“Jabez cried out to the God…“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.” – 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)
In 1st Chronicles 4:9, Jabez is introduced as a man more honorable than his brothers, even though his name means pain or sorrow. In verse 10 of the same chapter, this honourable man humbles himself and prays to God.
Jabez lived after the Babylonian exile and would have recognized certain limitations around him. But he knew what he wanted and asked God for precisely that. Let us examine this specific prayer to see what can be deduced that will benefit and impact our lives as individuals in this present age.
- “Oh, that thou would bless me” – according to research, in the Bible, a blessing is God’s divine favour, grace, or benefit bestowed upon someone or something, often leading to happiness, prosperity, protection, or spiritual well-being. It can be a declaration of good wishes, consecration, or a gift that empowers something to be fruitful and thrive. Biblical blessings encompass spiritual gifts like salvation and forgiveness, material provisions, healthy family life, and a deep sense of satisfaction in God. Based on these findings, we see the importance of asking God to bless us daily so that we can prosper spiritually and materially.
- “Enlarge my territory” – enlargement of territory can refer to an increase in physical space and environment. It can also be a request for expansion in our sphere of influence as kingdom citizens seeking to make positive impacts as we serve both in the sacred and secular.
- “Let your hand be with me” – The phrase “hand of God” in the Bible symbolises divine power, guidance, and presence. Key verses like Exodus 3:20 describe God stretching out His hand to demonstrate power, and Isaiah 49:16 shows God engraving people on His hands as a sign of constant care. Other passages, such as Isaiah 41:10 and Psalm 139:10, speak of God’s hand holding, guiding, and upholding people. Like Jabez, we need God’s hand to be upon us to preserve, keep, and guide us along life’s pathway.
- “Keep me from harm”– Evil is always present in this world, with evil forces seeking to harm and hinder our progress. The devil wants to destroy us so we will not fulfil our purpose. Jabez needed God to protect him, and we, too, require God’s protection from suffering and destruction. Additionally, we must examine ourselves constantly and ensure we do not demonstrate evil or harm to others.
- “So that I will be free from pain” – Jabez’s name meant pain, and he recognised that the only way he could change his destiny from negative to positive was through prayer. When we pray, we must ask God to intervene in our lives so that unfavourable circumstances from the past will not hinder our future endeavors.
God granted Jabez’s request!
When you pray, God will grant your request according to His will for your life (1st John 5:14-15). Jabez was very precise when he prayed, which is the posture you should have when approaching your Heavenly Father.
Be encouraged, fellow brothers and sisters. The same God Who answered Jabez so many years ago and changed his circumstances is available to answer you and change your circumstances when you call upon Him.
Read: Psalm 51:1; Daniel 2:17-18
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 106:32-39; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33; Isaiah 24; Isaiah 25; Isaiah 26