We cannot say that all of the names in the long lists in this section of God's Word were believers, but we are reminded of another record, that unseen book of life, which bears many names (Philippians 4:33And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlaborers, whose names are in the book of life. (Philippians 4:3)) precious to God. What title must one have to be enrolled here ? Sinners saved through Christ.
"We ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another, but after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:3-73For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3‑7).
In Jabez (verse 9) we see a believer of whom God has taken care to have us know not only that his name is in the book of life, but that he was more honorable than his brethren; grief had attended his birth instead of the usual rejoicing, so that his mother named him Sorrowful, but he called on the God of Israel in a prayer of faith suited to the day in which he lived, and God gave him what he asked.
Does the reader so keep God before him as (lid Jabez, seeking from Himself and not from man, for blessing, for larger ability to serve Him, for His protection and guidance, and to be kept from the evil so abundant in our day?
Simeon's family follows the record of Judah's host (verse 24).