The Prayer of Jabez

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MsLynn

MsLynn

Junior Member
May 25, 2017
25
4
3
Arkansas
I am studying on The Prayer of Jabez... 1 Chron 4:9-10. I am not studying this in a Prosperity Sermon way, I believe it is much more than that and I was wanting to get thoughts on this?

9: Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, "Because I bore him with pain." 10: Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!" And God granted him what he requested.

 
The problem I see with the prayer of Jabez is that the protective hedge from God will hinder his spiritual growth due to not having endured and overcome, with the grace of God, the trials and tribulations that most of us face in our life.

This was Satan's contention when talking to God about Job. He inferred that Job only loved God because God had placed a hedge around him and that he didn't understand about hardship and heartache. Continuing on Satan said that if God removed the hedge that Job would eventually curse God.

Satan was wrong. Job's friends were wrong also in saying that Job must have greatly sinned to have all of the sudden calamity fall on him.

What doesn't kill us can only make us stronger. This saying may not be biblically correct but I believe from my own experience that it contains an element of truth.
 
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That's really good tourist. I agree with this. Not that He brings them...but He allows.
 
I believe the end result of any trial is to see Him as He is...and to know we can believe His Word. That's the overcoming life.

But, I wouldn't accept everything that comes our way as His will. We would have His hedge of protection all the time if we had total trust in what He says.
 
What I observed from the prayer was the "enlarge" part. I have prayed that God would enlarge my border(s) for ministry. And he did. He opened doors that I didn't even see.

Jabez did not have the Holy Spirit indwelling him as we do. We do not need to pray that the hand of God be upon us - it always is when we are abiding in Christ. We are also kept from harm. We have been "delivered from the powers of darkness". It only means that trials will not have the final word and overpower us. That we have the victory through Christ.
 
Very good points... The scripture ends with saying "And God granted him what he requested." and in one translation it is stated as "that He may keep me from pain"... not saying that pain wouldn't come to him but that he wouldn't cause pain to others like his name stated. I don't read the scripture as saying that he is wanting God to keep him from trouble but he's wanting God to keep him from hurting or troubling others...? I actually prefer the NKJV myself... Probably should have posted that one first... God calls him more honorable that his brothers and doesn't mention any more of Jabez's family... I feel like there is significance in that and it isn't just negative... Just my thoughts..

[h=1]1 Chronicles 4:10New King James Version (NKJV)[/h][FONT=&quot]10 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.[/FONT]
 
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Joidevivre said:
What I observed from the prayer was the "enlarge" part. I have prayed that God would enlarge my border(s) for ministry. And he did. He opened doors that I didn't even see.

Jabez did not have the Holy Spirit indwelling him as we do. We do not need to pray that the hand of God be upon us - it always is when we are abiding in Christ. We are also kept from harm. We have been "delivered from the powers of darkness". It only means that trials will not have the final word and overpower us. That we have the victory through Christ.
Click to expand...

I really appreciate this... Thank you... When God laid it on my heart to study this, it was during a time in my life with my husband that was very difficult, but I felt God saying that He was enlarging my territory for ministry (much like you said)... I never took this as a prosperity teaching but as a teaching on God allowing trials and things to happen that can help us testify to others of God's goodness! If we let God lead us and help us not to hurt others our testimony will reach further...
 
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