Does it ever occur to you that this book wasn’t written in the 21st century, the 20th century, nor even the Middle Ages? It certainly wasn’t written in English. Just look at those names: Idbash, Hazzelelponi, Haahashtari, Jekuthiel.
You may recognize one name in there, especially if you were a Christian in the early 2000s. The name: Jabez, in 4:9. His prayer was turned into a book and was a best seller. Millions in the bank for some guy named Bruce, who stumbled across this name Jabez, and his prayer, in some obscure genealogies.
It has been many years since I read The Prayer of Jabez, but I must say I like his prayer. I even pray it myself sometimes. “Lord, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that I might not cause pain.” You can try it too. God just might hear it and do something about it, like he did for Jabez.
In closing, I want to be like the potters of Netaim and Gederah–who lived in the King’s service. I also want to find a land like the guys in 4:34-40: a rich land, good pastures…a broad, quiet, peaceful land.
Omer Redden 