Another of my favourite passages! How is it I get so lucky?! My first daughter is named after the woman featured at the beginning of this passage. You know why? Because through thick and thin, Hannah had a strong, unwavering relationship with God and that's my prayer for my daughter.
Hannah talked to God, she sought God, and she honoured the vows she made to God at any cost, including giving her son to the priesthood at a VERY young age. To only see your son only once a year (or even a few more times, for those who argue the term "yearly" here isn't referring to a literal 365 days, but rather to "regularly throughout the year" ~ it's still not the same has having your kid at home!!) from the time he's around 4 years old is rather unimagineable! This woman was SOLD OUT for God!!
I love John MacArthur's examination of Hannah, calling her a "portrait of feminine grace" in his book Twelve Extraordinary Women. (I'd encourage any woman with a heart for God to pick up the book!) Though she almost always makes it into books about the Bible's famous women, Hannah is NOT among the ancestors of Christ like all the others. Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Rahab, Ruth, and even Tamar are all part of Jesus' lineage, but Hannah is not. Her famous dedicatory prayer, however, is a messianic hymn, and interestingly, Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1 follows it fairly closely in form and content. Clearly, Hannah's hope was firmly established in God. (I guess Abigail ~ whom my second daughter is named for ~ would be the other notable exception to the above list of famous OT women.)
Hannah obviously suffered the torment of having to share her husband with a woman who despised her, and worse, was able to bear children when she wasn't in a society and culture where children were marks of worth and success. But still, Hannah's hope remained steadfast, her relationship with God wasn't shaken, and she was rewarded not only with the birth of Samuel, but 2:21 says, "God was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters" after Samuel was already living in the temple.
"Her extraordinary life," says MacArthur, "stands as a wonderful example to women today who want their homes to be places where God is honored, even in the midst of a dark and sinful culture. Hannah showed us what the Lord can do through one woman totally and unreservedly devoted to Him." (p. 105)
And then also in this passage we have the amazing call of Samuel when he was only very young. We see the extreme corruption of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, and God's design to replace them with Hannah's humble, gracious sacrifice. This is also the beginning of the end of an era in Israel. For the last almost 400 years, they've been governed by judges; Samuel is the last one. He's also the first major prophet since Moses. He's the transition from Israel's theocratic system of leadership to the monarchy system that began with Saul.
I love 3:19 ~ "The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground." What a loaded verse!
This commentary says,
Wow, that's just an examination of ONE verse!! There's just SO much going on in today's passage! So much food for thought and inspiration and encouragement! I hope you found it that way, too.a. The Lord was with him: Is there anything better than this? To have, and to know you have, the Lord with you? For the Christian, we can know we have God with us: If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
- William Newell, in his commentary on Romans, speaks well to this point: “Our weak hearts, prone to legalism and unbelief, receive these words with great difficulty: God is for us . . . They have failed Him; but He is for them. They are ignorant; but He is for them. They have not yet brought forth much fruit; but He is for them.” God is not for us because we are so good, or so great, but because of who we are in Jesus. God is for you. God is with you, even if you are not as good as Samuel, because you have given to you the goodness of Jesus.
b. Let none of his words fall to the ground: This means ALL of Samuel’s prophecies came to pass, and were known to be true words from God. Therefore, all Israel . . . knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the Lord.
- Since the days of Moses there have not been many prophets in Israel, and certainly no great prophets. Now, at this important time in Israel’s history, God raises up Samuel as a prophet.
- Coming in this place in Israel’s history, Samuel is rightly seen as Israel’s last judge and first prophet. Samuel bridges the gap between the time of the judges, and the time of the monarchy when prophets (such as Nathan, Elijah, and Isaiah) spiritually influenced the nation.
- Through the book of judges, when God raised up a judge, he led the nation mostly through political and military influence. Samuel, as a judge, mainly led the nation by his spiritual influence.
Tomorrow's passage: I Samuel 4:12 - 8:22.
3 comments:
I really love the stories of Hannah and of Samuel as well. I especially loved Hannah's song.
I also took note of the fact that Eli's sons were wicked, and therefore not only did THEY have to die, but Eli was also held responsible for not restraining them. What a caution to parents to teach our children to make good choices and discipline them when necessary.
Hannah's faith and commitment to keep her promise is amazing. And, yes, she was blessed with 5 more children, but...
1) that didn't make her miss Samuel any less (as all us mother's could testify to!)
2) we know that from hindsight, but she sure didn't! As far as she knew she was giving up her only child. That's just incredible.
I agree, Miriam, this passage just drives home what an awesome responsibility parenting is. We are not responsible for our children's choices, but we are responsible for training them, which incluces discipline and/or consequences, even as adults (like Eli's sons were).
Also a great reminder that we are never to put a ministry ahead of our responsibilities to our families.
MacArthur's look at Hannah places a huge emphasis on godly parenting. Especially since we see Eli as obviously not being a very good parent. Unfortunately, we'll see later that Samuel, while learning many good things from his mom in his youth, obviously got his parenting style from Eli.
Post a Comment