Jacob and the Lord - Pt 1

The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Genesis 32:22-26 ESV). For the next few days we are going to look at a time in the life of Jacob, which changed him forever. Jacob, you may recall, was the child of Isaac, and the grandson of Abraham. Jacob was a twin. He grabbed the heel of his brother Esau while still in his mother's womb. He tricked his twin brother out of his birthright, and then fled to a relative's house to hide. He marries Leah, and then Rachel, and has children. He is blessed of God, and through his family will come King David and eventually Jesus, but there is something wrong in his life. He knows he must reconcile with his brother Esau. He has made the necessary arrangements, and tomorrow the meeting will take place. When we get to this point in our story, Jacob is facing a tough night. The following morning he will go to meet his brother for the first time in 20 years. He hasn't seen him since he ran away after tricking Esau out of what was due him. "That night" would be a major test of his faith. "That night" was very important. Have you ever had one of "those nights"? Have you had nights where you knew you had to make a decision or do something the next day that you dreaded, and you couldn’t sleep? Jacob felt the need to be alone. Ever feel that way? Jacob had a trial to face, and he needed some time alone. I don't know if he intended to meet the Lord or not, but the Lord certainly intended to meet him. We will see that played out this week. One thing you need to know before we get started, however. If we are going to be strong in the Lord, then we must find time to be alone with God. Jacob needed it before he faced this challenge. What challenge are you facing today? Do you need to spend a little time alone with God? Many people tell me they don’t know how to spend time alone with God. Their mind begins to wander to all the things they have to do. Let me make a few suggestions for a brief time alone with God. 1. First, find a quiet place. No music or TV playing in the background. 2. Second, read a passage from the Bible in a contemporary translation. It doesn’t need to be lengthy, a paragraph or two will do for a start. I have often suggested reading a chapter from Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. 3. Third, write one thought that comes to you mind as you read. It may have a personal application and it may not. However, write it down in a “journal.” 4. Last, pray for youself and your family. Ask God to bless that day for each of them. Try these things for a month and see if your time alone with God doesn’t get easier and easier!