Prayer of Jebez
1. Bless Me Indeed
A. He prayed to God of Israel (to the One who changed the name of Jacob).
B. Jacob got alone to pray – get into the closet and close the door behind you and pour your heart out.
C. Jacob taught that God wrestle with men in prayer. God is in the business of bringing people to JABBOK-Pour out- to bless people - Pour out your heart- shed some tears, he will collect in bottle.
D. Jacob was taught that he was crippled – helpless and powerless without God – total dependence on God
E. Jacob was taught that he could wrestle with God and prevail, that he could demand God’s blessing:
· Blessing to inherit the promised land
· Blessing to inherit the promised seed
F. Jacob was taught that he had to become a new man, change the behavior
G. Jacob asked God for more, asked God to confirm his deep experience: by revealing His name, the very name of God Himself (v.29).
H. The results of Jacob’s prevailing prayer (v.30-32).
I. He change the name of the place to PENIEL(meaning face of God) - meet God face to face
· Jacob named the place Peniel,
· Jacob was given two signs to commemorate his experience with God: a sunrise and his crippling.
· Jacob became a testimony to others
2. Enlarge my coast- Joshua 17:14-18
· There is also a City of Judah called Jabez 1 Chr. 2:55 -
· James 4:2 James 4:2 “Ye have not, because ye ask not.”
· Some believers become borderline believers
· Perizzites – People with no vision(village people)
· Rephaites - Land of Giants, old race of Giants (for generations these giants were fighting with them. From the time of Abraham)
· Ephraim and Manasseh (tribes)
· 16 The people of Joseph replied, “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have iron chariots, both those in Beth Shan (“house of ease” ) and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel. (“God sows” )” -(compare this with the statement of Caleb)
· They were “at ease at Zion” Josh. 17:16
· Spirit of Inactivity, Spirit of Slothfulness, Spirit of self-satisfaction, Spirit of Idleness.
· They became complacent, lethargic, sluggish and apathetic.
· To possess the promise land it requires the activity of the tribes. Otherwise, full inheritance could not be possessed.
· We must not gripped with a spirit of pride(self exaltation is a sin)
· We must not be “ease at Zion” it will be cursed by God.
· We must be zealous for God. We must persevere; endure until we inherit the full inheritance promised by God.
3. Let Your hand be with me
· Hand of God
· Ps 119:173, Isaiah 41:10, Joh 10:28 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
· Psalm 119:173 “Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.”
· John 10:28 “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
· To give the right hand was a pledge of fidelity (2 Kings 10:15; Ezra 10:19);
· The right hand was lifted up in taking an oath (Gen. 14:22). The hand is frequently mentioned, particularly the right hand, as a symbol of power and strength (Ps. 60:5; Isa. 28:2).
· To kiss the hand is an act of homage (1 Kings 19:18; Job 31:27), and to pour water on one’s hands is to serve him (2 Kings 3:11). The hand of God is the symbol of his power:
· The right hand being upon one denotes favor (Ezra 7:6, 28; Isa. 1:25; Luke 1:66, etc.)
· A position at the right hand was regarded as the chief place of honor and power (Ps. 45:9; 80:17; 110:1; Matt. 26:64).
· Jesus touched the leper with his hand and healed beyond the law, beyond the rules he came an touched me.
· Moses in the cleft of the rock (Ex. 33)
· Protecting hand (Ps 139:9 I) was able to experience the glory of God in my life.
· Jesus used his hand to reach to Peter who was drowning in the water. He came to help in my weakness.
· You are in the hand of Jesus (wounded hand)
· I do not need to fear anything any more.
· Guiding hand Ps.139:9, 10 – when you do not know how to make a step – like a Dad, he will hold your hand and lead you to the future.
· Hand that picked me up and put me on the shoulder – good shepherd.
· Jesus showed the hand to the disciples to prove his resurrection.
· This hand gives us hope for future (the eternity)
4. Keep Me from Evil
· Psalm 121:4 “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”
· Psalm 121:7 “The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.”
· Acts 12:7 Story of Peter
“And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.”
· Herod can not touch Peter - there is a promise for Peter
· Story of Paul and Silas – In prison
· Life of Job – there is a fence in your life. But, you can declare victory in the BLOOD of Jesus.
· Satan asked permission to swift Peter like wheat, but Jesus interceded for him. He still intercedes for us at the right side of Father.
· Satan still continues to ask permission to swift your and your family –
· Acts 12
o Herod took Peter and kept him until the Passover was over
o There is a Passover between your capture and trial
o Satan took MAN and kept for hell – but there was a Passover to pass before the trial – CROSS
o It happened during the time of Unleavened bread festival.
o What is unleavened bread feast – Exodus 12:17
o Celebrate your separation from Egypt
o Yeast show your sin – no sin in your life – bring Joy
o Jews came out from the bondage of Egypt and singing about it.
o Church was praying – not gossiping
o Church is awake and Peter is sleeping.
o Angel said put your robe – robe of righteousness
o Angel said put your Sandals – to work for the Lord
o Angel came and brought light to the dark room.
§ God is bringing light to your situation. E.g., Paul on the journey to Rome and angel came to show the way.
o He open the door for Peter – God is opening a new door for you.
§ Rhoda open the door
§ People were praying and did not expect miracles.
§ God is opening the door for you but you need to be willing to take it.
o Herod’s death
o Acts: 12:24 – Word of the Lord continued to spread.
o Peter’s name is out of the picture – Only Word of the Lord is matters in the book of the Lord – Peter is not significant.
o Word is more important than Peter.
5. Keep me from grief - keep me from pain
· His name means cause pain to others.
o With or without knowledge how many times we cause pain to others. If you cause pain to others ask forgiveness.
o If you have anything against someone, talk to him or her. 90% of the time the information is false. You might be accusing an innocent person and that person may be grieving because of you.
o I wanted to be a blessing to other people.
· I wanted to be free of pain in my life.
o Give me more grace in my life.
o Let me experience the peace, joy and love (fruit of the Spirit) in my life.
