This morning, someone read the prayer of Jabez (1 Chro 4:9-10). It’s interesting how the person starts with saying that scholars can’t find any historical context to this. So what is presented in the passage, is all there is. So, not much can be written, except from what the text says.<\/p>\n
That leaves the interpretation on the hand of the interpreter. Since scholar can’t say much due to limited source. And the source only limited to 2 verses. And it makes it dangerous also to comment on something without clear reference..<\/p>\n
Somehow this morning, as the passage was being read. I got an interesting observation. It’s true that Jabez asked for blessing, enlargement of territory and God granted him his request. The easiest application would be to follow it exactly…to ask for God’s blessing and successful life. Second application would be to grow bigger, better influence, better in many things in life.<\/p>\n
But i think it’s misleading based on the short context that was given. All there is, is all that we need. First of all, Jabez cried out to the God of Israel. The term “God of Israel”, is referring to the God of Jacob. The God of covenant. Out of the long list of names, it’s noteworthy that only Jabez cried out to God of Israel. None of his fathers before did that. And so it’s no wonder that it get attention. Jabez cried out to the True God, and God answered him. The point is God of Israel is God…..others are not God. I think that’s probably the valid point the author is trying to make.<\/p>\n
And second thing, is what his prayer about. God of Israel answers prayer that others can’t give. The essence of Jabez prayer is to reverse his destiny. His name was given as reminder of bad occasion (pain in childbirth, which is the curse). And Jabez stood against it, and he asked for God’s blessing, and deliverance from pain. In the sense, his crying out to God against the destiny that his life would be painful life. Life has to make sense, and deep down he knows there’s God who can deliver him. So he cried out and answered.<\/p>\n
So i thought it shows two things: the power of God & the goodness of God.<\/p>\n
And therefore we all could have hope, that life can be changed with God. We don’t have to be controlled by “destiny” or “fate”. Our name is always reflection of our parent’s hope, and probably our character and personhood.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, out of unfortunate circumstances, we inherit a bad name….and Jabez prayer tells us to stand up against it. And God honors that prayer. He didn’t create mankind to suffer. God could change the destiny. Jabez that means pain was reverse to be no pain. He is God of reversal.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, sometimes, our name carries too heavy expectations that we unable to meet or fulfill. This too, i believe, God desires to answer. That we could live up to the name that we inherit. We may never think we could live up to it. But this prayer, inspire me that God could answer it so we could live up to our name.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This morning, someone read the prayer of Jabez (1 Chro 4:9-10). It’s interesting how the person starts with saying that scholars can’t find any historical context to this. So what is presented in the passage, is all there is. So, … Continue reading