A Tiny, Obscure Verse but Whao!

Do you remember about seven or eight years ago Bruce Wilkinson wrote a small book titled, The Prayer of Jabez? (I still don’t know how to pronounce this guy’s name Jaabezz or Jĕbez. Can some one help me?)

What is fascinating to me about this book was that Bruce uncovered this tiny obscure couple of verses buried in, of all places, 1 Chronicles.

1 Chronicles 4:9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.

Okay, now I admit that in my yearly reading I might have skipped through some of those chapters verses. Sounding out the names of these guys was enough to fry my brain.

1 Chronicles 1:20-13 Joktan begat Almodad, and Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth, and Jerah, Hadoram also, and Uzal, and Diklah, and Ebal, and Abimael, and Sheba,

Heck, I don’t think I knew what begat meant for years. *just kiddin’ around*

Yawn!

But in this odd book where the Israelites’ lineage is recorded, Bruce discovered a treasure. I love that about the word of God. I find it exciting to read a scripture verse that feels new or fresh. For some reason its like the first time I have read it and it becomes alive. I know this has happened to you too.

Well, On April 3rd I was reading in the book of Deuteronomy. This is another book of rules, regs and stuff, yawn. However, I had a Bruce moment. I discovered a verse I never remember reading before. This little verse will not let me go. I have thought upon it and thought upon it and thought some more.

Light bulb moment!

I realize God wants this verse to be relevant to me. God’s word, even the Old Testament, is relevant today.

So I was wondering if the Lord wanted me to share it with you. Guess what? That is when I posted the poll with several subjects. I hope you were able to vote.

Which of the following topics would you like to read more about?
Tithing in a spiritually divided home. 27%
Spiritual leadership in a spiritually divided home. 45%
Praying at meals in a spiritually divided home. 21%
Welcoming the Holy Spirit into your spiritually divided home. 48%

If you see the results, you my friends, also want to learn about this as well. It was a close call and I do plan to post on all of these subjects in the future, as they are difficult issues for all of us in unequally yoked marriages.

But today we are going to learn about welcoming the Holy Spirit into our spiritually divided home.

What I have on my heart to share is just some thoughts that came from thinking about this little ole verse. Why is it in the Bible. Why is it important? WHY IS GOD POUNDING IT INTO MY HEAD?

So here we go….

Deuteronomy 23:14 (New International Version) For the LORD your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you.

Hmmmmm. Do we have a camp? Does God move around in it? Does our camp, if we have one, need to be holy? If there is something indecent in our “camp” would he turn away? Does this verse apply to the year 2008? Does this verse apply to me? What does it all mean?

Ooooooooo, good questions. Well at least I thought they were. I have been talking with the Lord about this verse now for 28 days. And, I am going to share thoughts with you Monday… Same time…. Same place…. Please tune in..

Now for today…. There is not a right or wrong answer. So my question to you is, Do you have a camp? What is it? Let’s start with that and we will talk more about it Monday. Leave me your thoughts. I am thrilled to hear your perspective. Be Blessed, Lynn

Comments

[ann_in_grace]

Hello Lynn :)
You might take some time and listen to this:
http://www.thegracelifepulpit.com/audio/GL-2002-SC-003-PJ.mp3

It is Phil Johnson, from Grace To You (John MacArthur church) on Jabez....

[Cory]

Lynn, great question. I see my camp as my family and home, extended family and close friends that we spend time together in fellowship. Those people in my life that I have an impact upon, hopefully always in a positive, God-glorifying way. Thanks and Take care, Cory

[Heather Young]

The old testament often speaks to me--I LOVE Nehemiah for that reason. It will be interesting to read what God is doing.

[e-Mom]

Hmmm, more "camping" going on in this post! I'm starting to get a message here. Our homes are a very important place to the Lord, aren't they? Thanks, I'll take this verse to heart. :~D

[Rosheeda]

Ironically enough, I've been wanting you to do another study. Craving it actually. My camp, yeah I'd say my family and my fella. I feel like Joshua w/those jokers. This should really be convicting for me. (Can you just see my eyebrow raised, as I say: Yay, God!?)

[Dee]

The camp of the Lord's is my mind and heart and if I don't keep them clean He won't camp out in them.

[Dineen Miller]

Ewwww, can't wait to hear more. Yes, I think there's meaning here for us today. Our body's are a temple for the Holy Spirit and I think our homes should reflect that. We need to be careful of what we bring into it, and be diligent what we let out...

[Amanda]

Looking forward to Monday. I just found your blog last night and am so excited. You and your hubby sound a lot like me and mine of nearly 12 years. We are as spiritually unequal as you can get...but God has been teaching me and continues to do so about how to reconcile this. My camp is definitely my home, my hubby, and my new baby boy (well he's almost 1, but that's still new to me). Can't wait until Monday.

[Patricia]

Great question & I can't wait until Monday!! I was hoping this particular topic would be the first one you discussed! yay!

OK...my camp? Definitely my home, meaning my family...but then I saw Dineen's fabulous answer & thought that I should start with ME & get that "cleaned up"...and then branch out to hubby & daughter. In other words, I have to be "the light" first for hubby to follow.
LOVE this, Lynn!! Hugs & Have a great weekend!

[Patricia]

Great question & I can't wait until Monday!! I was hoping this particular topic would be the first one you discussed! yay!

OK...my camp? Definitely my home, meaning my family...but then I saw Dineen's fabulous answer & thought that I should start with ME & get that "cleaned up"...and then branch out to hubby & daughter. In other words, I have to be "the light" first for hubby to follow.
LOVE this, Lynn!! Hugs & Have a great weekend!

[Peggy]

My camp is threefold:1)my personal body, mind and soul 2)my homefront:family, loved ones, my church family 3)the mission field God places me in...wherever He purposes I "camp out" to accomplish His Purpose and Plan for my life to be complete in Him...it could be my neighbors in my neighborhood, it could be my church involvement, or my place of work...right now, it's Mexico.
ALL that I AM is HIS CAMP...ALL that HE IS to me ENCOMPASSES my CAMP...what goes in me
is what comes out...like computers INPUT>>>OUTPUT! I have to force myself not to read the other comments before I write or they might influence or alter mine...so LOOKING FORWARD to RECEIVING YOUR INPUT on Mon.,LYNN & READING WHAT THE REST SAID NOW

[Angela]

I am a little behind on my reading. I had a women's conference this past weekend so I haven't pick up my computer for a few days. I felt that my house was God's and because my husband wasn't saved the Lord would not Bless my home. After much thought and prayer I decited to leave my husband because I wanted those Blessings. When I had a heart to do whatever it took to place God first in my home he honored me by bringing my husband to a point in his life where he knew he needed God and he was saved. Now we fight together to protect out home "camp" and allow the presence of the Holy Spirit to dwell with in. Have a Blessed Day in the Lord,
Angela

[Mary Cox-Pace]

Awesome site! God's protection...Yesss! I have few words that can possibly describe my awe of God's powerful presence in my life saving me from physical attack, fallen tree limbs, drowning. Born with less than 3 % use of my left arm and 7 in my right, confined to a motorized wheelchair--I depend on God to keep me in His care.

Mary