The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Chronicles — Section 64

HOMILIES BY V AnlOUS AUTHORS. Yers. 9, 10.--Jabez. These two beautiful verses come in the midst of a dry and (to us) comparatively uninteresting genealogy, like au oasis in a desert. \Ve know nothing at all of the person here mentioned except what is recorded in this p~ssage. Yet there is so much of meaning in these brief sentences, that Jabez is certainly to the readers of this book more than a name. I. Observe his NAME. Scripture names are often signi6cant. This was given by the mother, in token and memory of the sorrow in which she bore her son. '' In sorrow shalt. thou bring forth children," was the primeval sentence upon the mother of mankind. Yet, as Christ reminds us, it is usually the case that a mother" remem- bereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world." The mother of Jabez did not forget, and accordingly named the child in memory of her pains. II. Observe his PRAYER. It is an interesting fact that we know some Scripture characters chiefly by their prayers. Thus we know Agur as having besought the Lord, "Give me neither poverty nor riches." And we know Jabez by the compre- hensive petition which he is recorded to have presented to Heaven. 1. It was a prayer to a covenant God-the God of Israel 2. It was a prayer for blessing; i.e. for good as the expression of Divine favour and approbation. 3. It was a prayer for prosperity; "Enlarge my coast." We know nothing of Jabez's way of life, whether he was a hus- bandman, or a warrior, or a ruler; but it is clear that he asked for enlar~ement of means, or authority, or territory, etc. 4. It was a prayer for strength: "'!'hat thy hand might be with me." 5. It was a prayer for safety and purity. '.L'he evil from which this good man would fain be kept was, probably, both temporal and spiritual. How suitable a petition for us all! 6. It was a prayer for freedom from sorrow. lf disasters should befall him, or if he should be tempted to apostasy or sin, such a fate wonld be fraught with grief to bis heart. III. Observe THE ANSWER to bis prayer. The petition was large, but it was offered to a King, who was the rather pleased with its magnitude. There was uo hesitation, no withholding. A lesson this as to God's willingness to bear and answer the supplications of his people. IV. Observe HIS HONOUR AMONGST MEN. Who the brethren of Jabez were we know not. The verse contains nothing in disparagement of their character or position. But Jabez was more honourable than they. 'l'he Lord is wont to honour those who honour him. Jabez acknowledged God as the Source of his prosperity, and God rewarded Jabez, by raising him to a position of authority and esteem in his family and amungst his coUD.trymen.-T. Vers. 21, 23.-Weavers, husbandmen, and potters. This port.ion of the book contains the record of the descendants of Shelah, one of the sons of Judah. The chronicler mentions incidentally the employments of several of these ancient families. Some were engaged in weaving byssus, or fine linen. Others were occupied in tilling the estates and tending the herds and flocks of the kin)?. Others, again, pursued the calling of the potter. Now, there is no reason for surprise in meeting with such references in a book of the canonical Scriptures. '.L'here is a religious side to all such useful and respectable vocations. '!'hose who follo1v them may not always be aware of the fact; but a fact it certainly is. L liANDICRAFTSMEN A.ND HUSBANDMEN MAKE USE OF MATERIALS WHICH A KIND PROVIDENCE BAS SUPPLIED. The soil which is tilled, the vegetable substances which that soil produces, the minerals which are dug from it, are all of God. "'l'he earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof." 11. THE FACULTIES OF BODY AND MIND WilICH BUCH PERSONS EXERCL~E AND EMPLOY ARE ENTRUSTED BY THE CREATOR. The limbs of the body, the strength of the muscles, the ~kill of the intelligent and designing mind, are all neeJed for the production of tllo results. Every artificer is himself a miracle of creative power and wisdom; and lie who framed the workman is glorified in the handiwork. Jll. 'fllE WELFARE OF CIVILIZED IIUMAN 80CIE'rY, WIIIClI IS TIIE CONSEQUENCE OF IIUC!:I LA.ll(JUlla, IS A l'AilT OF TliE DlVlNE PLAN. 'l'he arts, useful and rustheLic, on. 1\r. 1-43.) 'l'ilE rrns'ti DOOK or THE CliRONiCLES. (;5