1 Chronicles 4:9&10

The Prayer of Jabez

 As we wade through what seems to be an endless list of names we find an oasis in these two verses about Jabez. Much has been written and taught about the prayer of Jabez. Indeed, at least one book has been written about Jabez’s prayer. Could what he prayed and how he prayed it be an example to us as to how to pray and be blessed by God?  Let’s take a closer look.

The name Jabez means son of pain or sorrowful. We are told he was more honorable than his brothers. The Hebrew word translated honorable means weighed down. In a good sense it means weighed down with glory. In a bad sense it means weighed down with sin and guilt.  Both are used in the Bible.

 He asked God to keep him from harm and that he would be kept from pain. The word translated pain or grieve, depending on the translation we are reading was used to describe the emotions the brothers of Joseph felt when they found out that the brother they sold into slavery was second in command in Egypt as they stood before him, asking for food. It was also used in Nehemiah 8:10 to express how the people felt when they heard the Torah being read to them for the first time in a long time. The word translated evil or harm, means something of inferior quality. I think these words give us an idea of what Jabez was asking God for in his prayer. He wanted to grow in his relationship with God. This would certainly be a prayer God could bless.

I think there is a danger in reading verses like these and thinking we have found the key to obtaining the blessing of God. If it worked for Jabez and I pray the same thing it will work for me kind of thinking. But what is at the core of our request? Certainly we do not want to be harmed by the enemy and we would like things to go smoothly in life so we would not have to experience pain. I understand this and have looked at this prayer from that standpoint, but am I looking at it from a serving God standpoint? Often, it is the storms in life that cause us to grow and increase our borders.

I can’t help but wonder if Paul prayed a prayer right before he stepped on that ship bound for Rome in Acts 27. He got on as a prisoner bound by chains. Other people were in charge of where he went and how he was going to get there. He had to go along with whatever they decided. Escaping from a ship is not an option, but God was about to change things. God sent a storm and the people began to fear for their lives as the storm drove them along. They went days without seeing the sun or eating. During this time though, Paul had a strange peace. The Lord was with him and even though Paul had to go through the storm God was keeping him from harm. All through the storm God enlarged Paul’s border from the confinement as a prisoner to the one who had the words of wisdom and became the leader they were willing to listen to. Through the storm God used Paul to bring glory to Himself.

In our travel through the Bible we see that God is doing a similar thing to the people of Israel. Though they are in exile in Babylon and all seems lost, God is going to bring them out and enlarge their borders, but first He has to get their attention. The people of Israel are weighed down with guilt and sin. Their hard unbelieving heart that would not seek God or listen to Him is being broken. He is reminding the people of who they are in His eyes and His plan for them. God is doing what it takes to make them willing to listen so He can bless them. The same may well be true for the Church as we read in Revelation 3:20, it is God standing at the door knocking. God wants a relationship with His people but are His people listening?

God does want to bless His people. It is important that we pray with a right heart. If we treat this prayer like it is a genie in a bottle we are praying with a wrong heart focused on self.  It is important that we pray in accordance with God’s will for us and seek to glorify God by doing His will. We must always remember, God is God and we are His servants and His ambassadors to this world. May He bless our work for Him and increase our borders, even if that means there are storms we must go through. May we not be afraid or harmed. Psalm 23

May God’s Kingdom come and His will be done in our lives.

Pastor Dave

1 Chronicles 7-9

Time Out

Today in Chapter 9 we read that all Israel was listed by Genealogies and even though Judah had been carried to Babylon in exile because they were unfaithful, God knows where each of His children are. Jesus said in Matthew 10:30 that the very hairs on our head are numbered. The context of this verse though is not about hair but our value to God. As children of God we are to serve and honor Him. By these actions we represent Him to the world around us. Jesus warned that we would receive push back and opposition. We are not to let that distract or discourage us from what God has called us to do.

Both Israel and Judah got distracted from their God-given purpose and ended up in time out. Time out is not the end, it is a stop on the way that allows us to regroup and set things in order. Being enrolled in the Genealogies reminds the people that they are children of God. I think David had spent some time in time out when he wrote Psalm 139 where he writes in verse 14, I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully made; Wonderful are Thy works, And my soul knows it very well. NASB

When we, the children of God, get off track we too can expect that God will take action. He loves us too much to let us go to our destruction even if it means time out and isolation. In time out it seems like nothing is happening. It is like being stuck in the mud. We are spinning our wheels exerting much energy but getting nowhere. When we are stuck in the mud spinning our wheels only makes things worse. This is a case where continuing to do the same thing over and over expecting a different result is insanity. God knows we need to make a change and we are not going anywhere until we do.

Of course this is not about how to get your car free from being stuck in the mud. It is about our relationship with God. When we drift from God and go our own way we suffer greatly. We see “life” in the things the world promises only to end up frustrated and trapped because the world cannot give life. If we continue down this road in life soon our relationships with friends, spouses, and family will suffer to the point where we find ourselves even more isolated. If we don’t stop there we will start to think everything depends on us. Of course, along this path, we are trying everything the world has to offer to alleviate the pain we are causing ourselves, but these things bring harm and usually enslave. Isolated and alone, there is only one thing to do, go back to where we got off course in our relationship with God. We need to be careful that we go back in humble surrender to His will. Our old controlling nature will want to take control of God and make Him do our will. Obviously God is not going to allow that, but the blind insanity we have developed on our path down cannot see the obvious. There must be surrender and that is the purpose of time out. When we get tired of time out and are willing to listen, God will lead us out and that is what is happening in Chapter 9.

In Chapter 9 we read that Israel is starting to return. We gather from this that an important change has taken place. No longer are the nations divided. No longer are they fighting with each other or isolating from each other. Once the relationship with God is set right, other relationships can be restored as well. In Psalm 133:1, we read, Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!  NASB

As we continue in Chapter 9 we read that the first ones to return are the priests and Levites. God has called them for specific tasks according to His plan and purpose. This is also a sign that the relationship with God has been restored. They are serving God according to His plan and call and not their plan.

In 1 Corinthians 12-14 we read that God has a plan for his people and has gifted them accordingly. Chapter 12 describes the gifts and Chapter 13 describes how these gifts are to be administered. Chapter 14 warns of some of the abuses that will result if envy and jealousy are allowed to displace the law of love for God and others.

The greatest commandment Jesus said was to love God with all we are and have. The second commandment is to love one another. We cannot do the second commandment without doing the first on an ongoing basis.  It is no accident that 1 Corinthians 13 is in the middle of these two chapters on spiritual gifts. Just as the tabernacle was set up with all the Levites and then the tribes camped around it, so too, God is to be in the center of our life leading and empowering all we are doing. Each clan of the Levites had a different ministry as did each of the tribes. It is God that held them together and led them. As they remained close to Him, they went forth in unity.

The same is true for us individually and the Church. God knows His children better than we  know ourselves. He has gifted each of us according to His plan and our abilities that He has given us. We must surrender our will and follow God. If we try to lead God we will find ourselves off course but on course for time out!

Pastor Dave