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..."Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory!" - 1 Chronicles 4:10
Although he is mentioned only once in a brief description in the Old Testament, he was a man whom God saw as worthy of a request that had significant consequences for him and his family. His name was Jabez.
Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request (1 Chronicles 4:9-10). Jabez must have been quite a man with incredible integrity and purity of heart, because it is rare to have a life without pain. Pain is often necessary for us to mature.
Often when we think of territory, we think of land or something you have control over. We know that Jesus often spoke about giving responsibility based on what we do with the little things first. So we could assume Jabez might have been a very responsible person. God describes him as honorable. He was a man who knew what it meant to press into God and ask for God's favor with passion. God saw the heart of this man and gave him his request. His borders were enlarged! He lived a life free from pain.
God will enlarge a person's territory when He knows that person will use it responsibly. He will steward what is given in the light of God's Kingdom (according to God’s plan and purpose). God truly wants to increase our territory to have greater influence in the world around us. That territory can mean personal influence and/or physical territories.
Are you this kind of person? Can God enlarge your territory and entrust you to use it for His purposes? Ask God today to enlarge your territory. Ask Him to make you the kind of man or woman who is worthy of such trust. Examine your heart…What do you ask for of this life? What is the desire that drives you, the passion that motivates you to get up and face everyday? When Solomon was given the opportunity to ask the Lord for anything he desired, he asked for wisdom. Because he asked for the right thing with the right heart, God gave him a wise discerning heart. Are you willing to take hold of life that is truly life? To steward everything you have and everything you are for the sake of Jesus Christ and His kingdom? When you refer to the “Father the Son and the Holy Spirit” are you referring to God Himself or some concept about Him? Let us meditate on John 17, devoted entirely to the prayer of intercession. By examining what Jesus prayed for us, we could learn something including how to intercede for others. Amen? |
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| November 25, 2007 |
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Interesting blog my friend!
Rarely do we hear mention of Jabez. I used to say this prayer over my own life. In fact I still do at times.
I have heard portions of this verse translated slightly differently though. The New King James translates it as follows:
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.
The way I have always thought was that his name literally meant "caused pain". In biblical times, a man and his name were very closely related. My understanding is that Jabez was asking God to give him a new name, so-to-speak. His desire was that he would not cause others pain.
I mentioned that I used to occasionally say this prayer. And mainly for the above reason. I spent many, many years of my life in self-centeredness, manifested by additions. Because of that condition, I brought much pain, not only to my family, but to almost everyone who tried to get close to me. When I pray the prayer of Jabez, I normally put the most emphasis on "grant me that I may not bring pain to another"
As of today though, I see that there are other translations that do not agree with this. The King James says "that it may not grieve me". I suppose it could be interpreted that bringing other pain is what grieved him.
Thanks for bringing this passage of scripture back into the light. I have a little book entitled "The Prayer of Jabez" in my library. I think I'll pull it out today and see if I can get a new revelation.
May your roots continue to grow down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love! (EPH 3:16)
Michael |
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| November 28, 2007 |
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| Amen! |
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