THE ENLARGED COAST
By Rev. Alfred Mathieson
■ HERE are those who when ap proaching a chapter of names in Scripture are like those standing on the edge of a desert and hesitating to cross. But to refuse to proceed is to miss the inspiring oasis and the re freshing water. This is true of the fourth chapter of First Chronicles. When God stops the march of a record of names to record a character, as He does in verses nine and ten, we can be certain it is for our instruc tion. The flow of the record of the names of families is checked to de lineate a particular figure, Jabez. Here is a man towering above his brethren. It is not physical stature that is emphasized but spiritual attainment. He was “more honourable than his brethren.” This does not mean that his brethren were not honourable, but that in a superlative degree Jabez took the lead. The circumstances of a man’s birth are always of interest. We read that sorrow entered the home of Jabez and so filled the heart of his mother that she impressed the memory of it upon her child by calling him Jabez mean ing sorrowful. Certainly it is net a name to inspire, or to create determina tion to overcome circumstances. How ever, although cradled in sorrow, Jabez was determined that his life should be crowned with the sunshine of God. The home training of Jabez in lead ing him to trust in Jehovah is a hidden story yet to be revealed when the re wards are handed out to the godly fath ers and mothers who have yearned and prayed over their offspring, and with earnest counsel and entreaty sought to lead them to God. How great the privilege to have godly parents which some, alas, have not known! It may be that because God delivered the mother of Jabez out of her sorrow and danger that she was more diligent and earnest to point him to the Lord. Jabez responded to the teaching and like all “more honourable” men and women whose names shine down the ages, he turned to the Source of all blessing. Sorrowful in circumstances and sorrowful in name, Jabez-sought the God of love and joy, the Fountain of all good. In one verse the character of this man is depicted. In God’s inimitable manner, a life story is sketched in miniature. How is he shown to us? God leads us to the secret place, opens the door, and we behold Jabez at prayer. That view reveals the man; his life of faith, worship and godliness, lived in the filial fear of God. The prayers re corded in the Bible are worthy of closest study, and the prayer of Jabez marks no exception. N O V E M B E R , 1 9 5 1
braced them, guided them, protected them, supplied their every need, and brought them into His chosen and fav oured land. Jabez in the land could look back upon Jehovah’s wondrous achieve ments, and to the covenant-keeping Jehovah he prayed. Full of depth and beauty is this prayer chosen by Hudson Taylor and the Lammermuir party as their prayer on entering the new year of 1867 for the forward movement in China. Out of his heart Jabez cried to the Lord, “ Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed.” The intensity and fervency re veal the depth and fullness of the heart cry and express his adoration, com munion, submission and dependence. (Continued on Page 16)
He “ called on the God of Israel.” How wonderful the name, the God of Israel, Israel’s Rock and Redeemer. It conjures up matchless grace, mighty miracles, and marvelous patience. Many there are who can only see God in the Old Testament as a hard, stern God—the God of fire and thunder. Alas, how blind they are! But this is not how we view Him. As we contemplate His magnificent economy for Israel, unequaled in the history of the world, and read the utter ances that reveal His heart yearning over a sinful and rebellious nation, we can only exclaim, “ What an amazing God!” The God of Israel is the God who loved them just because He loved them, and in that love redeemed them, em
Page Eleven
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker