Fri.'s Devo - Expand Our Territory of Influence

We continue with the sons of Judah. Back in chapter 2 verse 24, we read that Hezron died and his wife gave birth to a son named Ashhur, the founder of Tekoa. Tekoa became known as a town of wise people. Ashhur had two wives named Helah meaning "disease: rust: scum" and the other named Naarah which means "a maiden". Some of their sons had good names but others had names that meant "a thorn", "a pit of shame". I write this because in the midst of all these men there was one who stood out in his day and his name was Jabez. He was more honorable than any of his brothers. He had prayed that God would bless him and expand his territory: that God would be with him in all he did and keep him from trouble and pain and God granted his prayer. It was God's will that all the tribes do as Jabez had in his heart to do and that was to expand their territories under the blessing of God. *** The children of Judah were not only the kings but the craftsmen. They made pottery and wove linen. *** The tribe of Simeon was in the midst of Judah like an island in the middle of Judah. Simeon had five sons but the only one who multiplied was the Shimei who had 16 sons and 6 daiughters. So Simeon remained small. Some of them did become wealthy and drove out the descendants of Ham from their land and took the good pastureland. *** Israel's oldest son was Reuben who lost his birthright to Joseph when he slept with his father's concubine. Next to Rueben was Gad who lived in the land of Bashan. They were divided into 7 clans. *** In Acts, Paul's case had become comical. The Jews hated him so much they were determined to kill him. Festus didn't know what to do with Paul. He had clearly done nothing wrong but the Jews are adamant that he had. The Jews wanted the trial moved to Jerusalem but Paul knew he would not get a fair trial there so he appealed to Caesar. *** Agrippa and his wife Bernice came to visit Festus and Festus asked his help to know what to write to Caesar about Paul. He felt silly sending him a case to try when there were no charges. Agrippa asked to meet with Paul and hear his testimony. *** I can't help but think how this applies to today and what is going on in our nation and government. People hate Trump without a cause. He has been accused of so many erronious things that had no truth to them. But God judges and he is always vindicated. *** Lord, you are our judge and you bring justice to your children. Thank you that our day is coming for blessing and the day of judgment is coming for the wicked. May you expand our territory of influence and cause us to be a blessing to the whole earth.