Prayer - That Thou Wouldest Bless Me Indeed! (jkj 004)
Jabez - Oh That Thou Wouldest Bless Me Indeed
Please turn to Luke 18. Which one of these is prettier? (holding an artificial flower and a real, but withered flower) Which one would you say is ‘blessed indeed?’ This one? (the imitation) Please stand with me as we read in Luke 18 starting in verse 10.
Luke 18:10-14 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. (11) The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. (12) I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. (13) And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. (14) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
I would have to say that this one is like the Pharisee in Luke 18:11 that stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. (12) I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. I will not fade like this flower, I continue to show forth my beauty as I have been endowed with qualities that allow me to live on and on in my current splendor. This Pharisee, like this flower, was all show, he had no fruit, he had no true blessing, he was a hypocrite. But (13) the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. This man was blessed indeed. He knew that his blessings came from God alone, and that all else was vanity. This flower, although its beauty has faded, is truly blessed. It no longer smells good, but look. Right here, where the bees and butterflies once took and left pollen can be found seeds, many seeds. Each one of these seeds is a blessing. Each one can grow into a beautiful flower that will not only look nice and smell nice, it will provide pollen, pollen that feeds many insects and from which we get honey. These insects in turn feed other creatures, and the chain goes on until eventually it reaches us. Then this new flower will drop its seeds and the blessings will multiply over and over. Like this flower, the fruit of the publican’s blessing would go on to bless others. John 3:30 [Jesus] must increase, but [we] must decrease. This is what it is to be blessed indeed.
Please turn in your Bibles to 1st Chronicles, Chapter 4.
We don’t really know very much about the man named Jabez. The only other time his name is used is in 1 Chronicles 2:55 where we read, And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and Suchathites. These are the Kenites that came of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab. All we can glean from this is that this small town was possibly named after Jabez. When we look at 1 Chronicles chapter 4, we will notice that there is no obvious link between the descendants of Judah and Jabez, other than the fact that he is plugged in here in this chronology, as a kind of side note. He may have been Jewish, or a Gentile ruler, we can’t know. This short testimony of him is inserted with no explanation to help us to learn more.
Keil & Delitzsch write, “If there be any genealogical connection between the man Jabez and the locality of this name or its inhabitants, then the persons named in verse 8 would belong to the descendants of Shobal. For although the connection of Jabez with Coz and his sons is not clearly set forth, yet it may be conjectured from the statements as to Jabez being connected with the preceding by the words, “Jabez was more honored than his brethren.”
I recently heard a sermon that stated that the Jewish historians claimed that Jabez was a scribe. If this is the case it would give us further explanation of why he was inserted here in the line of Judah.
Please join me in verse 8 of the fourth chapter of 1 Chronicles.
(8) And Coz begot Anub, and Zobebah, and the families of Aharhel the son of Harum. (9) And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him with sorrow. (10) And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
(9) And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him with sorrow. (10) And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
Contrary to current popular conjecture, we cannot possibly know all the ins and outs of what Jabez was thinking, or even who he really was for that matter. Having uncovered that we know very little about Jabez and his prayer, let’s look at what we can know, and what we can learn from this sort of mini biography. We know that there is something for us here because God does not waste time, ink or words in idle information. For as Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we know that All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
I appreciate the way Charles Spurgeon put it when he once preached on this text. He said, “We know very little about Jabez, except that he was more honorable than his brethren, and that he was called Jabez because his mother bare him with sorrow. It will sometimes happen that where there is the most sorrow in the antecedents, there will be the most pleasure in the sequel. As the furious storm gives place to the clear sunshine, so the night of weeping precedes the morning of joy. Sorrow the harbinger; gladness the prince it ushers in. Cowper says: -
‘The path of sorrow, and that path alone,
Leads to the place where sorrow is unknown’.”
Oh how magnificent will be the millennial reign after the terrors and anguish of the great tribulation.
The first thing we learn about Jabez is that he was born in sorrow, his name meaning sorrow or to grieve. While we don’t know who his brothers are for sure, we do know that he was more honorable, or possibly, as some have translated it, more honored than his brethren.
