31 集
Jabez: Conceived in Pain, Delivered in Victory Bob Rench | Scribl
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- 宗教與靈修
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.
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Jabez 27
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 anger and shame burn within him at the charges leveled against him. How does Mishael react when he hears of the theft? What answer does Jabez give Jeruel regarding the bride-price for Elishua? (Chapters 61 - 63)
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Jabez 29
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 gives a precious gift to Jabez? Was Jabez's pledge to the Philistine broken? (Chapters 66 - 68)
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Jabez 30
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 pledge and bears testimony to Jabez's honor. Mishael and Elishua are joined together in marriage. To whom does Eran give the credit for tracking down the Philistine and Elishua? To what does Mishael give the credit for defeating Kelb-bar-Berakh? (Chapters 69 & 70)
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Jabez 31
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 the Epilogue, the historical significance of Jabez's life -- and his prayer -- are revealed. How much influence did the story of Jabez's life and his prayer have over his beloved Dodo? (Chapter 71 & Epilogue)
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Episode 1
We meet Jabez, a man in his nineties, who has traveled through the deserts of Judah to tell the story of his life to his great-grandson. Why is Jabez's lineage missing from the Bible, though his prayer is mentioned? How can an impotent man father a child? Why did his mother call him "Jabez", which is the Hebrew word for "pain"? (Prologue, Chapters 1 - 2)
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Episode 2
We learn how the circumstances of his birth caused his family to reject Jabez. Who stops Jabez's father from killing the boy? What is the significance of the ram's horn? How will God respond to the challenge Jabez lays out? (Chapters 3 - 4)