Walking in the Spirit of Jabez
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe
Although his story is told in only two verses in scripture,
Jabez’ message is powerful, life altering and filled with world-changing hope.
1 Chronicles 4:9-10:
“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his
mother called his name [Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain. ”And Jabez
called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and
enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep
me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested”
I Chronicles 4 lists the descendants of Judah. Judah was the
fourth son of Jacob. As Jacob lay dying, he prophesied over each of his 12
sons. Judah’s prophecy is found in Genesis
49:8-12: “Judah, may your
brothers praise you. May your hand be in the neck of your enemies. May
your father's sons bow before you. Judah is a lion's whelp. My son,
you have gone up from the prey. He stooped, he crouched like a lion; and like a
lioness, who shall rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor
a Lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come. And the obedience of the
peoples to him. Binding his foal to the vine, and his ass's colt to the
choice vine, he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of
grapes. His eyes shall be sparkling with wine, and his teeth white
from milk.”
Judah’s tribe will be victorious over their enemies. The
scepter signifies the kings in the line of Judah. David is the first; Jesus is the last. The feasting and the wine speak of
prosperity.
Jabez was born into the tribe of Judah, the tribe of kings.
Both Rahab and Ruth married into the tribe of Judah. David was a descendant of
Judah. Joseph, Mary and Jesus were members of the tribe.
In spite of the promises that had been declared over the
tribe of Judah, Jabez’ mother saw little hope for her son. He had been born in
pain. She expected that pain to continue. Jabez means “he will bring pain and
sorrow.”
We must be mindful of what we
speak over our children and grandchildren.
Likewise, we need to know who we are in the Lord and not take to heart
what the world may say about us as Christians.
Jabez did not let the words of his mother limit his life
expectations. He called on the God of Israel not only to bless him, but to
bless him INDEED. He asked for a big blessing. He asked God to increase his
territory, to increase his sphere of authority, to increase his ministry. Jabez
knew that he could not move effectively in his increase without the covering
and protection of the Lord. He asked for guidance (God’s hand.) He asked the
Lord to keep him from evil. Remember that the Lord Jesus taught us all to pray
for the Lord to deliver us from evil.
Jabez’ purpose for his increased territory and for the
Lord’s intervention in his life is that he would not cause pain, that he would
not walk in the curse that his mother had spoken over him. Jabez wanted to be
blessed in order to bless others.
We can learn from Jabez.
--No matter what our background might be, no matter what
others may have spoken over us, God still has a plan to give us a future and a
hope.
Jermiah
29:11-12: “For I know the purposes which I am purposing for you, says Jehovah;
purposes of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then
you shall call on Me, and you shall go and pray to Me, and I will listen to
you.”
--We cannot walk effectively in blessing without submitting
to God’s authority over our lives.
Psalm
37:3-4: Trust in God, and do good; you shall dwell in the land, and you
shall be fed on truth. Delight yourself also in God, and He shall give you
the desires of your heart.
--Our desire must be a determination to walk away from
evil—evil in both thought and action.
James
4:7-8: Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will
flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your
hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, double-minded ones.
--The purpose of our enlarged territory must be to
accomplish our calling without purposefully harming others.
We must ask ourselves some pertinent questions.
--Why do I want my domain to be increased?
--Am I willing to forgo my plans and to submit to God’s
plans and purposes?
--Am I desirous of walking away from evil thoughts,
conversations and actions?
--Can I honestly say that I do not wish pain on others?
God’s purpose is that we shine forth the glory, power,
authority and holiness of our Creator.
Isaiah 60:1- 2: Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the LORD will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.”
Because He loves us and wants the best for us, God desires
that we walk in the spirit of Jabez.
No comments:
Post a Comment