1 Chronicles 4 v. 9 & 10 Jabez
Note:-
1. Jabez Problem - His Name - sorrowful -
"Because I bare him with sorrow"
See the
(a) Reason for his Name - bourne with sorrow
(b) Reproach of his Name - John Newton "God often takes a course for accomplishing His purposes directly contrary to what our narrow views would prescribe. He brings a death upon our feelings, wishes and prospects when He is about to give us the desire of our hearts."
(c) Response to his Name - "And Jabez was more honourable than his brethern" i.e.
He had a:-
closer walk with God, clearer worship of God, a keener want for God
2. Jabez Prayer - His Need -
v. 10 "And Jabez called on the God of Israel." i.e.
(a) He Recognised God's Person - "the God of Israel"
Exodus 3 v. 14 & 15 "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations."
A God of promise, a God of purpose and a God of power
(b) He Eulogised God's Power "Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast"
Note:-1 Corinthians 3 v. 6 "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase."
(c) He Prioritised God's Presence -
"That thine right hand might be with me"
Exodus 33 v. 13 - 16 "Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth."
- God's presence
A Symbol of Recognition - v. 13 "Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people."
A Surety of Rest - v. 14 "And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest."
A Sign of Redemption - v. 16 "For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth."
(d) He Authorised God's Protection - "that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me"
(1) The Danger of Sin
(2) The Deceitfulness of Sin i.e. it takes God's protection
Jude 24 "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,"
(3) The Deadliness of Sin - "grieve me"
(4) The Deliverance from Sin - "That thou" is found in Christ alone"
John 6 v. 67 & 68 "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."
3. Jabez Prize - "And God granted him that which he requested" See :- God's Grace - "God granted"
God's Greatness - God granted as only he could
God's Glory - "that which he requested"
i.e. According to the Word of God
According to the Will of God
According to the Work of God
J. Wesley:- "One thing to do find the will of God and do it."
