Christian Living

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A Woman with Unshakable Confidence in the LORD Will Be Praised
The Joy of the LORD is Her Strength

They were just another family in Israel - Elkanah, his two wives Hannah and Peninnah, as well as Peninnah’s children who traveled each year to the Tabernacle in Shiloh for the summer First Fruits festival where they praised and thanked the LORD of Hosts for His abundance. Every year Elkanah first presented the offerings and sacrifices, then returned with the portion of the meal for his family. He always distributed meat to Penninah and her children, then, demonstrating his special love for Hannah, gave her a double portion. The jealous Penninah would mock and ridicule the barren Hannah, each venomous word crafted to inflict maximum humiliation. The ploy always worked. Hannah would cry, too upset to enjoy her double portion. Year after year the vicious cycle continued. Elkanah tried to console her. “Why do you cry and not eat? Why are you so sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” Hannah treasured his love but his words did not assuage her longing for a child. How could she continue to live with inner desolation surrounded by hatred? Hannah fled to plead her case to the only One who could make a difference.

Eli the Priest, relaxing at the Tabernacle entrance, watched the hysterical woman approach. Weeping uncontrollably she stood in front of the Tabernacle - her moving lips uttered no sound, so he assumed she was intoxicated. Oblivious to her surroundings, all Hannah’s pent up bitterness, sorrow, and turmoil gushed forth in silent pleading. “O LORD of Hosts,” she vowed, “if you will look with compassion on the suffering of Your female servant, remembering me and not forgetting Your servant, and give a son to Your servant, I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life. His hair will never be cut.”

Eli’s patience wore thin. When she didn’t leave he confronted her, “How often do you intend to get drunk? Put away your wine!” Startled by his harsh accusation, Hannah responded, “That’s not the way it is, my lord! I am under a great deal of stress. I’ve had nothing to drink – neither wine nor beer – I’ve poured out my soul to the LORD. Don’t consider your servant a wicked woman. I’ve only spoken from my deep pain and anguish.” Eli reconsidered his harsh judgment. “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the request that you have asked of Him.” “May I, your servant, find favor in your sight,” she responded. Strengthened and encouraged by both the Priest’s blessing and confidence in the LORD, a composed Hannah returned to the family celebration. It was, after all, the Peace Offering festivities and finally, she was at peace.

It was several years before Hannah returned with the family to Shiloh. The LORD had responded to Hannah’s plea – she was caring for her son. Further, she had a plan. “Once the boy is weaned,” Hannah told Elkanah, “I will bring him and appear before the LORD. He will stay there from then on.” Elkanah agreed. “Do what you think best. Stay until you have weaned him. May the LORD fulfill His promise.”

When the appointed time arrived, Hannah, Elkanah, and the boy returned to Shiloh. Once the Peace Offering was completed, they paid a visit. Eli had to be reminded of their previous encounter. “Just as surely as you are alive, my lord, I am the woman who previously stood here with you in order to pray to the LORD. I prayed for this boy, and the LORD has given me the request that I asked of Him. Now I dedicate him to the LORD. From this time on he is dedicated to the LORD.” The three worshipped the LORD. In turn, Eli blessed Hannah and Elkanah: “May the LORD raise up for you descendants from this woman to replace the one that she dedicated to the LORD.” Elkanah and Hannah returned home. The LORD responded to Eli’s prayer - Hannah gave birth to three more sons and two daughters but the boy, whom Hannah named Samuel (because, she thought “I asked the LORD for him”), stayed in Shiloh and grew up at the LORD’s sanctuary under the supervision of Eli the Priest. Each time the family traveled to Shiloh, tucked in the luggage was a new linen robe, sewn with love and sized just for Samuel so he would be appropriately dressed as he served the LORD in the Tabernacle.

During this time in Israel, word from the LORD was rare and revelatory visions infrequent. Late one evening Eli and the boy were in the Tabernacle when the LORD called to Samuel. Thinking it was Eli, he replied, “Here I am!” When there was no response Samuel ran to Eli. “Here I am - you called me.” Eli was puzzled. “I didn’t call you. Go back and lie down.” Samuel left, but twice more he heard the Voice calling “Samuel!” Samuel didn’t yet know the LORD and thus, didn’t recognize His voice. The third time Samuel went to Eli, he realized that it was the LORD calling Samuel. “Go back and lie down,” Eli directed. “When He calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” Samuel obeyed. Then the LORD came and stood nearby, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel replied, “Speak, for Your servant is listening!” Samuel listened as the LORD gave him the first of myriad revelations and prophesies.

The LORD was with Samuel as he matured into the greatest national spiritual leader and judge since Moses. The entire nation acknowledged Samuel was a prophet of the LORD – all his prophecies and visions were fulfilled. Through Samuel Israel smoothly transitioned from the time of the judges to the age of the monarchy and was mourned by the entire nation when he died, at about 80.

The world is blessed because one fed-up woman refused to accept an untenable status quo and took action. Hannah had done nothing to deserve despicable treatment and she was determined to no longer be victimized by circumstances not of her own making. Rather than running away, hiding, or resorting to self-help, Hannah presented her case to the Righteous Judge. Hannah, not the circumstances, changed. When all her burdens were released to the LORD for His resolution Hannah was transformed from victim to victor. She was at peace - her strength and deliverance from the LORD. Hannah returned to the same conditions but responded from different perspective - both the problem and solution belonged to the LORD. A special woman of God was needed to nurture Samuel through his early years and prepare him to appropriately respond to the LORD’s voice. If not for the agony and humiliation would Hannah have come to come to end of herself and personally experienced the LORD’s faithful, loyal, unconditional love? She received the blessing only after she determined to trust in the LORD. When Hannah kept her vow, the blessings continued.

In Hannah’s eloquent exaltation of the LORD, each phrase details both her experience and His loving intervention. It was preserved for us as an encouragement and an example of how to live.

“My heart rejoices in the LORD; my horn (strength) is exalted high because of the LORD.
I loudly denounce my enemies, for I am happy that You delivered me.
No one is holy like the LORD! There is no one other than You! There is no rock like our God!
Don’t keep speaking so arrogantly, letting proud talk come out of your mouth!
For the LORD is a God who knows; He evaluates what people do.
The bows of warriors are shattered, but those who stumble find their strength reinforced.
Those who are well-fed hire themselves out to earn food, but the hungry no longer lack.
Even the barren woman gives birth to seven, but the one with many children withers away.
The LORD both kills and gives life; He brings down to the grave and raises up.
The LORD impoverishes and makes wealthy; He humbles and He exalts.
He lifts the weak from the dust;
He raises the poor from the ash heap to seat them with princes and to bestow on them an honored position.

The foundations of the earth belong to the LORD, and He has placed the world on them.
He watches over His holy ones, but the wicked are made speechless in the darkness,
for it is not by one’s own strength that one prevails.
The LORD shatters His adversaries; He thunders against them from the heavens.
The LORD executes judgment to the ends of the earth.
He will strengthen His king and exalt the power of His anointed one.”

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