Insight Paper: A Great Time to Pray! Author: Ron R. Ritchie Insight Papers Index

A Great Time to Pray!

Context: 1 Chronicles was written by The Prophet Ezra (430 BC). The events in this book supplement the events in 2 Samuel. Ezra lists the "Who was Who" in Israel's history in order to unify the nation beginning with Adam -- Saul (1:1-9:44) and the story of David. (10:1-29:30).

Ezra wanted to show Israel that they were all
    • one family in Adam,
    • one nation in Abraham, and
    • one priesthood under Levi, and
    • one kingdom under David.

as they returned from the Babylonian captivity to Israel (400 BC).

In the context it appears that Jabez lived in the days of Judges (1375 BC) when "the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" (Judges 6:1). This dating is based on the fact that Othniel the first Judge of Israel (1:9-15) is listed after Jabez in (I Chron.4:13).

A. Jabez's Background: We know that Jabez was of the tribe of Judah (4:1). We also know that all the other genealogies recorded the names of the fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters but this is not true in the case of Jabez. His grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, and brothers names are not mentioned. So there is a picture of a man without his known roots, within the tribe of Judea. All of us who have few if any family roots know the feeling of being rootless. When he was bom his mother named him Jabez which means in Hebrew "He makes me sorrowfull", or "He brings me pain, grief or disgrace". Within the Jewish Law there is the issue of the first born being given a double portion of his father's inheritance. (Deut 21-Num 27).

If he were the "firstborn" it would have been mentioned as in the family of Huz (v.4) We have no sense from this passage that Jabez was the first born based on his prayer for enlarged territory, only the fact that he had brothers who were "less honorable" while he was "more honorable". (More trustworthy, more ethical, more honest, more just, more truthful).

B. Jabez's Circumstances: This honorable man looked around at his immediate circumstances:

    • He had received no blessing from his parents, only the daily reminder that he caused them sorrow and pain.

    • He apparently had inherited or worked for a small piece of territory for his sheep and herds but lie began to feel "locked in" and without any hope that he would be able to secure any more land.

    • He lived in a ungodly society, among dishonest brothers and had no spiritual shepherd to guide him in righteousness or to guard him from harm. (evil) and more pain.

So rather then be held captive by
    • his sorrowful parents,
    • his small territory,
    • his dishonest brothers and
    • his godless society

he turned to the one and only living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Israel who lives above and beyond his current realities but who was and is always willing to become involved with him and us when we come to Him in prayer. As the curtains of the past open we find a shepherd talking to the Good Shepherd.

Jabez's Prayer in the Midst of Stress

1. Oh that you would Bless me -- My Father and Mother have not blessed me, my brothers have not blessed me, so dear God of Israel, the one and only living God, would you please bring blessing upon me and my family like you blessed Adam and Eve (Gen 1:28). Would you give me spiritual and emotional health, and extend to me your grace and mercy and prosper me? You are the only one on earth that I can turn to. David would later pray to this same God. For my mother and father have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me up. (Ps. 27:10). The Psalmist wrote: He will bless those who fear the Lord, the small with the great. May the Lord give you increase, You and your children. (115:13-15). Later David who had come out of a difficult trial with King Saul would write: Psalm 145:17-19 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

2. Enlarge my territory -- Jabez may have been given a small portion of land in his inheritance or he may have been able to purchase a small field for his flocks of sheep and herds of cattle. But in time he found he needed more land as his flocks and herds grew in number. So he turned to the Lord again Enlarge my territory dear Lord for perhaps lie was thinking - then

• I will be given more opportunities to bless your name by providing jobs for young shepherds,
• I may have spiritual influence at the gates of the elders and this community.
• I may have more opportunities to give some of my resources to the poor, the widow, and the alien.

This godly man really wanted his life to count for the glory of God. He wanted his fences kicked out, he wanted his life to have a broader influence then it was presently having. He had a deep spiritual sense that God wanted him to live the abundant life. He did not want to go back into his history but he wanted to become part of God's exciting future.

3. Let your hand be with me -- Would you be my guide, my shepherd, my counselor , for within myself I'm not sure which way to go in the future but I know I don't want to stand still.

• The Psalmist wrote: "...I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With your counsel You will guide me... (Ps. 73:24)

• The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)

4. Keep me from harm so that I will he free from pain. When I was born I caused my parents sorrow and pain so in the future dear God would you please guard me from evil (harm) so that I will be free from spiritual and emotional pain or disgrace. "Lead me not into temptation. but deliver us from the evil one. (Matt. 6:13)

Conclusion: And God granted his request "Blessed are those who are poor in spirit, spiritually bankrupt, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 5:3)

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