And then that he called on the God of Israel. Something very interesting about this prayer is that it is in the form of a vow, although there is no promise implied. It seems that Jabez is crying out to God for His blessing, and that perhaps it’s just understood that God will be served and glorified through this. Or could it be that he was allowing God to chose the conditions, if only He would use Jabez. Isn’t this what we should be doing brethren. We can’t possibly know or understand how mightily God can use us. We must ask Him first to work in our lives, that we would be a miracle. We must be willing to pour ourselves out that He might fill us up and be glorified in us. Then we must ask Him to use us. Not according to our desires, but according to His will and for His glory. The name it and claim it crowd has lost sight of our purpose. James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Please turn to Matthew 6:5. We do know that Jabez was born in sorrow. Again the what or why is unknown. We can guess that his mother went through a difficult labor, that his father was dead, or as some have suggested, their people were in great conflict at the time. He was another Ben-oni, but like the son that Rachel bare upon her death, he did not want to live up to his name. He prayed that God would keep him from evil. That he would become a Benjamin, or ‘son of right hand.’ It was not particularly unusual for a mother to give her child an odd name in Old Testament times. For example, listen to the names Leah gave her sons in Genesis 29:32-35 And Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben (meaning - see ye a son): for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. (33) And she conceived again, and bore a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon (meaning - hearing). (34) And she conceived again, and bore a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi (meaning - attached). (35) And she conceived again, and bore a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah (meaning - celebrated); and left bearing. And in Genesis 30:6-8 we read where Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan (meaning - judge). (7) And Bilhah, Rachel's maid conceived again, and bore Jacob a second son. (8) And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali (meaning - my wrestling). And there are more, but I think you get the point.
Before we examine the prayer that Jabez prayed, let’s take a quick look at some comments our Savior gives us regarding prayer. Beginning in the book of Matthew chapter 6 starting with verse 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (6) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (7) But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (8) Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
From these verses we know that we are not to make an exhibition of prayer. Prayer is an intimate communication with our Heavenly Father and should always be approached with reverence and respect. The hypocrisy of praying for show is rewarded with the vain applause of men. But the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16). God knows our hearts and responds openly to our heartfelt prayers, for His own purposes and for His own glory.
In verse 7 Jesus warns us to not use... vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. The words of our Lord are quite contrary to what a popular author of our day teaches about the Jabez prayer when he instructs us to pray this prayer every day for a month and that our lives will become marked by miracles.
Others tell us something very similar. Here is a quote I found regarding this subject. “Hindus and Buddhists tell us that repetition allows the mind to focus on God. This makes it easier to become one with your higher self. Eastern Orthodox monks found joy, happiness and oneness with god through repetitive prayer. Jewish mystics described a similar feeling after repeating the names of God. They called it a transforming moment in which they entered the highest state of consciousness possible for human beings. This goal of entering a higher state of consciousness, a state of oneness with god, is why people repeat their decrees, chants, mantras and prayers.”
We know that Catholicism also makes use of vain, repetitive prayers. This is not to be accepted Brethren. Let me ask you this, what kind of relationship would you have with your child if they always repeated the same phrase to you, word for word, day after day with nothing coming from the heart? We are to pray from our hearts, as the Holy Spirit leads for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. God is not controlled by formulas and mantras. He moves us to pray according to His own divine will. Did you get that. If we are in a right relationship with God, we will pray according to His will and for His glory. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 From here our Lord goes on to offer a model for us to follow in our prayers. We are not to pray this prayer, word for word, any more than we are to pray the Jabez prayer. He said, “Pray like this,” not, “Pray this prayer.” Then He goes on to share with us what should be an outline for us to follow.
Matthew 6:(9) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. We are to address our heavenly Father in reverence and respect, praising Him and worshipping His holy name. (10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. We are to acknowledge our submission to His excellence, His purposes and His will. Then, and only then should we come to Him in supplication. So many times we come to God in prayer with our grocery lists. Our Lord Jesus taught here that we must put God first in our prayer life, as in everything else. Then we can ask that our needs be fulfilled. Not our desires, but our needs. He doesn’t mention anything but that we will receive sustenance, and only one day at a time. (11) Give us this day our daily bread. Not give us this weeks or months rations, but today’s. Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Then we must ask for forgiveness of our transgressions. This does not relate to justification. That was accomplished on the cross. This is a request that God would purify us, sanctify us and clean away the sin that we have allowed to contaminate ourselves that day. (12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. We must also be aware of sin that we may be holding on to. If we hold a grudge or are unwilling to forgive those who trespass against us as sinners, how then will the most holy, perfect, Mighty Creator of universe forgive us our transgressions against His perfection. (13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: We must plead with our Father to steer us clear of Satan’s traps, and give us the wisdom and discernment to endure our tests and bring glory to Him in the process. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Now let’s look at the first part of the Jabez prayer, a prayer that while being a wonderful model for a prayer, has been severely abused. Notice that God’s word says that Jabez called, or cried to who? The only one who can truly answer our prayers, right? He calls on the God of Israel. Then Jabez begins with the plea, “Oh that thou would bless me indeed.” I don’t think that most professing Christians really know what this means. Many follow a popular author of our day who says that it means to bless me a lot. I take great exception to this translation. Some translations do not even include this last word at all, but simply say, Oh that thou wouldst bless me and enlarge my border. Not one of the translations that I checked even hinted that the meaning here was based on an amount of blessing. It is, rather, based on the quality of blessing. To be blessed indeed is to be ‘truly’ blessed, or as Pastor Bob would put it, “To have your socks blessed off.”
