The Church 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. THE MATTER OF IT, OR THE THINGS ASKED FOR. 1. He begins by asking God to bless him. "Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed." He would want that blessing on himself personally, on his house, and on all his avocations. He knew that the blessing of God maketh rich; and he knew quite as well that nothing could really and permanently prosper without that blessing. 2. He prays for enlargement. "And enlarge my coast." Both temporal and spiritual. Give me a larger heart; broader views of Thyself, of Thy ways, and of Thy purposes; and a wider sphere of sympathy, influence, and usefulness. "Thou hast enlarged me," says the Psalmist, "when I was in distress," And Paul, when writing to the Corinthians, as to his children, pleadingly entreats, "Be ye also enlarged." It is neither pleasant nor advantageous to be cooped up within narrow bounds. 3. He seeks Divine co-operation. "And that Thine hand may be with me." That Thy power may second and give effect to my poor energies. What can my hand do without Thee? But Thine is the hand that has created and sustains the universe. 4. He implores Divine protection. "And that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me." II. THE MANNER OF THIS PRAYER. "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying," etc. We altogether like the tone and spirit of this prayer. 1. There is the devout reverence of it. "Oh that Thou wouldest." The Divine name is not so much as mentioned. He knew he was coming to the God of Israel, and that He is a great and holy and terrible God. And we can recognise the cry of a heart too full of pious awe to allow His hallowed name to escape the lips of the suppliant. This reverence should characterise all our approaches to God. 2. There is the spiritual wisdom of it. Jabez puts things in their right places; and what was for him the most important thing, first. Nothing could, in his esteem, antedate the blessing of God; hence he will put that first. "Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed." And was he not perfectly right in this? Did it matter what God gave him if He withheld that blessing from him? 3. There are the speciality and comprehensiveness of it. It takes a wide sweep, and yet does not lose sight of what is most specific and particular. 4. At the same time there is the brevity of it. So specific, so comprehensive, and yet so brief. Assuredly Jabez recognised the solemn fact that God is in heaven, and man upon the earth, and therefore that his words should be few. 5. There is the earnestness of it. "Oh that," etc. It comes directly out of his heart, and breathes the very spirit of desire. 6. There is the faith which inspired it, and which runs through it like a living soul. This man in coming to God believes that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. III. THE SUCCESS OF THIS PRAYER. "And God granted him that which he requested." 1. That he has come to a God who is as ready to give as He is to ask. 2. That he has come to a God who is as comprehensive in His gifts as He is in His desires. 3. That he has come to a God who never forgets His promises to those that seek Him. 4. That he has come to a God who will honour those with His benefactions who honour Him with their confidence and trust. Allow me, then, to propose Jabez to you as an example, and Jabez's prayer as a model prayer. You have the same God to go to, and you have far greater light to guide you to Him than Jabez had. You have all gospel promises to encourage you. You have the new and living way thrown open to you. You have the Holy Spirit to teach and help you. You have the great Advocate to plead for you. (The Church.) 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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