Some from the tribes of Judah

I Chronicles Chapter 4

Some of the descendants of Judah are listed in verses 1 thru 8. There was a man named Jabez who was more distinguishable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez (meaning distress or pain) because his birth was so painful. He prayed to God to bless him and extend his lands. But above all, he prayed for God to be with him in all that he did and to keep him from trouble and pain. God granted his request.

Verses 11 thru 20 list more sons of those from Judah and verse 21 lists the descendants of Judah's son Shelah. Shelah's sons were Er, Laadah, Jokim, and Jashubi-lehem. These names came from ancient records and they were all potters who worked for the king.

The descendants of Simeon were Nemuel, Jamin, jarib, Zerah, and Shal.Their sons generations are listed in verses 24 thru 33. Other descendants of Simeon were Meshobab, Jamlec, Joshah, Joel, Jehu, Elioenai, Jaakobah, Jeshohaiah, Asaiah, Adiel, Jesimiel, Benaiah and Ziza. These were the names of some of Simeon's wealthy clans who went to Gedor seeking pastureland for their flocks.

Some of Ham's descendants had been living in Gedor, but during the reign of King Hezekiah, the leaders of Simeon invade it and completely destroyed the home of the descendants of Ham and the Meunites.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Othniel is listed as a descendant and was Israel's first judge. He reformed the nation and brought peace to the land. His story is in Judges 1:9-15 and 3: 5-11. Caleb was listed too and was one of the 12 scouts sent into the promised land by Moses. He and Joshua were the only two scouts to return with a positive report, believing in God's promise to help the Israelites conquer the land.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? My NLT Bible has selected Jabez to be remembered for his heroic act in asking God to bless him, help him in his work and be with him in all he did. When we pray for God's blessing, we should also ask him to take his rightful position as Lord in our work, our family time and our recreation. Jabez prayed specifically, do you?

In our sinful world it is still important for us to ask God to keep us safe and guard us from evil in our thoughts and actions. We can fill our minds with positive thoughts and attitudes to help utilize God's protection.
Praise be to God!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
My niece Suzanne who was in a terrible car accident and is in the hospital with many broken bones. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents. especially her mother whose cancer has returned, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues..
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
Pray for the speedy recovery of Sandy in Minnesota who underwent successful brain surgery for a tumor recently.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.