
Today's Devotion
From Dr. David Jeremiah
Two Camps
November 11, 2026
So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
Genesis 32:1-2
Recommended Reading:
Genesis 32:1-1232 So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.[{{f}}]3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4 And he commanded them, saying, “Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: “I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now. 5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.”’”6 Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” 7 So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies. 8 And he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape.”9 Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’: 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. 11 Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children. 12 For You said, ‘I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’”
Genesis 32:1-12
We all face moments when we dread what lies ahead—a difficult conversation, an uncertain future, or a problem we cannot solve. Jacob knew exactly how that felt. As he journeyed home with his sizable family, he expected to meet the brother he had wronged years before, a man who now commanded a force of seasoned warriors.
That’s when we find this strange verse in Genesis 32—the angels of God met Jacob. We don’t know anything more about the encounter, but Jacob named the spot Mahanaim, which means “two camps.” He had his frightened clan of earthly pilgrims, but around him was God’s host of angelic helpers. Two camps—one visible and one invisible—were traveling together.
The angels of God are camping around you too. They are God’s messengers who stand ready to direct, strengthen, assist, protect, and encourage you. No matter what you’re facing, ask God to send His host to help you face your trouble.
No human effort can be sufficient…. The source of defense and the means of victory come from God’s ministering angels.
Allen P. Ross

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