Are you ever “alone with God”?

Genesis 32:22 Today’s New International Version

That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabok

Genesis 32:22 Today’s New International Version

After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.Genesis 32:22 Today’s New International Version

After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.Genesis 32:23-24 Today’s New International Version

After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.Genesis 32:23-24 Today’s New International Version

After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.Genesis 32:23-24 Today’s New International Version

Jacob has been alone for a long, long time.

• Alone growing up

A mommy’s boy in a daddy world

“Red” vs. “the Cheat”

Jacob’s twin brother…“Esau” = “Red”

Red-blooded…male

“Jacob” = “grasping”“deceiving”“cheating”

Esau held a grudge against Jacob… He said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”

Genesis 27:41 Today’s New International Version

When Rebekah was told what her older son Esau had said, she sent for her younger son Jacob and said to him…

Genesis 27:42 Today’s New International Version

“Your brother Esau is planning to avenge himself by killing you. Now then, my son, do what I say: Flee at once to my brother Laban in Harran.”Genesis 27:42-43 Today’s New International Version

Jacob has been alone for a long, long time.

• Alone growing up

…because of his grasping

Jacob has been alone for a long, long time.

• Alone growing up

• Alone on his journey

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Genesis 28:15 Today’s New International Version

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Genesis 28:15 Today’s New International Version

“Surely the LORD is in this place….” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” Genesis 28:17 Today’s New International Version

Jacob has been alone for a long, long time.

• Alone growing up

• Alone on his journey

…he is not listening

Jacob has been alone for a long, long time.

• Alone growing up

• Alone on his journey

• Alone in his business

I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times.

Genesis 32:41 Today’s New International Version

Jacob has been alone for a long, long time.

• Alone growing up

• Alone on his journey

• Alone in his business…he cheats a cheat

Jacob has been alone for a long, long time.

• Alone growing up

• Alone on his journey

• Alone in his business

• Alone in his marriage

So when Jacob came in from the fields that evening, Leah went out to meet him. "You must sleep with me," she said. "I have hired you…”

Genesis 32:41 Today’s New International Version

Jacob has been alone for a long, long time.

• Alone growing up• Alone on his journey• Alone in his business• Alone in his marriage

…he’s not loved

Jacob is in a tight place

He’s stuck in a canyon

He has fled Laban who wants to kill him.

He’s coming home to Esau who…

When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, "We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him." Genesis 32:6 Today’s New International Version

That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabok

Genesis 32:22 Today’s New International Version

After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.Genesis 32:22 Today’s New International Version

After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.Genesis 32:23-24 Today’s New International Version

“…for their never at home and their always alone…

…even with someone they love.”

After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.Genesis 32:23-24 Today’s New International Version

God grasps us in his grace

…even as we fight him…making us face new

hope

When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.Genesis 32:25-27 Today’s New International Version

When the man saw that the man could not overpower Jacob, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.Genesis 32:25-27 Today’s New International Version

When the man saw that Jacob could not overpower the man, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.Genesis 32:25 Today’s New International Version

God grasps us in his grace

…even as we fight him…making us face new

hope…even if it takes pain to

do it.

Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”

But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

Genesis 32:26-27 Today’s New International Version

God grasps us in his grace

…until we grasp back

The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered.

Genesis 32:27 Today’s New International Version

The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Cheater,” he answered.

Genesis 32:27 Today’s New International Version

The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Swindler,” he answered.

Jacob owns that he has made others into objects

Genesis 32:27 Today’s New International Version

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with human beings and have overcome.”Genesis 32:28 Today’s New International Version

God grasps us in his grace

…until we grasp back…until we grasp change

Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.

Genesis 32:29 Today’s New International Version

So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

Genesis 32:30 Today’s New International Version

God grasps us in his grace

…until we grasp back…until we grasp change…until we grasp grace.

Are you in the tight spot?

Are you caught between the consequences and circumstances of your

life?

Are you“alone with God”?

Genesis 32:22 Today’s New International Version

God grasps us in his grace

…until we grasp back…until we grasp change…until we grasp grace.