By Robin Sam
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).
JABEZ is a relatively little known character to us modern-day Christians. But in his times and much later during the days of Ezra, he was still well known because the writer of 1 Chronicles begins the story of Jabez rather abruptly, without an elaborate genealogy or background. His parents are not named, although his mother is mentioned. The meaning of the name Jabez was ‘sorrow.’ His mother named him thus saying she bore him in pain. Three children are named in the Bible because of the pain they caused or the misfortune that struck their families before their birth. One of them is Jabez. The other two are mentioned in Genesis 35:18 and 1 Chronicles 7:20-23. Jacob’s wife Rachel named her last born as Benoni while she was dying. Benoni means ‘son of my sorrow.’ However, Jacob quickly renamed him as Benjamin (‘son of the right hand’). After two of Ephraim’s sons were killed by Gathites, he had another son. He named him Beriah (meaning ‘noisy’) because tragedy had struck his family.
Although Jabez lived with the rather unfortunate name for the rest of his life, he decided to do something about the nature of his life. So, he prayed. He prayed to the God of Israel. The prayer of Jabez is rather simple and direct. It would not get the approval of those who are used to big words and lofty theology in prayer. The Pharisees of Jesus’ time would have frowned upon this prayer for sure. But Jabez knew what he wanted in his life and he decided to go to God and do something about it. That’s prayer. Prayer is a place where you humble yourself and seek help from above, from the Maker of the heavens and the earth.
The Bible tells us that Jabez was more honorable than his brethren. It is not to say his siblings were unworthy fellows, just that Jabez was more honorable than them. If Jabez’s mother were alive when he was considered honorable, she would have been one happy soul. The son that caused her so much sorrow gladdened her heart by his conduct. What more can a parent ask for?
In what way was Jabez honorable?
1. Perhaps in his learning.
In 1 Chronicles 2:55, we read about a city called Jabez. Perhaps it was built by Jabez or someone from his family after him. The Bible says clans of the scribes lived at Jabez. Scribes were learned men. They memorized the Scriptures. They were consulted by both the royalty and the common folk to know the mind of the Lord because of their knowledge of the holy book. Jabez, who knew a lot about prayer and got what he asked for, must have surely been a diligent scholar of the Word himself.
2. Definitely by his piety.
Jabez was a praying man. His mother had a miserable life. He had a miserable name. But, he knew the One who could change his life and destiny. He went to God and prayed. No wonder, he was considered more honorable than his brethren. ‘The way to be truly great is to be truly good and pray much,’ said someone once.
Now, look closely at the prayer of Jabez.
He prayed to the Living God, the God of Israel. The God of Israel is a covenant keeping God and a prayer answering God.
He prayed like Jacob (Read Genesis 28:20-22).
He prayed for 4 things: Blessing. An enlargement of his coast. God’s hand to be with him. And to be kept away from evil.
Now, who doesn’t want blessings in his life? Jabez wanted to be blessed and he prayed and he got what he wanted. Several hundred years ago, God had promised Abraham that He would bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him (Gen. 12:3). He knew as the descendant of Abraham, he had a right to be blessed because of God’s grace that extends to a thousand generations (Deut. 7:9).
Why should one pray for an enlargement of one’s coast? Jabez wanted to pour out of his life into the service of God. He wanted to be useful not just to those around him but also to those who were far away. Jabez wanted to use his influence not just in his clan or town but to those who were miles away from him. The last command of the risen Lord to His disciples was this: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20).
He prayed for God’s hand to be with him. While Moses was pronouncing blessings upon the tribe of Judah, he said this to say: “Hear, Lord, the voice of Judah, and bring him to his people; Let his hands be sufficient for him, and may You be a help against his enemies.” (Deut. 33:7). Moses prayed, ‘Let Judah’s hands be sufficient for him.’ That’s a good prayer, but Jabez knew a better prayer. He simply prayed for God’s hands to be with him, so the work of his hands will be blessed and his own hands will be sufficient for him.
Jabez prayed to God to keep him from evil. In the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples one of the last points was this: ‘but deliver us from the evil one.’ (Matthew 6:13). Our Lord knew the evil one will play havoc in the life of believers in the last days. Hence, he implored us to pray this prayer: “So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36). Keep me from evil is the summation of the promises mentioned in Psalm 91:3-16.
God granted Jabez that which he requested.
Isaiah 59:1 tells us: “Behold the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.’
The God of Jabez is waiting to hear our prayers today.
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