Jabez in Chronicles: A Remarkable Story within Judah's Lineage

Judah First Judah First Supplementary study Jabez More honourable than his brethren Judah First Judah First

Judah first in Chronicles 1 Chron. 1 From Adam to Edom. 2:1-2 The sons of Israel. 2:3 The sons of Judah and their fate. 2:4 Sons of Tamar by Judah. 3:1> - The sons and line of David. 4:1-23 The posterity of Judah. 5:1 Reuben forfeits birthright to Joseph, but Judah is first. 5:2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph s. Judah First Judah First

Jabez 1 Chron. 4:9-10 Jabez is abruptly introduced in the record seemingly not as part of the genealogy of Judah, but as a remarkable story within its framework. Jabez = sorrow ; from a root meaning to grieve; be sorrowful. The name occurs 4 times in Scripture 3 of the man in 1 Chron. 4:9-10 and once of a place most likely named after him. 1 Chron. 2:55 is illuminating and critical in understanding the story of Jabez. Righteousness/God manifestation Judah First Judah First

1 Chron. 2:55 And the families of the scribes which dwelt at Jabez; the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, and Suchathites. These are the Kenites that came of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab. scribes saphar to score with a mark as a tally or score; recount, enumerate. Jabez a town named after their most notable and influential inhabitant. Kenites The family of Jethro who came with Israel into the land. Rechab Forefather of the Rechabites. Judah First Judah First Jer. 35

The Kenites Num. 10:29-32 Moses asked Hobab his brother-in-law to accompany Israel from Sinai into the Land. He refused! Judges 1:16 Moses persuaded Hobab to change his mind and they finally settled in the extreme south of Judah. 1 Sam. 15:6 They eventually dwelt among the Amalekites in this area through the inability of Judah and Simeon to hold back Amalekite intrusion. 1 Chron. 4:30 Hormah (Num. 14:45) and Ziklag (1 Sam. 30:1) Amalekite targets! Judah First Judah First

Was Jabez a Kenite? The town of the scribes who were evidently Kenites may have been named after him (1 Chron. 2:55). There is only one! Jabez is not named in the genealogy of Judah, though his story is recounted. Implied proof lies in 1 Chron. 4:10 Jabez called on the God of Israel. This formula sometimes points to origin; e.g. Matt. 15:31 ...and they glorified the God of Israel. Examine the context of Matt. 15. These were Gentiles. Judah First Judah First

The significance of Gedor 1 Chron. 4:4,18,39 Name of a town in Judah s south see end V.4 (Bethlehem). It was from Gedor ( wall , inclosure ) that the Simeonites began their campaigns to expand pastureland V.39. V.40 - The Simeonites sought fat pasture and good, and the land was wide, and quiet, and peaceable but had to remove Hamites to succeed. V.43 Encouraged by success they then destroyed the Amalekites and Jabez s prayer was answered! Judah First Judah First Yahweh had heard Simeon = hearing

Final destruction of the Amalekites 1 Chron. 4:43 1 Chron. 4:41 The Simeonites finally complete Saul s commission in the days of Hezekiah = strengthened of Yah . V.42 Simeon = hearing (with acceptance Gen. 29:33). Pelatiah Yah has delivered . Neariah Servant of Yah . Rephaiah Yah has cured (Rt. rapha). Uzziel Strength of El. Ishi Saving ; rt. yasha = saviour. Judah First Judah First

The cause of grief The context of 1 Chron. 4 and the clues provided in 1 Chron. 2:55 suggest it. 1 Chron. 4:9 his mother called his name Jabez Hence, she was alive after the birth to name him on reflection. Because I bare him with sorrow All children are born with sorrow Gen. 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children. The cause was most likely the recent murder of her husband by Amalekites. Judah First Judah First

The request of Jabez Motivated by self interest or truth-interest? Roth. Oh that thou wouldst, indeed bless, me, and enlarge my boundary, and that thy hand might be with me, and that thou wouldst work to deliver me from evil, that it be not my pain. 1 Chron. 4:10 enlarge my coast To provide protection from oppressive Amalekites for himself and others. Asked for God to work in his life to deliver from evil Matt. 6:13. grieve atsab carve, vex, torture. Judah First Judah First

Should we ask for an increase in our land or possessions? Will God happily grant such requests? Impure motivation - Luke 12:13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. Christ taught - Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. God similarly repudiates materialism! Judah First Judah First

Godliness with contentment... Isa. 5:8 Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! Prov. 28:22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. 1 Tim. 6:7-9 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. Judah First Judah First

So, why was Jabez more honourable than others? This honour could only come in his spiritual maturity and is clearly related to the tragic circumstances of his birth. V.9 honourable kabed heavy, be weighty, hence honourable. Christ s rule Matt. 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Jabez saw the grief of his mother as he grew up for it was memorialized in his name his prayer sought to relieve him and his community of such awful pain. Judah First Judah First

The lessons for us The Amalekite is the symbol for the serpent in political manifestation Ex. 17:8-16; Rev. 20:8 the deadly enemy of unwary Israelites Deut. 25:17-19. Earnest prayer seeking deliverance from the grief that Amalekites deliver will be answered by God, especially on behalf of others close to us - James 5:16-20. V.10 God granted bo to go in, come, enter in. Yahweh entered the scene and provided deliverance. Judah First Judah First

Jabez Jabez is a powerful example is a powerful example for faithful Gentiles in the for faithful Gentiles in the latter days! latter days! Far too many of our family Far too many of our family in Christ have fallen victim to in Christ have fallen victim to the ruthless the ruthless Amalekite For what do we pray? For what do we pray? Amalekite . . Judah First Judah First

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