The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 62

ITSELF. It is evident, from the very words of Jabez's prayer, that he distin<Tuisbe~ lietwcen evil and gratuitous pain, or unrewarding "grief," as it is here expressed." Evil, i.e. suffering, calamity, more or less of occasional adversity, disappointment, are the absolute lot of man here. It would be vain to shut the eyes to the fact, folly to deny it. But there are immense differences within the range and the limits of what is called evil. Jabez had learnt this. He does not pray to be kept from all suffering, vicissi- tude, adversity, disappointment, though doubtless he would fain be kept from as much of this as may be. But we are to understand that he earnestly deprecates the baneful touch of evil itself. He discerns what its essential principle is. He dreads its tyran- nous rule, its merciless hold, its mocking treatment of those who have trusted it, and, if unstayed, its destructive results, He prays, accordiugly, to be kept from the evil that would "assault and hurt the soul," and prove the herald of irreparable grief. It is such intrinsic form of evil which the uncompromising petition of our Lord's Prayer puts upon the lips of all his disciples, How certain and distinct this difference is I How much "evil" there is, through which we all are called to pass I But the deep water does not overflow us. How much disappointed hope and sorrow's visit there is for the very best of men, by which in part they have been helped to become what they already are, right and excellent and devout, and by which the best of to-day become yet better to-morrow I This is the "evil we receive also at the hand of God, as well as" his good. It is chastening, purifying, elevating. But contrast with this the sorrow that worketh death. Contrast with this the "wounded spirit." Contrast with this the evil that hardens hearts, sears consciences, cradles remorse, and is fruitless of everything else but unavailing regret. And we shall be ready to join to pray, "That thou wouldest keep me from evil, that" its gratuitous "grief" may not be mine. !II. THAT A LESSON RESPECTING SELF'S GREAT NEED OF SUPEUIOR HELP IN THE PRESENCE OF SOME FOES HAD BEEN WELL LEARNT. There are some passages of life when the best and hardest work is the best and most earnest prayer. Not so here, It is said the sailor always has his enemy before him, and the battle ceases not till the haven is won. And men live in such a scene of evil, such surroundings of evil, such dispositions of evil, such a very atmosphere of evil, men are tossed upon such an ocean of evil, that the danger will prove overmastering in some direction, unless a man "pray always," and pray this prayer of Jabez. No armour of one's own, no self-knowledge, no ,igilance, no pride of foreknowledge, no mere creed of distrust of the vain world, and the wicked heart, and the soul's chief adversary, will suffice. 'l'his living, hearty, earnest prayer will alone command the sure victory in the most critical of warfare. Ver. 10.-The gracious benignity of answer to prayer. ".And God granted him that which he requested." Abruptly as the name and the prayer of Jabez were introduced, with equal abruptness do they vanish from view. Favourably as they were introduced, so favourably do they seem to take leave of us. The naming of Jabez was indeed that of toilsome travail and tears, but therein was that saying fulfilled, that the going forth with weeping and with precious seed shall issue in a rejoicing return with golden sheaves. For that this was the case may be justly read between the lines, when we are informed that "God granted Jabez that which he requested." The words of this prayer and the several petitions of it we have before us, and they speak for themselves, what they are and aim at. But whether the prayer conveys to us the "request" of Jabez, that one desire of his heart which was enwrapt in all the rest, is not quite plain. Probably it does, and if so it must have been " the enlarging of bis coasts." This would not be a request out of harmony with his time of day, or with what men of his position sometimes earnestly wished, and even with diviner instincts sought. 'l'o have a sure footing and an abundant footing in Canaan, or in whatsoever land most nearly corresponded to Canaan in the time of Jabez, meant very much more than the mere inheritance or purchase of ever so tempting an estate or property in our day. But if this were not the burden of the pmyer, and its central 1mbject, we are but relieved in this, as in all the rest of thll context, from detail in favour of principles. In the absence of clell.r information as to what Jabez requested, \le may make sure that he did not ask what was contrary to God's glory to give or to his oivn good to receive, while on the other hand we are not in want of information as l,1;w he matle his requests known. We have seen that manner to be characterized by OIi. IV, 1-43.] TilE FIRST BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES.