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.”

So, down Jacob goes to lodge and to live with his uncle Laban. He obtained two wives. He only wanted one, but he ends up with Leah and Rachel. The overruling providence of God was that through Leah, Judah would be born; the tribe through which our Lord Jesus Christ would come. How past finding out are God’s ways! How past finding out they are!

In Laban’s presence and country, Jacob had many a harsh lesson to learn. It was a time of divine discipline and divine teaching. The Lord kept him there for many years until the lessons he had to learn were learned. Then it became evident to Jacob that Laban’s face was not toward him as before. He lays it before the Lord. And the Lord said: “Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee.” In the strength of that word, Jacob obeys. He falls under the word, gathers his family together and leaves Laban, taking his wives and children with him and the many cattle that God had given him during those years with Laban. And the Lord said: “I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.” The Lord saw it. You say: ‘Why didn’t the Lord intervene before?’ Because, my dear friend, Jacob still had some lessons to learn. And you might ask: Why has the Lord not intervened in my path yet? Why is it that prayers are not being answered and the doors opened that I am looking for? Why is it that there still seems to be no deliverances? It is because there are still lessons to be learned while you wait for the Lord to appear. “Be still, and know that I am God.” “Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

Now Jacob, at last, leaves at God’s command. He went with the Word of God in his heart: “Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee.” Jacob ventured at God’s Command. May God grant there may be many more ‘venturings’ in His ways, and that concerns all of us. May there be many more taking up that cross and following Him. But the point I want to make is this: whenever there is a venturing in the ways of God, do not be surprised if when taking up the cross there is that that would hold you back. No sooner had Laban heard that Jacob was to leave, than he rushes out with evil intent to drag him back. But Jacob was under the “shadow of the Almighty.” We read it in Psalm 91. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” If you are under God’s shadow, friends, you are in God’s care. He has your matters in hand.

“Not a single shaft can hit, 

Till the God of love sees fit.”

And the Lord speaks to Laban. ‘Do not say one word to Jacob. He does not need any good thing from you. And do not say any evil thing. Leave him alone. I have told him to return.’ And Laban admitted that unless God had told him that, he would have done harm to Jacob. But the Lord dealt with Laban. He loosed that bond so that Jacob could, metaphorically, set sail from that shore.

But no sooner was that trouble over, another came. This time it was a trouble that had deeper connotations to it. Esau was coming against Jacob. Jacob had to go through the land of Edom to get back home, and Esau heard of it. So, Esau gathers four hundred men. It was very evident; why would he need four hundred men? It was because he wanted to get revenge for the sins of Jacob all those years ago. Jacob could not plead innocence. He could not plead integrity, nor could he plead uprightness in that matter. Many, many times he must have regretted his actions, but there it was, on his conscience. Jacob knew that if the Lord were to deal with him after his sins, Esau would get his way.

But, friends, Jacob knew the throne of Grace. Do you know it? When your ‘Esaus’ are coming against you, do you know where to go? When the ‘Labans’ are trying to hold you back, do you know where to go? Oh, Jacob knew where to go! He goes to the Lord and he says: ‘Thou saidst.’ He has the Word of God in one hand, and he has the weapon of prayer in the other. “Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee.” ‘Lord, Thou art as good as Thy Word. Appear for me.’ And Jacob, having prayed like that, then made preparation. Whether they were wise preparations we must leave between Jacob and the Lord. Did he need to send all those droves to pacify Esau? I don’t really think so but leave that to one side. We will not criticize the dear man more than we need to. We are not in his position, are we?

But what is certain is that it was not the cattle, the sheep or the oxen that changed Esau’s heart. What was it? Well, we read that Jacob sent his two wives and his children over the brook. Then there is a very poignant word: “and Jacob was left alone.” A lonely man. And, when he was left alone, like “a sparrow alone upon the house top,” a most mysterious thing happened. Suddenly, in the dead of night, there appears a Person who lays hold of Jacob and begins to wrestle with him. Jacob begins to wrestle with this Stranger. This strange conflict goes on hour after hour, until the morning begins to dawn. This mysterious Person lays His hand on the thigh of Jacob, and Jacob becomes a lame man. All that Jacob can now do is cling to this mysterious Person. And, the more Jacob wrestled, the more he realised that this was not an enemy. This was not one who had come against him. This was not an ‘Esau’ or a ‘Laban.’ This was his God who had come in this mysterious way to meet with him in his trouble. So, when the mysterious Angel of the Covenant said: “Let me go, for the day breaketh,” Jacob says: “I will not let thee go,” with all the spiritual strength God gave him. “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.”

What took place? The Angel asked Jacob his name. He knew it. God knows your name and my name. He knows all that goes with your name and my name. “What is thy name?” Just like Isaac had asked, all those years ago. “Art thou my very son Esau?” ‘Yes,’ Jacob had said. But friends, Jacob could not lie to God, and nor can you, and nor can I. You cannot lie to God. God knows who you are. ‘I am Jacob.’ That very name; oh, what connotations it had had! The memory of the bad behaviour! The subtlety, the deceitfulness! Yet, there was something else. Good John Newton puts it so beautifully.

“Once a sinner near despair Sought 

Thy mercy-seat by prayer;

Mercy heard and set him free; 

Lord, that mercy came to me.”

Really, that is what Jacob said to the Angel. ‘That is me! Yes, I am that base, black sinner. I dare not hide it from Thee. Yet, I have obtained mercy.’ He could remind Him of Bethel and the great promise God had given to him there. And the Angel tells him, “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men.” “A prince”: the son of a King, one of the King’s sons; what a blessed, blessed portion that is! And we read: “And he blessed him there.” That, dear friends, is where Esau was overcome. That is where the matter was decided. That is where the transaction was done between Almighty God and Jacob. So, when Esau met Jacob the next day, it was not as a lion, but as a lamb; not as an enemy, but as a brother. Who has altered Esau’s heart? The God of Bethel, now to Jacob the God of Penuel also. Friends, I said just now:

“Not a single shaft can hit, 

‘Till the God of love sees fit.”

“Nor can he bark, nor can he bite, 

Unless the Lord permit.”

So, the two brothers met. It was a wonderful meeting. It was a meeting that had a permanent effect, because while these two lived there was no more antagonism. There was between their descendants, but that is another story. Between the two brothers themselves, here God dealt with the conflict. He dealt with the controversy. And, when God deals with a controversy dear friends, He can finish it. It was finished here. Esau asked Jacob: ‘What are all these cattle? What are these oxen, sheep and camels? What are these things?’ ‘These are for you, Esau.’ And Esau said himself in his own language: “I have enough.” The margin reading is: ‘I have much.’ God had prospered Esau. God had promised that, through Isaac’s blessing in the tent, years before. God had prospered this man. But it was only in providence. Esau’s “enough” was his camels, sheep, a bank balance, authority and power. Esau was thankful for everything this world calls good or great. But it never went any further. Now, in our text, Jacob said: “I have enough.” And the original Hebrew there is ‘I have all things.’ ‘All things.’ It is a wonderful thing if you have ‘all things’ tonight, dear friends. If you have ‘all things,’ you will have all you need for time, all you need for the day of your death and all you need for eternity. ‘All things.’ “All things are yours,” says the Lord through Paul to the Church at Corinth. “All things are yours…ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.”

In what way then, had Jacob enough? Well friends, Jacob was like Naphtali, wasn’t he? Jacob had just come from the greatest blessing in his life. His cup had run over with the experience of the previous night. Oh, the memory of it! The blessed outcome of it! He had enough. He could easily have left all his cattle with Esau at that moment. He was so full of the love of God and so full of thanksgiving for the answer to his prayer. He was “in the Spirit.” “I have enough.” It is a great mercy when you and I feel like that and can do the same.

There are many exhortations to this. Paul, writing to Timothy says: “Having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” You say: ‘But that is Esau’s blessing, isn’t it?’ No. Food and raiment God does give, and be thankful for that. We have our homes, families and loved ones: be thankful for those things; this is God’s goodness. But Paul was not resting there. ‘Timothy, the food you have is the blood and righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Living Word. The clothing you have is Christ’s obedience. Having that food and that raiment, what more do you need?’ We sang of it in our opening hymn:

“Having Jesus,

I have an immortal store.”

J. Newton

I wonder how many of you here tonight can join with Jacob. “I have enough.” Your ‘enough’ is Christ. What did we sing?

