WHO ASKS FOR A DOUBLE BLESSING?
In the listing of names in the lineage of Judah, the author of 1 Chronicles paused to describe a man named Jabez.
What can we know about Jabez from this description?
1) He was “more honorable” than his brothers.
2) His mother named him, “Jabez,” meaning “to cause pain, grief or sorrow,” because he caused her such pain in childbirth.
3) He was a praying man.
4) He prayed to the “God of Israel,” not a false god.
5) His prayer revealed that he wanted to overcome the name and situation he had been given at birth.
What did Jabez pray?
1) That God would bless him “indeed” (Double use of “barak,” – “blessing” in Hebrew. Literally, that God would “bless bless” me.) Jabez wanted a double blessing!
2) That God would enlarge his “territory” (“coastlines, boundaries”). He wanted God to grow his influence.
3) That the “hand” of God would be with him. He prayed for God’s continual presence on his life.
4) That God would keep him from evil. This request was similar to Christ’s “deliver us from evil” (Matt. 6:13) request in His teaching prayer.
5) Even though his name meant “pain,” he asked that God would keep him from that identity.
And God “granted” his request. Regardless of our situation at birth, or at present, the Lord is ready to hear our prayers. Jabez did not complain, nor blame. He asked God to doubly bless and be with him. And God did just that!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we often think that You bless according to our actions, but really it is more according to our asks. For we are all sinners and do not deserve Your blessing. Yet, You are a God who blesses. And You love to bless those who ask believing. So Lord, we ask. Bless, bless us today with a double blessing. In Jesus’ name, amen.