"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE LIFE AND PRAYER OF JABEZ"
1st Chronicles 4:9 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”
1st Chronicles 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:
The book of 1st Chronicles emphasizes the spiritual significance of King David's righteous reign. Through David's offspring would come the Messiah. Jesus Christ whose throne and kingdom would be established forever. Much of 1st Chronicles traces the genealogy of the returning exiles ( coming out of their captivity ) back to the patriarchs and ultimately to Adam, establishing David's household as the one of promise for Israel's crown. Thus, you have many, many lists of different families and their children. The two verses we are looking at, are concerning a man among many, but what is said of him is worth noting.
1. God can and does make a man honorable if he is willing.
1st Chronicles 4:9 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”
The name Jabez, means sorrow. Apparently, his birth was marked by tremendous pain for his mother. But, what he became would no doubt have washed away her memory of pain and sorrow. For Jabez became an honorable man. In fact, he as more honorable than his brothers. What a wonderful distinguishing reality.
God is not a respecter of persons, but man can become respectful before God and man if he so chooses. And that is apparently what happened in the life of this man Jabez. May it happen in our lives also.
It's grace that makes us what God wants us to be. We must believe God, and be doers of His Word, but at the end of the day, what makes us honorable is God's grace in our lives.
1st Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
2. God's men and women can call upon Him, and that is what Jabez did.
1st Chronicles 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.
God has given us a very detailed account of how this man Jabez prayed.
(1) He prayed for God's blessing in His life.
(2) He prayed that God would enlarge his territory. Or extend my lands.
(3) He prayed that God's hand would be with him.
(4) He prayed that God would keep him from evil.
(5) He prayed that God would keep him from causing other pain.
3. God's man Jabez prayed in a way that you and I can pray also. And, God will hear and bless you as well.
1st Chronicles 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.
Please notice what is said at the end of this verse. "So God granted him what he requested."
It's such a blessing to know that our prayers can not only be heard, but answered. And, we know that they will be answered when we pray in accordance with the will of God, which is apparently what Jabez did.
1st John 3:22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
So, it behooves us to keep His commandments and to do those things that are pleasing in His sight. We can ask according to His will, and seek to live and act according to His will. And, have the confidence that God will answer our prayers.
Psalm 4:3 But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to Him.
Isaiah 41:17 “The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, Their tongues fail for thirst. I, the LORD, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
Questions:
1. It's true that we have no idea of what pain our mothers may have gone through leading up to and including our birth.
2. Do you believe that regardless of your past experiences, that God can and will make you an honorable man or woman?
3. Are you learning to pray?
4. Do you know that God will answer prayers that are according to His will?
5. Please take another look at the prayer that Jabez prayed, and see if you can pray along the same line.
6. God's answer to enlarging our territory, is not limited to physical or material, but can include spiritual blessings as well.
A prayer:
Father, it's amazing how in reading through a simple portion of the Bible, such as a record of different families, that we can run across a couple of verses that are so rich and so meaningful to us. Down deep inside of ourselves, we want to be like Jabez. An honorable person. And, like Jabez we desire Your blessings in our lives. What a blessing it is to be kept from evil, and to be kept from causing pain in the lives of those around us. May it be so Lord, may it be so. Grant our requests we pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