But, the true follower of Christ must ask himself, “What does it mean to be blessed indeed?” If God were to bless you indeed, and might I add, if you know Him as your Lord and Savior, He has indeed blessed you. If God were to bless you indeed, you would know it. However, I venture to add that you might not know it at the time. As our dear brother Spurgeon has said, the greatest blessings are born from our greatest trials. Would winning the lottery (which you shouldn’t be playing in the first place) be a blessing indeed. From the statistics of those who have won in the past, I would have to doubt it. In fact, I think it would be more a curse than a blessing for most of us. It has been said that for every man that can handle being wealthy, there are thousands who can’t. And I think that this point is proven by the thousands in America today that have material wealth, but obviously can’t handle it. Look at men like Dennis Rodman, Michael Tyson and many others who, because of the wealth they obtained became addicted to their fame, wealth and in some cases drugs. Why, because they looked for blessings apart from God.
So what does it mean to be blessed indeed? A wonderful marriage, great children, a roof over our heads, food on the table and a good church? I would have to agree, to have all those is to be blessed. But there’s more to life than that. While to have all these is a great blessing, having all of these could possibly leave one empty, searching and longing for a task, a purpose that would give their life more meaning.
I am convinced that to be truly blessed indeed is to be used by God, for His purposes, according to His will and for His glory, regardless of the ramifications. Now, before you put your ‘Amen’ on that, think of the implications. Are you willing to pray to God that He do whatever it takes in your life for Him to receive the greatest glory? Think long and hard on this one brethren, because I don’t think that most of us are ready to do that. Can you pray right here and now that God would break you, emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially or whatever it might take in order for Him to be glorified in your life?
You might have read the Daily Bread in July that spoke of Norm Heddon. On April 2nd, 1977, Mr. Heddon noticed that the sky north of Olivet, Michigan was growing black and ominous. He had seen this before, so he was not too worried. But when he began to feel pressure build up in his ears instincts took over, he and his family rushed down to the basement, which he supposed took about 5 seconds. As soon as they reached the basement their house was blasted into thousands of pieces by a tornado. A few minutes later he went up to see the damage. He was shocked at the devastation. All his earthly goods had been swept away. But do you know what he did. He gathered his family around him and thanked God for His goodness. He said, “[God] has a hand in everything that happens to us.”
Was Norm Hedden and his family blessed indeed? I would have to say heartily, “yes indeed!” But, perhaps the greatest blessing was in his knowledge that God was in control and had seen fit to test him.
We think almost immediately of Job don’t we? Turn to Job 1 where we pick up immediately after Satan’s conversation with God in which God allows Satan to attack Job. Here we have Job, a wonderful godly man, simply going about his daily routine. Beginning in Job 1:13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: (14) And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: (15) And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. (16) While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. (17) While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. (18) While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: (19) And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. (20) Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshiped, (21) And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. (22) In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
And now I ask the obvious question, “Was Job blessed indeed?” Can a man possibly be blessed by God by having everything he owns and everyone he loves destroyed in one day? Perhaps we can find the answer to this question by looking back a few verses. Let’s go back to Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. (2) And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. (3) His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. (4) And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. (5) And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. At this point I think we would all be in agreement that Job was a blessed and faithful man. But does this hold true through the next few verses? (6) Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. (7) And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. (8) And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? (9) Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for naught? (10) Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. (11) But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. (12) And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
Now what do you think? Is Job blessed indeed? Can it possibly be a blessing to have God lift His hand of protection from you and allow Satan to destroy everything you love? Let me ask it this way. Could there possibly be a greater honor, or could God possibly show more confidence in a man’s faith, than allow him to go through great persecution, hardship and tribulation in order for him to be used for the glory of God?
