Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory and that your hand might be with me and that you would keep me from hurt and harm!” And God granted what he asked.
–1 Chronicles 4:10

This isn’t a joke, and it isn’t hyperbole.

It’s the State Department.

If you live in Canada, Venezuela, Cuba, Columbia, Panama, or Greenland, we may be coming for you, if rhetoric becomes policy.

At least that is what it sounds like. All of those nations have been threatened by our President with invasion or regime change. In the wake of the situation in Venezuela, many people are genuinely frightened for the future.

“How much land does a man need?”, is the title of Leo Tolstoy’s short story about a man who is convinced (by the devil) to acquire as much land as he can. Did the devil make him do it?

Actually, a guy named Jabez prayed to God, for the same thing.

This verse, from Chronicles, is one of those “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” passages. It falls right in the middle of a long genealogy.

We know virtually nothing about this guy, Jabez, except that his mother had a lot of pain when she delivered him. His name means “suffering”.

When he prayed to God to “increase his territory”, he probably wasn’t talking about a land grab. He was asking for God to equip him for a better, less painful, life.

Jabez prayed for relief from suffering, but the message has been modified over the years into “relief from limits”.

You may remember the book based on this verse, “The Prayer of Jabez”. For a short time in 2000, this book was the book to read. It sold 10 million copies, mostly to evangelical Christians.

The book was an attempt to encourage Christians to boldly ask for what they want. More influence, more visible signs of being blessed by God, that sort of thing. Not demanding…but more manifesting.

Along with some helpful insights, the book walked a dangerous line towards “entitlement”. This is what’s called a “prosperity gospel”, the idea that if you ask hard enough, God will give you exactly what you want. The asking isn’t the problem. The assuming is.

Is there some kind of theological underpinning at play here? We’ve definitely seen a lot of Christian Nationalism lately. Or are we displaying raw power–they have what we want (or don’t want), we’re the biggest kid on the block, and we’re calling the shots.

Regardless of the justification, it’s a dangerous, destructive road to travel.

Alas, it’s the road we’re on. Please join me in advocating for alternate routes. Calling senators. Protesting. Refusing to let my eyes glaze over. And yes, praying.

As a start, I plan to be extra vigilant with how I treat my neighbors. Rather than annexing my neighbor’s backyards, I flipped a few pages over in the Bible, and read some more well-known verses that might speak to “territory”

Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.  Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others.
-Philippians 2:3-4

But he said to them, “The kings of the gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather, the greatest among you must become like the youngest and the leader like one who serves.
-Luke 22:25–26

The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; you shall not murder; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
-Romans 13:9-10

Believe me, I could go on.

All I know is I live in a country that has now declared that “this is our hemisphere”, and I have grave concerns about what that means for the future.

I could put my head down and ignore the whole terrible thing, but as long as our rulers refuse to stay in their lane…

I’m determined not to stay in mine, either. I’m hollering

Turn
Around
Now!

Have a great week,

Mitch