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Pastor Lud Golz
Pastor Lud Golz

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  Home | Transcript Archive | September | September 17, 2013

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Yesterday I introduced the prayer of Jabez, found in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. The prayer contains four simple requests: bless me, enlarge my territory, let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm. What prompted him to pray this prayer, and what was his rational for the four specific requests? 

As I pondered this I could understand the requests as a means of overcoming his painful circumstances. But, as I mentioned in our last visit, that would suggest a selfish motive. Since God approved the prayer by answering it and honoring him above his brothers I probed deeper. 
 
As I checked some cross references I came across the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:22-27. Notice that the Lord instructed Moses to tell Aaron and his sons they were to bless the Israelites in this way. Say to them, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” By pronouncing this blessing on the Israelites they put God’s name on them, and with that, God promised to bless them.
 
This blessing is likely what the priests were to give to someone leaving the sanctuary after participating in some ritual. If that is true Jabez was familiar with it. He probably reflected on it often given his circumstances, and wondered why he was not experiencing this blessing in his own life. If so, the blessing pronounced by the priest likely became the catalyst for his prayer. 
 
Compare this blessing in Numbers 6:24-26 with the prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:10.
 

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