I’m not finished with blogging highlights from the 2024 Olympics, but I want to acknowledge those who are faithfully following the Historical Books Reading Program. It’s a little tough right now with 1 Chronicles opening with nine chapters of names!

One of the best features of Eugene Peterson’s The Message bible is the book introductions, and the introduction to Chronicles is no exception. Here’s his paragraph on the names:

The task of Chronicles was to recover and restore Israel’s confidence and obedience as God’s people. Names launch this story—page after page of names. Holy history is not constructed from impersonal forces or abstract ideas; it is woven from names—persons, each one unique. There is no true storytelling without names. Chronicles erects a solid defense against depersonalized religion. – From The Message, Introduction to Chronicles

I’ve found it interesting to look for the few places where there are comments in addition to just listing names. One of those places is 1 Chronicles 4.9, 10. I include the verses on either side so you can see the contrast:

The sons of Helah: Zereth, Izhar, and Ethnan. Koz fathered Anub, Zobebah, and the clans of Aharhel, the son of Harum. Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked. Chelub, the brother of Shuhah, fathered Mehir, who fathered Eshton. Eshton fathered Beth-rapha, Paseah, and Tehinnah, the father of Ir-nahash. These are the men of Recah. (1 Chronicles 4.7 – 12, ESV, emphasis on verses 9 and 10)

One of my early Navigator mentors Mel Leader observed (long before The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson came out) that maybe Jabez gets this special mention because he’s the only guy who was praying in his day. He actually asked God for something:

• Oh that you would bless me and
• enlarge my border, and that
• your hand might be with me, and that
• you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain! (1 Chronicles 4.10, bulleted for clarity)

There are two surprises: one that Jabez would ask for such things: blessing, increased territory, God’s presence, and God’s protection. The first part, especially, sounds a bit selfish. The second surprise is God’s response:

And God granted what he asked.

I think the challenge is clear.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us… (Ephesians 3.20, ESV)

[Jesus said: ] “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7.7 – 11, ESV)

You have not because you ask not. (James 4.2, KJV)