“Less than Thyself will not suffice 

My comfort to restore;

More than Thyself I cannot crave, 

And Thou canst give no more.”

A. M. Toplady

What a mercy it is when Christ is really “all in all” to us! Even though He may have given us and has given us many natural benefits; benefits that are innumerable, they are only blessings to us with Christ. Blessing without Christ will turn to be a curse to you. You might have a huge bank balance, but without Christ it will be a snare to you. You may be the most popular man in your area, but without Christ that will be a terrible snare. So we could go on. You might be very brilliant in your career, but without Christ it becomes a snare. There is a lovely word in Romans 8: “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all,” that is; all His dear people “how shall He not with Him” – note those two words: “with Him” – “also freely give us all things?” All things that are needed: for your body, for your family, for your business and for the Church. The Lord knows all our need. He is not negligent in it. But examine your heart tonight. What is your chief joy? What would make your cup run over? What would cause you to say: “I have enough?”

As I thought about this, I thought about the language of Jacob in a different situation. You will remember that when the tidings came that Joseph was yet alive and Benjamin and Simeon were restored, the poor man fainted. And when he came round, he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent. They convinced him that Joseph was yet alive. He had heard the word and he saw the evidence. He said: “It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.” It was a long while that Jacob waited for that “it is enough,” wasn’t it? Those long years of perplexity! He knew what Joseph had had by way of promise. He was the only one of his sons at that time with whom he could have any real fellowship. And, that mysterious day when the other brothers came back with that coat, dripping with blood! They let Jacob come to the conclusion that Joseph had died because some wild beast had slain him. Jacob thought he would go to the grave with sorrow.

But, all the while, how many times he must have said: ‘But what about that promise? What about those dreams? They were from the Lord; what has happened to them?’ You may be living in a perplexity like that tonight. You feel persuaded there were things the Lord did for you. You feel confident that the Lord was in it. But the dark path you have had to walk ever since! Where will it end? My dear friends, how can man make straight that which God hath made crooked? In all those years, no man could make that straight in Jacob’s mind. But, when God comes to it, He can make straight what man cannot make straight. And so, when Jacob saw the wagons he said: “It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.”

Come with me to the Garden of Gethsemane. There the dear disciples are gathering around the Saviour. They sense the gathering cloud over their dearest of all friends. Peter said: ‘We have two swords.’ And the Lord said: “It is enough.” What did He mean? Did He mean they were to take up a carnal weapon against Judas and the band that were not far away? Not for one moment. In fact, Jesus told Peter later: “Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” What did He mean? What were the two swords our dear Saviour had? One was wrestling prayer. We speak of Jacob wrestling, and it was indeed a night to be remembered. But even Jacob’s wrestling falls into oblivion compared with the wrestling of the dear Saviour in the Garden of Gethsemane. The other weapon He had in His hand was the weapon of His Father’s will; the Word of God that He was fulfilling; He, the Incarnate Word. They were the two swords He had. And, my dear friends, those two swords brought Him through. He “endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

“I have enough.” Do you have those two swords: prayer and the Word of God? Does the Holy Ghost enable you to wield them? Then you have enough to go on with. You need no more. There is sufficient there for all that you may need in the unknown way. Whatever is around the next corner, you have enough. Prayer, a Holy Ghost wrought prayer and a Holy Ghost given Word; you have enough. You need no more because the presence of the Lord is in those two things.

“I have enough,” says Jacob. I think at that moment he could have given away every possession he had because he was so full of the love of Christ in the New Testament sense. Oh, that we knew more of such days! We are so niggardly and so shut up! We are so bound by the things of this time state, are we not? But, when He sends the love of God into our heart, then that beautiful Word our Lord spoke is fulfilled: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” And that is the freedom that Jacob had here; an “indeed” freedom. May God grant it to us. May we be able to say by grace and grace alone (it was grace that made the difference), “I have enough.”

“Having Jesus,

I have an immortal store.”

J. Newton

Friends, if Jesus is yours, you are His and you are safe. Safe now, safe on a dying bed, safe before the Judgment Seat and safe to all eternity. Why? It comes back to Jacob’s promise, quoted by dear Paul. I close with this: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said,” What has He said? “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

May God add His blessing.

Amen.