Reference: Jabez (1)
Fausets
("sorrowful".) In the genealogy connected with Bethlehem his name is explained by the sorrow with which his mother bore him; also by his prayer "that evil might not grieve him," i.e., though his name expressed sorrow, that God would preserve him from it. His prayer is one of the most comprehensive in the Bible, and shines forth like a brilliant star in the midst of a genealogical catalog of names; probably offered in setting out in life, an admirable model for youths.
Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed (God alone knows what is not only seemingly, but indeed, good for us, not earthly shadows but heavenly realities, and all things here that tend toward them) and enlarge my coast, not merely in temporal but in spiritual interests (1Ki 4:29; Ps 18:19; 31:8; 118:5), "and that Thine hand might be with me (as 'the hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him': Ezr 8:18,22; 7:6,9), and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil," etc. (Mt 6:13; Joh 17:15; Lu 22:40,46; 1Co 10:13; 2Pe 2:9; Re 3:10).
Evil may assail, but cannot finally "grieve," the believer. Jabez, the son of sorrow, by prayerful faith inherited joy in the end (Mt 5:4; Ps 90:15; Heb 12:11). Prayer was the secret of his being "more honourable than his brethren" (1Sa 2:30). His name may have been given to the city Jabez, famed for its scribes. The abrupt mention of him shows he was a man of note when Ezra wrote Chronicles. His prayer was to "the God of Israel" with whom Jacob wrestled in prayer, and "by his strength had power with God" (Ho 12:3-4), and so got the new name "Israel." "God granted" him according to the faith of his request (Eph 3:20; Mt 9:29).
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Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, says, 'I really did say that your house and your ancestor's house would serve me forever.' But now the Lord says, 'May it never be! For I will honor those who honor me, but those who despise me will be cursed!
God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment; the breadth of his understanding was as infinite as the sand on the seashore.
This Ezra is the one who came up from Babylon. He was a scribe who was skilled in the law of Moses which the Lord God of Israel had given. The king supplied him with everything he requested, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.
On the first day of the first month he had determined to make the ascent from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he arrived at Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him.
Due to the fact that the good hand of our God was on us, they brought us a skilled man, from the descendants of Mahli the son of Levi son of Israel. This man was Sherebiah, who was accompanied by his sons and brothers, 18 men,
I was embarrassed to request soldiers and horsemen from the king to protect us from the enemy along the way, because we had said to the king, "The good hand of our God is on everyone who is seeking him, but his great anger is against everyone who forsakes him."
He brought me out into a wide open place; he delivered me because he was pleased with me.
You do not deliver me over to the power of the enemy; you enable me to stand in a wide open place.
Make us happy in proportion to the days you have afflicted us, in proportion to the years we have experienced trouble!
In my distress I cried out to the Lord. The Lord answered me and put me in a wide open place.
In the womb he attacked his brother; in his manly vigor he struggled with God. He struggled with an angel and prevailed; he wept and begged for his favor. He found God at Bethel, and there he spoke with him!
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Then he touched their eyes saying, "Let it be done for you according to your faith."
When he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."
So he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you will not fall into temptation!"
I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but that you keep them safe from the evil one.
Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think,
Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it.
Because you have kept my admonition to endure steadfastly, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth.