“…that I may not cause pain!”
This last plea we read in 1 Chronicles 4:10 from Jabez is the most humble one. It’s as if he recognizes that because of evil in this world, even we are sometimes used to hurt others. Often this is without intention. The Bible tells us to be sober minded (Titus 2:6 and 1 Peter 4:7). This is so we can be better aware of what’s going on around us. I believe it’s also so we will be vigilant not allowing the enemy to use us as a vessel to do harm to others.
Consider this: You have neighbors who know you are a Christian. You go outside and get to chatting with one who is gossiping about another neighbor who happens to be a bit on the obnoxious side. To be friendly you nod your head in agreement and add to the conversation by sharing some juicy information that you heard from another person in regard to this same annoying neighbor. How often we forget sometimes that when we claim to be Christians, there are people that are watching to see what sets us apart from the rest of the world. It would be horrible if a person was at a point where they were ready to turn their life over to Christ and they changed their mind after seeing the hypocrisy and fruitlessness that comes from another believer. This happens all the time. It happens in the church too where believers who are supposed to be examples of Christ cause others to stumble because of their careless actions. Gossip might be a small example, but it’s an easy sin for many of us to commit.
When looking at Jabez’ name in verse 9 of 1 Chronicles chapter 4, we see his mother gave it to him stating, “Because I bore him in pain.” The Strong’s Concordance suggests the name Jabez means to grieve or be sorrowful. In Bible times a name was much more than a pleasant sound; it was of great significance whether in regard to conception or birth, or prophetic blessing for the child’s life. Perhaps in Jabez’ prayer, it could have been that he recognized this about his own name and wanted God’s help not to cause further pain toward others as a result.
Please check out the other blogs in this series as they become available.
The Prayer of Jabez: