(Jabez): =Affiction. Sorrow, from an unused root probably meaning to grieve;;
and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, because I bare him with sorrow; either with sorrow for her husband, being dead, or by reason of very sharp pains she endured at the birth of him;
he was another Benoni.
Benoni. = Son of my sorrow.
Ge 35:18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that (she called his name Benoni): but his father called him Benjamin.
Benjamin. = The son of the right hand
It doesn’t matter what man has said about you, it doesn’t matter what your environment or your circumstances say about you.
(What has your Father said about you?)
Everything around you may speak of weakness, failure, of insignificance, of sorrow and despair.
(What has your Father said about you?)
Ps 68:13 Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.
Though we may be surrounded by ashes, and brokenness, and confusion and despair, yet are we not what we are surrounded by.
All things are not as they appear, A mischevious child may be a prophet.
A crippled beggar may be royalty in disguise (Mephibosheth).
A carpenter may be a king.
1chro 4:9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren:
More deserving of honor, more responsible, more dependable, more committed, more trustworthy, more devoted.
( Not because of things made better or easier for him, but for better use of what was available to him).
True honor is not in what a person has, but in the character of the one who has it.
1chro 4:9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren:
(Brethren): brother, brotherly, kindred, like, 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe, (fig.) of resemblance
This means that Jabez excelled above those of his kindred, his tribe, those of resemblance.
This is a characteristic that God would have in all of his children, the desire and ambition, and effort to be the best that they can be,
This desire and ambition and personal effort and application will place you in a more honourable position than many of your tribe, brethren.
1chro 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast,
This does not just mean (give me more) Pour it on me Lord. (Jesus my name is Jimmy and I’ll take all you can gimme).
This speaks of enlargement in your circle of influence, your sphere of ministry = Responsibility.
and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me.
Jabez understood that if you do not keep God first in your life even the things that should bless you will become a source of grief.
A Blessing is only a blessing as long as it points you back, and keeps you close to the one who gave it, When blessings are an end in themselves, they cease to be a blessing and ultimately will bring grief into your life.
And God granted him that which he requested.
Increase was not Jabez’ Idea Increase is Gods plan.
It is Gods will that we increase, It is Gods will that we increase in wisdom and knowledge, and that we prosper and multiply.
De 6:3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
Job 8:7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
Ps 115:14 The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
*Prosperity is not a rebellion against dependence upon God, Prosperity is the rewards of life lived in dependence and recognition of God.
*Prosperity is the will of God.
3Jo 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Ps 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
2 Chro 20:20 Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
De 29:9 Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.
*It Blesses God When You Prosper*
Ps 35:27 Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
Job 36:11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
Ps 118:25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
The devil hates to see Gods people prosper
Ps112:1-3 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
Ps 112:10 (The wicked shall see it, and be grieved) he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Prosperity is not a miracle or a mystery:
It is the result of obedience to the principles of sowing and reaping.
2 Co 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
2Co 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
God granted His request.
God wants to prosper you, That is not the question, The question is, can he trust you?
With Prosperity and blessing Comes greater responsibility.
Can You Stand to be Blessed?
Deut 8:11-14 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:
12 Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;
13 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;
14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth o
ut of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;
Deut 8:17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
This is one of the greatest tests of godly character,
can you stand to be blessed.
When we don’t have anything we lean on the Lord, we trust in the Lord, we depend on the Lord, but what about when the blessing comes,
There are two scenarios that are very opposite and the one you choose is the one that will determine whether you can stand to be blessed or not.
#1 Jabez who wanted to be blessed, but he wanted the blessing under the guiding, and protecting hand of the Lord.
#2 The prodigal son who wanted to be blessed without the fathers hand, he wanted his blessing his way.
Which one describes you?
If you like Jabez want the Lords hand connected to the blessing guiding and directing, instructing and correcting, then you are blessing material.
