Jul 28 – 1 Chronicles 4:9-43, 1 Chronicles 5 Romans 11:11-32 Psalm 89:19-29
1 Chron 4:9-10
Jabez was more honourable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”
Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.
Books have been written about this few lines. And there’s no doubt – for it to be specifically mentioned here, to take time aside from these lists of genealogies, something amazing happened here.
What can we learn form this man who had his prayer answered?
Well first – Jabez means “he causes pain”. Not a great name really. Not a great start – but actually he rose above his name. He could have gone the way of Jacob the heel grabber and lived up to his name, but he didn’t. He didn’t let the circumstances of his birth say who he would become.
Instead, we read he was more honourable than his brothers. I don’t know how honourable his brothers were – but he was more so. HE was not someone who caused pain but someone who lived honourably.
He also asked God for something. He wanted his border – his territory – his land to be enlarged. Simple request. And the Lord answered and granted what he asked.
Why? First – I believe it’s because he was honourable, he wasn’t asking out of selfish ambition. He clearly had a plan for the usage of the expanded territory. And also – he asked.
He lived a life that contradicted his name. His overcame his roots.
Live honourably – ask unselfishly. And God can do great things.
