The apparently interminable genealogies of the early chapters of the first book of Chronicles are suddenly broken by the abrupt reference in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 to the prayer of Jabez. Apart from this solitary mention, nothing is known of Jabez, but the character and life of the man can well be judged from the record of the two verses. Born in sorrow, he was later recognized as being “more honorable than his brethren,” and his prayer marks him out as a man of God.
It would be difficult to find a more definite and comprehensive prayer in the Bible. There are four distinct petitions in this brief supplication. Jabez’s initial request was that God would truly and signally bless him–a request which really embraced the other three. He desired to experience, in reality, the fullness of divine blessing. Then he prayed that his coast might be enlarged–primarily a petition for an enlargement of family and inheritance, but also for what, as Dr. A. T. Pierson puts it, would be “equivalent to an increased measure of usefulness.” Thirdly, he prayed that God might be with him–that he might experience Divine help and co-operation in every undertaking of life. Lastly, the patriarch pleaded that he might be preserved from sinfulness; he desired real practical sanctification. The brief account closes with the word, “And God granted him that which he requested.”
The prayer of this descendant of Judah is one which might well be taken as a pattern by the Christian to-day. In so many cases, prayer is simply a string of aimless and inconclusive petitions, but the prayer of Jabez was direct, definite, and comprehensive.
“Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed,” pleaded Jabez. Blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies, the Spirit-taught believer is filled with the longing for a deeper appreciation and experience of divine blessing. The contrast of the transience of earthly things to the permanence and abiding character of celestial blessings, creates the desire for a real knowledge of the fullness of God’s blessing, and the Christian prays, with the apostle Paul, that he “might be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:19).
“Enlarge my coast,” was the second petition. One of the most vital needs of the Church today is an enlargement of coast. Oh, that there might be a divinely wrought enlargement of vision, heart, love, ministry and fellowship, that petty trivialities might be laid aside and the power of the Spirit realized.
“That Thine hand might be with me.” The patriarch sought God’s blessing on every undertaking and in every department of life. There is much which originates in self and the flesh. Can we pray for God’s blessing upon these things? If everything in life is judged with true heart-exercise, and an honest attempt made to do God’s will, this prayer may find its answer in the Christian’s life, and His blessing will be upon His child.
“That Thou wouldst keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me.” As a true-born Israelite, Jabez knew from experience that the slightest thing might defile one of God’s people. Contact with a bone, a dead body, or a grave resulted in ceremonial uncleanness (Num. 19:16), and in consequence, communion was severed, and approach to God was impossible until cleansing had been effected. All this naturally produced grief to the tender conscience, and Jabez prayed for preservation from evil that he might not be grieved.
The child of God early discovers the ease with which he may contract defilement, and the consequent severance of communion results in real sorrow of heart. Under the tuition of the Spirit, he realizes that preservation from evil can only come from God, and, like Jabez, he prays for this practical sanctification.
May the prayer of Jabez be that of every child of God, and may the answer be experienced in truth.