Luther’s Works, Volume 6
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
In this section of Luther's Lectures on Genesis the subject is the mature child of God in the school of adversity. Says Luther, “We have seen the triumphs and glory of Jacob … let us now also descend with him into hell and see his sadness and terror.” Extensive treatment is given to a mounting series of afflictions for Jacob. In every affliction, Jacob “wrestles with great infirmity,” and one trial may be termed “light” only by comparison with another. Luther is also interested in pointing out the antidote for all adversity—the comforting mercy of God. This comfort is in Jesus Christ; therefore Luther observes: “These emphatic words, which Moses scatters like jewels here and there in his writings, are wonderfully sweet, provided they are referred to Christ.” Luther does not hesitate to draw comparisons: “These things are written to comfort us so that we may know that our afflictions and disasters are not extreme.”
Top Highlights
“When Jacob therefore struggles with weakness of faith and does not cling to the promise firmly enough but wavers somewhat according to the flesh and has doubts about God’s will, as the flesh is accustomed to do, then there appears to him the gloomy face of God, struggling with him and desiring to kill him. The same happens to all who are tried when they do not rejoice in the goodness of God which has been clearly perceived but shudder at God’s wrath and are terrified.” (Volume 6, Pages 142–143)
“I have concluded a pact with my Lord God that He should not send me visions or dreams or even angels. For I am content with this gift which I have, Holy Scripture, which abundantly teaches and supplies all things necessary both for this life and also for the life to come.” (Volume 6, Page 329)
“After he had crossed, however, he separated himself from his whole family in a lonely spot and prayed with great anxiety because he was still full of terrors and weakness. He chose a lonely spot because solitude is very well suited to those who are praying, also in the daytime. For when prayer is serious and ardent, we do not readily allow those words to be heard which we pour out before God in a rather inept manner.” (Volume 6, Page 123)
“Jacob is stronger than the man, not because he is really stronger than the Lord but because the propriety of character is preserved, for the Lord does not make use of greater strength than a man can customarily use. He wants to make trial only of the strength of one man, since the Lord Himself is truly the stronger one.” (Volume 6, Page 136)
“Let us say: ‘Why God neglects me in this way, I do not know, but I have no doubts about the excellent, wise, and most useful plan of the Father, although the flesh does not see but murmurs and struggles against the Spirit.” (Volume 6, Page 352)
- Title: Luther’s Works, Volume 6
- Authors: Helmut T. Lehmann, Martin Luther, Hilton C. Oswald, Jaroslav Pelikan
- Series: Luther’s Works
- Publisher: Concordia Publishing House
- Print Publication Date: 1970
- Logos Release Date: 2001
- Era: era:reformation
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible › Criticism, interpretation, etc.--History; Bible. O.T. Genesis › Commentaries; Lutheran Church; Theology › Early works to 1800
- Resource ID: LLS:42.110.106
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2025-10-07T22:15:48Z