Podcasts by Jabez: Conceived in Pain, Delivered in Victory
The Old Testament of the Bible contains many mysterious passages. In 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, we find a short prayer uttered by an obscure man:
"Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him 'Jabez' saying, 'Because I bore him with pain.' Now, Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, 'Oh, Lord, bless me indeed and expand my territory. Keep Your hand on me, and keep evil from me, that I may not cause pain!' And God granted him what he requested."
Nothing is known about the man who voiced this heartfelt cry to God. He appears to be a man whose family was erased from Israel's history. But if the man and his family's memories were erased, why is he mentioned at all? And why does his prayer appear in a listing of the members of the tribe of Judah?
In "Jabez: Conceived in Pain, Delivered in Victory" we meet the man behind the prayer. We discover why his family could not be mentioned in the chronicles of the tribes. We learn why he was more honorable than his brothers.
More importantly, we find a man with whom many of us can identify. He is a man with a pitiful past and no hope for a future. He is a man who struggles to find meaning and significance in life. He is a man who is desperate to be accepted by his fellow man.
But most of all, he is a man who craves a relationship with God.
In the end, Jabez turns out to be more than an obscure man in a forgotten time. Instead, he is found to be a man whose prayer had a significant impact on the history of Israel. Though the story takes places over 3,000 years ago, its impact still affects us today.
And it all started with the story of a life, told to one small boy.
Further podcasts by Bob Rench | Scribl
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Episode 31 from 2009-03-24T02:30:40
Jabez finishes his story and gives each of his great-grandchildren his blessing before he departs from them for the last time. He saves his richest blessing for his youngest great-grandson. In t...
ListenEpisode 30 from 2009-03-17T02:06:53
Tiras hosts a feast to celebrate the return of Elishua, Mishael, and Eran. Mishael tells the caravan leaders how the Philistine was defeated. Eran explains why he did not break his father's pled...
ListenEpisode 29 from 2009-03-10T03:14:34
The caravan tries to take action against Kelb-bar-Berakh. Tiras awakens Jabez that night, looking for Mishael. Jabez finds Eran missing, as well. What does the Sabbath bring to the village? Who ...
ListenEpisode 28 from 2009-03-03T04:28:40
The village celebrates the betrothal of Elishua to Mishael. Tiras solidifies his trading partnerships by inviting other caravans to the wedding feast. The presence of the caravans attract unwant...
ListenEpisode 27 from 2009-02-24T02:12:31
Tiras confronts the person who stole from his family. Jabez offers to take the punishment in the place of the one accused. Mishael reveals the true reason behind the missing treasure. Jabez's an...
ListenEpisode 26 from 2009-02-17T04:08:44
The caravan leaves the village and heads south to meet with an Egyptian caravan. Mishael and another rider travel on unladen camels to find the caravan, leaving the village at a fast pace. The vill...
ListenEpisode 25 from 2009-02-10T03:36:09
For the first time in several years, the village is visited by a caravan of merchants. The villagers are excited and take the caravan's presence as a sign their village is no longer despised and wr...
ListenEpisode 24 from 2009-02-03T01:30:56
Eran solves the mystery behind the barrenness of Jabez's flock. Jabez remembers the pain of not having a future and is burdened by a desire to bless Eran with a flock of his own. He is also burde...
ListenEpisode 23 from 2009-01-27T05:10:35
Sh'muel gives Jabez a message from an old friend. Jabez accepts the message and acts upon it, leading to his forgiveness. When Jabez's eyes are opened, he sees how much he has missed since the day ...
ListenEpisode 22 from 2009-01-19T23:53:16
Jabez discovers he cannot take his place on the battlefield to avenge the death of his family. He is forced to remain and rebuild his village. Jabez is visited by an old enemy, but is not able to d...
ListenEpisode 21 from 2009-01-13T04:34
Jabez is heartbroken at his loss, and cries out in his anguish, "Why? Why? Why?" The cry is echoed from the face of the rocks and pierces his soul with its sound. The survivors from the massacre ...
ListenEpisode 20 from 2009-01-06T01:45:34
Episode 20
Jabez receives news that a tragedy has befallen his village. He returns to the village with Ha-gadol and several other men to investigate. He discovers that both Elishua and Eran are...
Episode 19 from 2008-12-30T08:38:58
Jabez spends the morning with his wife, daughter, and nieces before leaving his village. He starts the process of healing the pain he has caused Timnah, and allows her to search out his soul. Jabez...
ListenEpisode 18 from 2008-12-23T12:26:22
Jabez returns to his village on his way back to the encampment outside of Gath. He is pleased to see Matthan and the men of the village have strengthened the walls, but is dismayed to find the gate...
ListenEpisode 17 from 2008-12-16T06:42:32
News of the victory reaches the ears of Israel. Jabez is summoned to meet with the Levites to give a first-hand account of the battle. Sh'muel arrives to escort Jabez to the town where the Levites ...
ListenEpisode 16 from 2008-12-09T05:34:29
The men celebrate the victory over the Philistines. Against his better judgment, Jabez accepts refugees from Gath into the camp. After the feast, Jabez retreats to a place of solitude for a time of...
ListenEpisode 15 from 2008-12-02T03:42:09
The army of Judah meets the Philistines in the Valley of Elah. Jabez finds that the Commander of the Army of God is true to his word. The Philistines find their gods are not as strong as they bel...
ListenEpisode 14 from 2008-11-25T04:27:01
Jabez, Ha-Gadol, and several other men scout the Philistine city of Gath. Plans are made to meet the Philistines in the Valley of Elah. The men seek shelter from a storm in a cave. Jabez receives t...
ListenEpisode 13 from 2008-11-18T06:49:03
The Accuser attacks Jabez in the still of the night. Jabez tries to ward off the Accuser's arrows, but his heart is pierced with doubt. Reinforcements arrive, bringing news from home. Jonab brings ...
ListenEpisode 12 from 2008-11-11T06:02:07
Jabez and his men intercept the Philistine merchants, preventing them from entering the land of Judah. The merchants respond to the blockade with a gesture of friendship. When they receive Jabez's ...
ListenEpisode 11 from 2008-11-04T05:43:10
Jabez, Ha-gadol, and one of the Levites travel to Gibeon to meet with representatives from the tribes of Benjamin, Dan, and Ephraim. Ha-gadol almost starts a war. On the way back to Bethlehem, th...
ListenEpisode 10 from 2008-10-28T04:21:46
The moment of blessing is interrupted. Jabez's nephew and nieces escape certain death. Hananeel's neighbor shares Hananeel's secret. What did Eran do to make Jabez shudder? What finally convinces J...
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