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, NKJV.
Merciful God, like Jabez. please help us to seek a new identity; one that will honor You, and bring You glory! As we study Your Word, please teach us how! This we ask in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
I am almost certain that everyone have heard of the best seller, The Prayer of Jabez, by Dr. Bruce Wilkinson. It is quite possible, that most of you may even have read the book. I am not proud to say that I have not, but I will. I believe that in his book, Dr. Wilkinson’s emphasis, was on the content of Jabez’s prayer. Today, I would like to invite you to join me to take a close look at the name Jabez. We get a clue of what the name means from his mother’s comment about the circumstances of his birth, “and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” The NKJV’s marginal reading says that the name literally means, “He will cause pain.”
I would not have been very happy with a name like that, and perhaps neither would you. Every time someone called him by his name I can see the poor guy cringing. Can you imagine him introducing himself to someone, and having to watch the look of apprehension, to say the least, on the person’s face? Especially living in a culture where a name is almost a telltale of your character, life must have been somewhat difficult for Jabez. But Jabez grew from his challenges. How do I know that? By looking at the way he is introduced, and listening to his prayer.
Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers[.] Statements of this nature are very important in Scripture. At a glance, they prepare us for what is to follow. I believe it is also a qualifying statement. It serves as a buffer for the shock that his name produces, and at the same time, it prepares you for the content of his prayer, which is quite contrary to his name.
It is not the norm that one who causes pain, be considered honorable. To the contrary, they are looked upon as villains. I believe I can understand why Jabez would pray the way he did. I believe I can also understand why God would so readily answer his prayer. I see this prayer more as a plea for purity than for prosperity – as a cry for an opportunity than for opulence – as a need to advance rather than to have abundance.
The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, renders it this way, “And Jabez came to be more honorable than his brothers . . . And Jabez began to call upon the God of Israel. ” Emphasis supplied. This sounds like progressive action, like growth. Perhaps Jabez , like Jacob, had his night of wrestling. Both asked to be blessed, and both were blessed. One had a change of name – both had a change of character, which resulted in a change of destiny!
Scripture does not tell us what was Jabez’s condition before his change came. But it does speak of a change – God answered his prayer. And when God answers our prayers, we are never the same! I believe in the power of prayer! I truly believe that prayer changes things, including our destiny.
Tomorrow, we will look at the prayer of Jabez.