It is impossible to read either the Old or New Testament of Holy Scripture without being confronted with strange names of individuals which we are forced to read. I find it easier to pronounce those strange names when I use the proper vowel sounds. But that makes even the familiar names sound strange to our ears.

It is important to know that every person’s name has a unique meaning which fits his or her role in regard to the life of the community of faith. One of those names we speak in every Eucharist is that of Jabez, as we pray his prayer as it is written in 1 Chronicles 4.10. We call him JAY-BEZ, but the proper pronunciation is YAH-BETZ.

The surprise to us is that the meaning of his name is PAIN! The name was given when he was born because the birth caused his mother so much pain. When he grew up and began to walk with the God of Israel, he asked that God would not limit his life to that of causing pain, but to bless him for his faithfulness.

Here’s the very brief story: 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.’ The meaning of this plea is that he would not be the source of pain. God both heard and honored his prayer: And God granted his request. No matter what others plan for our lives, we have but to cry out to God, and HE WILL FAITHFULLY ANSWER US!