The Man Of Honour

1 Chronicles 4 vs 9-10

As I read these two verses around the life of Jabez, its amazing to see how much literature has been written around his prayer. Most people only concern themselves with 'God bless me and expand my territory.' Their only concern is that their lives are full of pain and sorrow as compared to Jabez causing his mother much pain during his birth, and because of that they believe they have a somewhat divine kind of right to pray the way Jabez prayed (I'm not against the way Jabez prayed, in fact I'm all for it). The cause of God answering his prayer wasn't because of his name or that he caused his mother so much pain during birth. It simply was as his introduction states: he was a man of Honour, "...was more honorable than any of his brothers." (1 Chronicles 4 vs 9)

We could speculate as to many things as to why the Bible says he was an honorable man. He was honorable because he kept all of God's commands. He was honorable maybe because he kept his cool and humble enough to be quiet when teased and mocked because of his name even though at the back of his mind it hurt to be reminded of how much pain he brought to his mother. There are many differing speculations that can be brought to the table explaining Jabez's honorability. I believe though, because it's mentioned in scripture, that Jabez was a man who honored God above all else.

We must be reminded nonetheless that pain during childbirth cannot be fully attributed to the child being born but is a natural process of life as God has stated that he will increase pain during childbirth when he spoke to Eve in the garden after she sinned by eating of the tree that they were told not to (Genesis 3 vs 16). 

The word for Honour in this context is the same word used for 'Glory' in other portions of scripture in the Old Testament. It speaks of God's Glory. So it would be safe to say that Jabez being an 'honorable man', knew exactly how to give God 'Glory'. Jabez can be characterized as a man who honours God with all of his life and not just being remembered as a man who once brought pain to his mother. Jabez could have been constantly reminded of the meaning of his name wherever he went. But God changed all that. He can no longer be remembered as the man of pain - But as the 'Man of Honour.' 

Taking into consideration, many people want to pray those very words of Jabez and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. We must be mindful though, of more than just the pain, we should endeavour to become men and women of Honour. In knowing how to honour God, we become blessed by him to be a blessing to others.  God grants the request of those who know how to honour him with their lives by giving Him Glory and keeping none for themselves. 

The principle of Honour is that we lift God up more than ourselves and others. Honouring God makes us honourable before others as was said about Jabez, "He was more honourable than his brothers" (1 Chronicles 4 vs 9).

It takes only two verses to describe this man and the kind of life he lived. We don't need a lengthy introduction or an entire autobiography to show the world how we choose to live for God. How about you today? Can we still live lives of Honour before God and are known as 'Honourable' to others?

There is so much more to Honouring God but for today - Give Him Glory and choose to Honour Him. 

Much Blessings, 

Shane