by David Scott Robertson
"Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request." (1 Chronicles 4:10 NIV)
The "Prayer of Jabez" has been brought from obscurity to popularity in recent times.
It has been popularized by a well-written book of the same title
That has made the New York Times best-seller list.
This prayer chronicles how a man,
Whose name means "Pain,"
Cried out to God from a desperate and honorable heart that Jehovah,
Among other things,
Would "enlarge his territory" or borders, or coast (KJV).
The text plainly tells us the Almighty's response:
God granted him his request.
Millions have gathered strength and hope from Jabez' simple but potent prayer.
His brief prayer seemed to have captured the heart of God to grant the petition.
"Enlarge my territory [border]" has been a phrase that has experienced revival.
But notice another group of people mentioned in scripture
Who, like Jabez, were also interested in enlarging their borders.
(Mat 23:5 KJV) But all their [scribes and Pharisees] works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments…
(Mat 23:13 KJV) But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." (emphasis mine).
Quite a different response from God concerning enlarging borders!
In the Old Testament, God granted Jabez an enlargement of his territory.
In the New Testament the Pharisees took matters into their own hands.
They enlarged their own borders of their garments (to be seen of men)
And received public rebuke from the Messiah as a result.
Jabez probably would have made a crummy Pharisee.
Jabez' motives were right in the sight of God.
The Pharisees were filled with ambitious conquest.
Anytime you see a "my kingdom come" instead of a "thy kingdom come" mentality – watch out!
When you observe this kind of attitude:
"Well, if God won't do anything about it, I will!"
You'd better steer clear – danger is present and judgement is forthcoming.
(Prov 16:18 NIV) Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
The moral of this story is:
Let God "enlarge your territory."
If you don't,
He may allow you to take on land that has giants in it
And leave you there to fight them all by your prideful self.
DSR
8/21/01