1st Chronicles 4 OCCUPATIONS There are number of 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, before they were taken as captives from the land of Israel. In the resettlement they would need to know what property was theirs by inheritance from ancient days. Property owners would be able to go back to the land of their forbearers. Craftsmen settled back in the areas most suited to their need of material to do their work, the same as the past generations.
Those who made fine linen would resettle where the flax would be grown, and the potters would be where they could get the right material for their special work for the king. The plants and hedges probably referred to places where there were certain natural surroundings that 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. Rather it is an accounting of names, places and occupations that would help the younger generation find out their own personal identities, where they belonged geographically and in the overall scheme of things in the resettlement program. That practice is good in the sense that it places us under a sort of obligation to continue what those before us began. By this means loyalty and allegiance is 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 of which they were a part.
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 usually. 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. The work we do is often a reflection on the impressions made on us by those who came before us. A skilled craftsman would create a sense of pride in a job well-done that would be felt by his sons. A farmer who appreciated the work of nature in the combination of sun and rain would find 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 that the abundance of the 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 those things that had been 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 just 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 very negatively affect every other part of our lives and that of our children behind us.
Jabez stands out as one in the list of ancestors who went forward as a property owner, probably as a farmer, in spite of what his brothers did and the kind of people they were. Those who returned to the land of Israel would be caused to remember that even in times of failure and departure that led to captivity, there was one man who was committed to his faith in God. The simple word, "Oh," when said in the context of prayer, eliminates other distraction and focuses one's mind on God.
Jabez was also conscious of the sovereignty of God. He knew all blessings come from God who is the source of "every good and perfect gift." Some things we can do and are expected to do. Some things belong to God alone to give or keep as He chooses. In his prayer Jabez asked for a blessing from Him "through whom all blessings flow." He asked for help in 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. 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 us and for us. To pray so we know specifically what our request 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.
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 takes place 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 seem unexpected to us and may even seem controversial at first. 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. But whether opposition comes openly and often, there is a more important remarkable work of God among His unified people. In times like this, 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!"
1Chronicles 4:10. “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!’ And God granted him that which he requested.” BLESS ME. Amidst the lists of men of old; some better than the others. A man’s name rises to our eyes, he’s more honorable than his brothers. There seemed to be some sadness there, from problems in the past- But Jabez’s name doesn’t mar his faith, when from his God he asked; “Oh God of Israel, bless me indeed” – and his requests he then did make; Knowing the God who has the right to give, also has the right to take.
He knew His God was very great, and able to perform The requests he asked for when he called, and where they would come from. For God alone has the hand that gives and protects us with His strength. The God he prayed to, heard his prayer to give his coast more length.
But greater still, his desire was plain; he wanted to be kept from evil. He must have known from those around; he was a target of the devil.
We learn ourselves from Jabez’s story, there are things God wants to give. Some requests we make will not be answered, if they hinder what we have. But when our prayers have higher aims, and God’s glory we do seek – Then God blesses us, and grants to us, the petitions that we make. It is important I understand, some times 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 – May I without demand, with acceptance be content. His blessing I desire, 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 my blessed Master’s will.
Among the thousands all near me, some known and some unknown – I would like to be acknowledged as my Father’s earthly son. May “my coast” be souls of people saved, who appreciate God’s grace. May my life be kept from evil and the distractions of this place. May the joy that I experience, be a testimony folks can see. May the life I live here in my day, display my love for Thee.
“Father; Thou hast answered many prayers I have made in ways far surpassing my highest expectations. This I pray again, as Thou hast taught and Jabez prayed, ‘Keep me from evil.’ In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”