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.… I. HIS CHARACTER. "More honourable than his brethren." He was more pious. Piety is honourable. 1. For by "humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life." 2. As it engages us in the most glorious employments. 3. As it interests us in the most glorious privileges. 4. As it interests us in the most glorious rewards. II. HIS PRAYER. Notice — 1. The object of his worship — "the God of Israel." He was not an idolater. He was grateful, he remembered God's kindness to Israel. He confided in God's sufficiency. 2. The contents of his prayer, or what he asked. We, like Jabez, ought to — (1) Implore God's covenant blessings — the pardon of sin and conformity of heart and life to God's laws (Hebrews 8:10, 12). These are blessings indeed (Psalm 32:1-2; Psalm 89:15, 16; James 1:25). (2) Implore enlargement of heart, by the entire subjugation and utter destruction of every evil propensity (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 119:32). (3) Implore God's hand with you, to direct and lead you in all your difficulties (Job 27:11; Hebrews 8:9; Psalm 123:2); to supply all your wants (Psalm 114:16); to support you under all your trials (Psalm 37:23-24); and to keep you in all your exercises (Isaiah 12:10). (4) Implore protection from all evil (Matthew 6:18; Psalm 17:7; Psalm 121:7; Proverbs 19:23). (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermmons.) 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. |
    |