1 Chronicles 4:9-10 And Jabez was more honorable than his brothers: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him with sorrow.… It is not much that we know of Jabez, but I think that in this recorded history of that man there is suggested to us something of as solemn warning and of as blessed consolation as you will find within the range of God's holy book. I. THE LESSON OF THE SAME GIVEN TO HIM. Jabez — "sorrow." It was to her best and worthiest son that the mother of Jabez gave the name that implied how little hope of future happiness with him or through him remained in her weary, despairing heart. We can think of a contrasted picture: you remember the proud and hopeful name which the mother of our race gave to her firstborn son; you know how much of confident hope was expressed in the name of Cain. "Possession" she called him — a great thing gained from God — who was yet so sorely to wring her heart. Ever thus are human anticipations, whether of good or ill; the first murderer welcomed with the hopeful name of Cain, while this wise and good and happy man was to bear the desponding name of Jabez. How often we call by hard names dispensations of God's providence, which in reality are to prove great blessings. probably in many cases those events in our history, those dealings of God with us, which we should call sorrowful at the time, stand us in more real stead, and do us more real good, than the brightest and happiest that ever come in our way. II. We shall next consider THE PRAYER WHICH JABEZ OFFERED AND WHICH GOD GRANTED HIM. What a wise and what a safe prayer! Send me that which Thou knowest is blessing, though it may not seem blessing to me; and deny me that which Thou knowest is not blessing, however ready!, in my ignorance, may be to think it so. 1. The spirit of this prayer is that of confidence in God and unqualified acquiescence in His appointment. This is a lesson of how we ought to pray. You know, generally, the direction in which to steer; but you cannot say what little movement of the helm may be expedient from time to time, to suit each passing gust of wind, or each crossing wave. And it is just because we do not know these things that it is so wise to leave the decision of the precise thing to be sent us, as Jabez did, to God; and to pray with him that God would bless us "indeed." 2. The next two petitions imply a great and sound principle — the duty of combining effort with prayer. When we are desirous to compass any new attainment, when we wish to enlarge our coast, as it were, by taking in greater fields of faith, of holiness, of patience, of humility, of all Christian grace — in regard to all which we may well take up Joshua's words,"that there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed," let us do like Jabez; working like him as if we could do all, and praying as if we could do nothing. The wisdom of Jabez appeared in that he put prayer and effort together. 3. The last petition is for deliverance from true evil — and from the evil effects and influences of all evil. He does not ask that evil may never come; but that evil may not be suffered to really harm when it comes. Evil coming and trying us may do us great good; but Jabez prayed, and we may pray, that evil should not grieve us. We may pray that evil may never be suffered to harden us; to stir us up to wrath against God; to make us fretful, rebellious, impatient; to tempt us to sin; in short, to do us harm when God intends it always to do us good. It was for this that Jabez prayed. (A. K. H. Boyd, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. |
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