Enlarge Your Territories/ Boundaries
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 4:10
It’s a very short prayer which brought results from the Lord. This prayer encourages us to a great extent and we wonder what’s so great in that prayer.
We understand that Jabez belonged to the tribe of Judah. His mother called him Jabez as his life was grief stricken from his infancy. What caused that grief, we don’t know. His mother says ” I bore him in pain” Perhaps his birth was so life-threatening to her,
We come to speculations that she was so sick at his birth or that she passed through severe grief. Whatever it might be, he caused grief to his mother. We find in Genesis 35: 17, 18
Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, “Do not fear; you will have this son also.” And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin.
Genesis 35:17-18
Rachel called her son Ben Oni , Son of Sorrow as his birth preceded her death. His father Jacob deliberately changed the name and called the child Benjamin which means Son of my right hand or strength.
So is the same with the name Jabez who prayed this fervent and earnest prayer and changed his destiny. When he prayed this prayer he too was in great distress. Situations were not conclusive for a comfortable life. He had brothers who might not have helped him much. He was so hard pressed due to lack of blessings. He went to the presence of Yahweh. In his distress and reproach he prayed to the God of Israel.
He prayed for
1. Blessings,the immediate need. He knew that God of Israel is the source of all blessings and goodness.
2.To expand his boundaries or his territories. God said to Abraham
I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.
Genesis 12:2
A great family, a great nation and great blessings !! Everything, great and no lack. Abundance ! “The Lord is my Shepherd, I have no lack” No scarcity, as the territories are enlarged.
3.He sought the hand of God to be with him. Jesus is the hand of God that extended to man. Jesus was with the Israelites as the pillar of cloud and fire during the days and nights when they were passing through the wilderness. Jabez knew that without God he could do nothing.
Jesus said,
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me, for without Me you can do nothing”
John 15:4-5
He prayed for the presence of God in every phase of his life.
4.To keep him from all evil. He didn’t want to be a victim of evil powers. Jabez wanted protection from the attacks of the enemy and he prayed for deliverance from all wickedness
5.He should not be a cause of pain for anyone. That meant he should be a blessing for others. He earnestly wished to do good for others.
And God granted him all his requests.
These are the important blessings he sought and his prayers were according to the Word of God. He fervently prayed for these as he put his complete trust in the Lord. God’s eyes are looking for those who look forward to Him with total dependence.
Our peace and prosperity comes from the Lord. That’s not as the world gives. Our territories are enlarged with the grace of God. None can limit our boundaries when God works in our lives. Let’s earnestly pray to the Lord for blessings both Spiritual and physical. Seek His kingdom and all blessings will follow. Goodness and Mercy will follow us. We need not run after these. Remember to deliberately change your sorrow into blessings and honour by seeking God.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalms 103:2-5
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father, we pray for your presence and protection in our lives. Bless us O Lord and enlarge our boundaries. Let grace from your boundless abundance make us Honourable among our brethren. Thank you Lord. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen
Sol.SALOMI KURIAN