This is where the hoof meets the dirt brethren. What do we do when we are confronted with tragedy in our lives. Many shake their fists at God, blame Him and curse Him for doing this to them. But the truly faithful, the ones who have done their best to give themselves completely over to God, they are not destroyed by this adversity. They may be brought low for the time being. They might succumb to depression and heartache. But they will not forsake God. They will turn to God in their grief and despair, they will cry out to Him for His comfort. But most importantly, they will be in a place where God can use them for His great glory and testify as Job did, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. (16) He also shall be my salvation: for a hypocrite shall not come before him. (17) Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears. (18) Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified Job 13:15-18.”
If we stray from the course God has laid out before us, forgetting that we are His, we are blessed in that He will rebuke us. As Psalms 94:12 says Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;
There’s nothing wrong with asking God to bless us indeed. There is something wrong with choosing what that blessing is supposed to be. We need to be willing to pray that God will not give us what is not truly a blessing. We cannot know what it is to be blessed indeed until after it has happened, or sometimes never.
Allow me to share another illustration to make my point.
Pastor Spurgeon tells of a woman “whose son was ill - a little child near death’s door - and she begged the minister, a Puritan, to pray for his life. He did pray very earnestly, but he put in, (as Jesus did) “If it be thy will, save this child.” The woman said, “I cannot bear that: I must have you pray that the child shall live. Do not put in any ifs or buts.” “Woman,” said the minister, “it may be you will live to rue the day that ever you wished to set your will up against God’s will.”
“Twenty years afterwards, she was carried away in a fainting fit from under Tyburn gallows-tree, where that son was put to death as a felon. Although she had lived to see her child grow up to be a man, it would have been infinitely better for her had the child died, and infinitely wiser had she left it to God’s will.”
We must be willing to ask God to bless us indeed, but on His own terms, not ours. Do you want to be extravagantly blessed with worldly riches through formulated mantras and pagan idolatry? Not I, as Joshua once said, Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
And finally to hear those longed for words from our Savior, “... Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:23 That, my brethren is what it is to be blessed indeed.
Horatio G. Spafford was a man that was truly blessed indeed. Born in North Try, New York in 1828, he established a successful legal practice in Chicago as a young man. He was known as an active Christian, enjoying a close and active relationship with D. L. moody and other evangelical leaders of that era. George Stebbins, a noted gospel musician, described him as a “man of unusual intelligence and refinement, deeply spiritual, and a devoted student of the Scriptures.”
Mr. Spafford had invested heavily in real estate on the shore of Lake Michigan. It seemed that everything was going great. Then tragedy struck when Mr. and Mrs. Spafford lost their only son to a tragic illness. A short time later the Chicago fire of 1871 wiped out his holdings. He had been given an opportunity to assist Mr. Moody and Ira Sankey in one of their campaigns in Great Britain, and desiring a break and rest for his family, he gladly jumped at the chance. They were all set to go to Great Britain in November. Because of some unexpected business developments, Mr. Spafford was detained when their ship left, but bid his wife and four daughters - Tanetta, Maggie, Annie and Bessie - to go ahead without him as scheduled. He planned to catch up with them in a few days. They boarded the S.S. Ville du Havre and headed across the Atlantic. Getting his business taken care of, Mr. Spafford was eagerly making plans to join his family when he heard the news. On November 22, 1873 the ship his family was on was struck by the Lochearn, an English vessel. and sank in twelve minutes. Several days later the survivors finally landed at Cardiff, Wales. Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, sending only these words, “Saved alone. Your wife.”
As soon as he could find a ship, Mr. Spafford left to join his bereaved wife . It is said that on the sea near the area where his four daughters had drowned, Horatio penned this text whose words so significantly describe his own personal grief - ‘When sorrows like sea billows roll...” Would we say that Mr. Spafford was blessed indeed?
Look at the words to this marvelous hymn. Many of us have sung the hymn several times this past week, since it was a favorite of Brother Dave DeJong’s. Notice that it does not dwell on life’s sorrows and trials, but focuses attention on the redemptive work of Christ and in the anticipation of His Glorious return. Yes, Horatio Spafford was blessed indeed.
Please stand and turn to hymn number ___ and join me in singing ‘It Is Well With My Soul.’
It Is Well With My Soul
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Refrain
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Refrain And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Refrain
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