The Prayer of Jabez (I Chronicles 4:9-10) by Wayne S. Walker
(Reprinted from the on-line edition of The Expository Files,
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4051/)
"Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, 'Because I bore him in pain.' 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" (1 Chronicles 4:9-10).
Who was Jabez? There is no mention of him anywhere else in the scriptures. From the context, it does appear that he was of the tribe of Judah, and some think that he was a son of Koz (cf. v. 8). There are other theories as to who and what he was, but our purpose here is simply to see what lessons we can learn from this passage of scripture.
First, consider the attitude of Jabez. He was honorable. Why he was more honorable than his brothers we are not told, but it may have to do with the nature of his prayer. There are two characteristics that are needed for one to be honorable in prayer. One of them is being earnest, which means intense, zealous, sincere, and determined. We are told that "the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16). The second of these characteristics is humility. "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter5:6-7). The earnest, fervent prayer that is prayed in true humility is honorable before God.
Another aspect of the attitude of Jabez is that he directed his prayer to God. Because we are to worship the Lord our God and serve Him alone, Jesus taught us to address our prayers, saying, "Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name" (Matthew 4:10, 6:9). To direct such a prayer to God demonstrates that one is trusting in and thus dependent on Him for everything that is needed. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).
Second, consider the character of Jabez's petition. He requested a personal blessing. To ask God's blessing is to ask Him to bestow divine favor. There is nothing wrong with requesting God to bless us specifically. The Psalmist did. He prayed, "Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance; shepherd them also, and bear them up forever" (Psalm 28:9). Jabez also asked God to enlarge his borders. This seems to relate to material prosperity. Thus, it is certainly scriptural for us to pray that God will bless us materially (note Matthew 6:11). However, the Bible offers no "quid pro quo" promise that if we do certain specified things for God then He will materially prosper us a certain specified amount, as some who hold the "Abundant Life--Health and Wealth" gospel teach. Rather, the Lord has simply said that if we serve Him faithfully, He will provide for us (Matthew 6:33).
Then Jabez beseeched that God's hand would be with Him, no doubt to provide protection and guidance. Should we not pray with the Psalmist, "Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day" (Psalm 25:5)? Finally, Jabez expressed a petition that God would keep Him from evil. Jesus also indicated that His disciples should pray for God's preservation and deliverance, as He taught them to say, "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13). Of course, God's protection, guidance, preservation, and deliverance are all provided for us through the scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The reason why Jabez thus prayed was so that He might not cause pain. One commentator expressed it this way: "Let me not experience the grief which my name implies, and which my sins would well produce." Another phrased it, "Grant that the grief implied in my name may not come upon me!" And likewise, it should be our prayer, "I cling to Your testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame!" (Psalm 119:31). Finally, consider the response of God, who granted Him what he requested. The Lord has promised us, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened" (Matthew 7:7-8). God has said that He will hear and respond to the prayers of His people. Oh, He may not always give us what we ask for, when we ask for it, in exactly the way that we asked. But He is the source of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). Therefore, we can trust Him to answer our prayers by providing what He knows best that we need in harmony with His will, just as He did with the prayer of Jabez.
[Editor's Note: This article is for our young people, but it contains a lesson for us all.]
Using God's Name In Vain By Jim Jonas (jjbogator@aol.com)
"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,
for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in
vain" (Exodus 20:7).
The third commandment is often applied to the use of profanity or euphemistic terms (golly, gosh, jeez, etc.). But there is another way of using God's name in vain that could be even more damaging.
You have, no doubt, seen the way Britney Spears dresses as she sings. Yet when interviewed, Ms. Spears is quick to invoke the name of God and speak openly about her religious beliefs. This is common among celebrities. Sports figures, movie and television stars and even politicians often verbally acknowledge God even as they live immorally.
We might find ourselves drawn to these people because of their references to God or Christ. We are so disheartened by the unbelief around us that we welcome those in the public eye who give God any credit at all.
But wait a minute. Do we really want people to believe that Britney Spears is a good example of one who worships God? Do we want our skeptical friends and neighbors to equate the wicked behavior of celebrities with what we stand for as Christians?
Unfortunately, some people will mention the name of Jesus simply to sell records, gain votes or build a fan base. Such people are taking the name of God in vain because they are using Him for their own selfish purposes. Other people may be sincere in their reference to God, but they erroneously believe that He approves of their sinful lifestyle. The sad truth is that these people will have more influence in our society than you or I will ever have. Britney Spears has undoubtedly convinced many an impressionable young lady that she can dress like a tramp and still be a Christian.
It is so easy to make God into our own image. We may convince ourselves that God approves of what we are doing even though our actions may clearly violate divinely revealed standards. Remember the warning of Paul to the Corinthians: "Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works" (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).
We can be deceived by words that sound sincere, but actions are a better gauge of godliness. "Do not be deceived. God is not mocked" (Galatians 6:7).
Short Exhort - Written and/or Compiled by David J. Riggs (http://www.public.usit.net/driggs/)
"Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." (James 3:5-6)
One evening, while waiting for a bus, a man was standing with a crowd of people looking in the window of a taxidermist shop. In the center of the window was a large owl that attracted the attention of all who passed by. The self-appointed expert began to criticize the job done on it. "If I couldn't do better than that," he said pompously, "I'd find another business. Just look at it. The head is out of proportion, the pose of the body is unnatural, and the feet are pointed in the wrong direction." Just then the owl turned his head and gave the fellow a broad wink. The crowd laughed as the critic embarrassingly slipped away.
"If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well." (James 3:2 NASV)
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Our weekly services are held at 1318 Griffin Road, Leesburg, Florida
34748.
Phone: (352) 365-9946 for times of services.
Web site: http://www.geocities.com/~cdillinger/cocbs/cocbshp.htm
GOSPEL MEETING STARTS TOMORROW NIGHT: January 28 - February
1, each evening at 7:30 PM with David Tant of Roswell, GA. Invite
your friends, neighbors and co-workers to this series of sermons.
Then,
Bro. Tant will also be with us on Sunday Feb. 3. He will be speaking to the young in the faith at the 9:30 hour and the entire congregation at 10:30 and 6:00 PM.
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BIBLE INSIGHT is published for the members of, and visitors to,
the Church of Christ at Beverly Shores, Leesburg, Florida, USA.
Carey Dillinger is the editor. He can be reached at the church
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