HISTORICAL NOTES. 1st Chronicles 4 For some reason, the genealogy of Judah is reversed in this list from the one in chapter two. Here, it begins with Perez and ends with Shelah, and there, it begins with Shelah and ends with Perez. This may be a way to focus attention on David's lineage in some way. There are many reasons to go back through our ancestors' history and learn what we can from the dim and distant past. For those who were from the tribes of Judah and Simeon, it would have been a help to them to know just where their parents and grandparents lived when they were taken as captives from the land of Israel.
Brief historical notes inserted into genealogies give insight into the way of life during those centuries. “Skilled workers” gives a positive picture of how so many remarkable buildings were made and how city-building took place. The fact that one of Pharaoh’s daughters married Mered indicates he was a man of some importance internationally. Perhaps he was in Egypt in a place of prominence during or after Joseph's time.
During the resettlement, they would need to know what property was theirs by inheritance from ancient times. Property owners would be able to return to the land of their forbearers. Craftsmen settled back in the areas most suited to their raw material needs to do their work, like previous generations.
Those who made fine linen would resettle where the flax was grown, and the potters would be where they could get the right material for their unique work for the king. The plants and hedges probably referred to places where certain natural surroundings would have been especially pleasing to those who labored there. To live near the king would have been a well-known story told by older people to the younger when they were in captivity.
As Ezra, or whoever was the scribe, was writing down these chronicles of a people who had been dispersed for years, put these things down on paper, he didn't follow a special order as to time or place. Instead, it is an accounting of names, locations, and occupations that would help the younger generation discover their own identities, where they belonged geographically and in the overall scheme of things in the resettlement program.
That practice is good because it makes us obligated to continue what those before us began. By this means, loyalty and allegiance are established and maintained. We have been blessed by the labors and convictions of those who lived for God long before us. Compared to today, times were hard, daily labor was needed for survival, but the Lord's people in our own families made sure there was time to fulfill their responsibilities to the Gospel and the assemblies of God's people.
People can look at the same place and recall the same event, but both views of the same thing may be quite different. The point of view, both physically and emotionally, emphasizes different things. Neither one is more right or wrong than the other because of our human limitations. A record of ancestry includes names, places, and occupations. One establishes who you are in relation to those in your past. Where they came from helps us to realize the significance of where we are now and how this came to be. Our work often reflects on the impressions made on us by those who came before us.
A skilled craftsman would inspire his sons to feel pride in a job well done. A farmer who appreciated the work of nature in the combination of sun and rain would delight in watching plant life spring from the ground that supplied the food they ate. His children would learn the value of caring for the soil so that the abundance of food in the ground could be brought forth. The artisan who made special vessels suited for the use of a king would pass on his skills to those who followed his path in life. Those who made exquisite cloth from plants and animals would learn and practice the things passed on during their apprenticeship.
We learn from others. That is why our history is important. If we don't learn from those who have gone before us, we are going backward and will have to start over at square one. There is no way to stay still for long. We are either going ahead or back. Sadly, in our day, we are going ahead rapidly in developing technology, pleasure, temporal, and physical ways, but we are going rapidly backwards morally and spiritually. If this backward trend continues, it will negatively affect every other part of our lives and our children behind us.
We are not told how or why Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, but God knew. One thing about him, he knew God was the source of all of his blessings and knew God well enough to ask Him to bless him. Jabez stands out as one of the ancestors who went forward as a property owner, probably as a farmer, despite what his brothers did and the kind of people they were. Those who returned to the land of Israel would be reminded that even in times of failure and departure that led to captivity, one man was committed to his faith in God. The simple word "Oh," when said in the context of prayer, eliminates other distractions and focuses one's mind on God.
Believers are not to be anxious; with prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving, we can make known our requests to God. We often “have not because we ask not” according to God's will. If we ask for things to “consume upon our lusts” or with a selfish motive, God knows us well enough not to let us have what we ask. He wants our best and knows what is better for us than we do. Some things we can do and are expected to do. Some things belong to God alone to give or keep as He chooses.
Jabez was also conscious of the sovereignty of God. He knew all blessings come from God, the source of "every good and perfect gift." In his prayer, Jabez asked for a blessing from Him "through whom all blessings flow." He asked for help fulfilling his responsibility to his "coasts" (territory) to use well what he was given. He wanted God's presence with him as he labored in his calling. He wanted God's protection because he was conscious of the enemies that were coming, and he knew pain would follow if they captured him.
Apparently, Jabez was spared the grief and sorrow of the tribe of Judah because "God granted his request." Even though "sorrow" was the meaning of His name, sorrow wasn't his fate. God was the center of his life. Jabez means “sorrow,” but his prayer was for blessing, and God gave him blessings, not sorrow.
It is important to live in the consciousness of God with us, hearing us, responding to our heart-calls, and producing the kind of results that we are best suited to our capabilities and for us. Praying so we know specifically what our requests are makes it possible for us to be consciously aware of the answers. When we are in fellowship with God in our prayer life, the Holy Spirit is there with us "making intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered." He knows what needs to be said when we are stuck for words and cannot say what our hearts mean.
Amidst the lists of men of the past, some were better than others. A man’s name is given; he was more honorable than his brothers. There’s some sadness there, likely from problems in the family, but Jabez’s name stands out when by faith he asked God, “Oh, that Thou would bless me indeed…” and then made his requests. He knew God had the right to give, and also had the right to take away.
He knew God was very great and able to perform the requests he asked for when he called, regardless of where they would come from. God alone has the hand that gives and protects us with His strength. The God he prayed to heard his prayer to enlarge his property, but a greater, more critical request was his desire to be kept from evil. He must have known he was a target of the devil.
From Jabez’s story, we learn that God wants to give things to those who fear and love Him. However, some requests will not be answered if they hinder what we have. But when our prayers have higher aims and we seek God’s glory, then God blesses us and grants us the petitions that we make. It is important to understand that sometimes answers will be “No.” Other times, the very things I ask, He grants and graciously bestows.
No matter what I’m called to do, or even what I want, by God’s grace, may I, without any demand, and with acceptance, be content with what He tells me and gives me to do. I desire His blessing on the work I seek to do and gratefully accept His will for what I am passing through. So, whether He answers “Yes” or “No”, or maybe “Wait awhile,” what I desire most of all is to do my blessed Master’s will.
Among the thousands of people near me, some I know and some are unknown, I would like to be acknowledged as my Father’s earthly servant-son. May “my coast” be the souls of people saved, who appreciate God’s grace. May I be kept from evil and the distractions of this place. May the joy that I experience be a testimony that folks can see. May the life I live here in my day display my love for my Lord.
Jacob’s second son, Simeon, settled on some of the land allotted to Judah. Consequently, that tribe basically lost its identity in historical accounts. When their population increased, they expanded further north and east to get land for their flocks, which had increased in size. This led to tension and hostility with the descendants of Esau, Edom, and the Amalekites.
Conflict with the Amalekites began when the children of Israel left Egypt and continued throughout Israel's history to the time of Esther. Haman was a descendant of Amalek, and when his plan was defeated, the Jews finally had some rest from that enemy. The tribes of Simeon and Judah were closely connected geographically, and much of what happened to the families of Simeon was tied to the larger tribe of Judah. Some families grew, and others faded.
Some of God's people "increase greatly," and others seem to be so needy that they fade away and die as far as Christian testimony is concerned. There are places where growth occurs and others where "dearth is in the land." The key to growth and maintaining growth is where there is "pasture for the flocks." That food may be in places that initially seem unexpected and even controversial. However, God may give us what we need in the most unexpected ways, by the most unexpected people in unexpected situations.
When God's people are where He wants them to be, doing what He wants them to do, and are keeping His word in fellowship with Him, He can use us and bless our efforts of service. There is no need for God's people to wither and die even though we have to deal with the flesh (Amalek), the world, and the devil. Enemies are going to oppose any work of God. That is a historical and unavoidable fact. However, whether opposition comes openly or often, there is a more important and remarkable work of God among His unified people. In times like these, God is glorified in a special way because any success is an obvious work of God. When that happens, no one can take the credit, and all can honestly say, "To God be all the Glory!"
We have all been called to work, not to waste our days on things that don’t count. Not everyone does the same things; we are provided for in different ways because we live in different places and different times. But it is our obligation in our work to be as effective as we can using the skills God gave each of us. Even though they differ in each of us, it is our responsibility to search out ways to further the work God gave us to do. It is indeed wisdom for the laboring man to save what God in grace provided, to give back to Him the first-fruits and the offerings of our gratitude, thanking God for them.
Jabez was a different man from the others in his family. We are not told the story of how this came to be, but his priorities were in the right place. He knew his limitations and that prayer was a “must.” He knew that God could give, just as He could withhold. His prayer wasn’t one of trepidation; in it, he was really bold. God was pleased to hear him, knowing it was a prayer of faith, and granted his request. The God who gives and takes away is the God who knows what’s best for each of us.
In their efforts to accomplish successful work, others were not satisfied with resting and sleeping or shirking from their obligations. They kept moving until they found what they were looking for. They were able to claim what others had many years before. When we are prepared to venture and not be satisfied with mediocre results in our work, we have to get up and get moving so that we may use our potential. We will find God has been there too, and chose this work for us.
At first, the land before us seemed hard to work in until we started. Then we find the promised land is just beyond the river of obstacles, so we have to get up and move ahead with confidence in God. Then we will find a good and broad land opening up before us with the potential to be developed if only we move ahead in faith. We see God has already been working in this special place; He’s been waiting for me to act and provide the needed grace, and we will find satisfaction in our work, as we trace the hand of God.