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. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

This is probably the most famous verse in the Bible concerning the expansion of resources.

Jabez's story is a unique anomaly in the book of Chronicles. His name appears out of the blue, sandwiched between the detailed genealogy of Hur's lineage. This peculiarity begs the question-why is Jabez's story here? Why did the writer choose to include it in this specific context? These are the mysteries that make Jabez's narrative so intriguing.

So, why did God grant Jabez's request?

So, why did God grant Jabez's request? This is the central question that we must grapple with. The fact that this passage stands out in the midst of an unrelated genealogy is a clear sign that it's meant to catch our attention. It's a divine invitation for us to delve into the mystery of Jabez's prayer and its answer.

What do we know about Jabez? We know He caused His mother great harm during childbirth, so much so that his name is a constant reminder of the pain he caused her. And we know he was an honorable man. He was not referred to as a holy man, just an honorable man. An honorable man meant he was a well-respected man who could be counted on to keep his word. A man of high moral character. A man who found it to be important to live a life of integrity. An honorable person does not, by definition, need to be holy or spiritually astute. It means that an honorable person is due respect for the way they comport themselves. 

Honorable 

Being described as an honorable man does not mean that we can attach to him the mantel of a spiritual giant. Now, we also know that he was more than just a little acquainted with God. We know that because of the way he addresses God. “Jabez called on the God of Israel.” He recognizes the God of the universe by acknowledging that he is the one true God, the God of Israel.

The basis for the ask comes from an honorable man. God listened to an honorable man, not a spiritual giant. Are you an honorable man?

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

If he did not believe in God, he would never have prayed the prayer he prayed. He not only believed that God existed, but he believed that God could grant what he asked. God is the rewarder of the honorable.

"That you would bless me" 

“That you would bless me.” Jabez is not just asking, but he is accepting that God the Father has the resources to accomplish what he asks for.  Do we ask with an expectation of God's ability? When we ask, are we asking? With doubt, not believing God is capable.  Well, maybe you can, if you can, if you can find time if it is not too much trouble.  Are we asking with doubt? God won't do this for me, but just in case, in his mercy as a last resort. If we ask as, if God is insufficient we might as well not ask.

If anything, Jabez is not asking in doubt of God's ability but more in doubt of his worthiness to receive. He is asking in humbleness. He is asking, in your grace, will you? There is no doubt in God's ability, but he is full of doubt about his worthiness to receive the blessing.  

But even with the doubt, he boldly asks, “Bless me indeed and enlarge my border.” Are we asking boldly, not boldly in attitude but in reach? Are we asking for something that requires God's input? Something so big that you know you cannot accomplish it alone, that it can only be accomplished with God’s provision and input.

That Your hand might be with me”

Then, he asked the most important aspect of this prayer.  “That Your hand might be with me” he is asking for God to be with him in the process. He did not ask God and then say thank you, I got it from here. He is asking God not to leave him in pursuit of the goal. He is asking God to be involved in the accomplishment of the dream. To be with him throughout the process. Every step of the way.

He then asks for protection “You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me”. What I have heard about this request is that Jabez would not cause pain in the pursuit of His ambitions. Which I suppose is an apropos interpretation. However,  as I look at my life, I see that the one that has caused me the most pain is me.  

He is asking God in the process of acquiring what I have asked for. Don’t let me compromise my honor in the attainment of the goal. Don’t let me go down a path that would lead me to ruin. Jabez is acknowledging his propensity to go off on his own without consulting God on the next step. He is asking God to keep him from doing things that will lead to his demise in the struggle to achieve the dream. 

Would you like to say the same thing?

And God granted him what he requested. Would you like to say the same thing? “And God granted what I requested.” We must be honorable, not super holy or super spiritual. We must be honorable. We can qualify, and I dare say some of us qualify. We are honorable. We are living and growing into the life God intends for us. We haven't arrived, but we are on the right path. We want with all of our hearts to follow God.

We know our God is capable of more than we can ask. We know he is the supplier of needs and dreams. Are we humble and recognize that we will be blessed by God's grace and providence? It is not based on our wants or desires. It is based on God's grace. We acknowledge and understand that all blessings are a result of God‘s love and grace.

Are we asking boldly in reverence to God's sovereignty? Still asking for God to interfere in our quest to accomplish what he has set before us.  Are we asking God to be with us every moment of the journey? Are we seeking his protection from ourselves? From our pride and our deficient short-term memory.

I think God placed this scripture where he did to show us that he can help us at anytime, anywhere, if we intentionally seek him, submit to him, and allow him to lead and correct us.

The prayer of Jabez is for us, provided we are willing to do as Jabez did. Acknowledge the King of Kings. Ask boldly, ask humbly, and ask for God's constant and continuous input. Ask for his protection from oneself!

I believe he wants to expand your territory.