Bible Questions and Answers

 

 

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His God- given inheritance had to be wrested from the Canaanites at the risk of his own life and the lives of those he loved.Jabez means ‘sorrow’ and his prayer is that his name might not be a prophecy of his life’s experience.For those who are baptised into Christ the warfare is not for a present day inheritance but for an inheritance in the kingdom to come.

Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

We are expected to draw ‘spiritual’ lessons from Jabez’ ‘natural’ experience.Jabez’ character is described as ‘honourable’.

1 Chronicles 4:9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren...

If we would be ‘honourable’ in the sight of God we must be faithful in the trials of this life.

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Jabez prayed for 4 things.

1. That God would bless him indeed.

God has blessed us indeed by sending his son to turn us from our sins.

Acts 3:26... God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

2. That He would enlarge his coast.    

This enlarging of territory is a figure used of deliverance to eternal life and an inheritance in the kingdom of God, promised in Christ.

Psalms 18:19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

Psalms 118:5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.

Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

3. That God’s hand might be with him.

Those baptised into Christ become sons of God and are treated as such.

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:

Matthew 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

4. That God would keep him from evil.

That we might be delivered from evil is part of the ‘Lord’s prayer’.  

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Baptism into Christ will not necessarily bring us material benefits in this life.We are given a superior role model in Christ, who suffered and died for us.

2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

And in Paul who gave up all for Christ.

Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

We are not to seek our own wealth in this life but rather look after others.

Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

We will all suffer tribulation of one kind or another to correct us and test our faith.

Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.God heard Jabez’ prayer and granted his request. Thus we are encouraged that he will hear ours and grant us eternal life when Christ returns.

Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

If you want to come to grips with what the Bible really teaches, why not take the free online Bible study course available on our website, www.thisisyourbible.com? This course will give you a background in the major themes of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. As with everything we offer, there is no cost to you other than your time and effort. You will also have a personal tutor to whom you may pose questions either from the course itself or those questions which come to you as you read the Bible.

I hope this helps,

Glenn