1 Chronicles 4:9-10 The Prayer of Jabez
9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.
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Jabez’ mother named him “Jabez,” which means “pain,” “he makes sorrow” and “gives suffering and pain” in Hebrew. Jabez’ name is very different from the name of his forefather, Judah, whose mother Lea was so happy with him that she gave him a name meaning “Praise the Lord,” because he brought God’s mercy and blessing to her. Like Jabez, Jacob was named, “he cheats, supplants” at his birth. However, God gave him a new name, Israel, “he who strives with God, beings divine and human (NJV),” the people of God, after he wrestled with God. Other interpretations of the word’s root are “persevere,” “rule,” “be upright,” or “happy,” “blessed.” Who named you? What do you feel about your name?
Jabez’s name, “pain or suffering” turned out to be an honorable name. The good thing that he did was to turn and cry out to God all of his life. He boldly asked for four things in his prayer: God’s worldly and spiritual blessing; enlargement of his territory and power; God’s hand working for His miracles in his life; and God’s protection, keeping him from the harm and pain he had been struggling with since his birth.
God listened his prayer and granted all of his requests. Jabez’ miserable life has been changed by his honest prayer and by God’s love and mercy. Jabez became a well-respected and honorable man, who was to be an ancestor in the lineage of the kings’ tribe of Judah. I believe that God will answer our personal prayers too, if we really, truly, desperately, cry out to Him today. Amen.
Shalom,