Gift Receipts and Returns, Week 10 – Day 1, 1 Samuel 1

Gift Receipts and Returns, Week 10 – Day 1, 1 Samuel 1

Again with the children!  Or more accurately, again with no children.   This time it’s Hannah.  Yeah, there’s the husband Elkanah.  But readings the story he seems to pretty much be a bit player.

So, what can we say to set the stage for what is happening here?  It’s important that we understand how important children were in this culture and at this time.  Children carried on the family name.  Children provided for their parents in their old age.  And providing children was a huge part of what a woman was supposed to bring to a marriage.  Definitely not the way we do or look at things today, but then Hannah doesn’t live today.  She lived then.

And even though it’s obvious that Elkanah cares for Hannah, she is not consoled.   After years of no children and years of being provoked by Elkanah’s other wife Peninnah (again, different times, different customs) Hannah is at the temple weeping and praying.  And she makes a deal with God.  “O Lord Almighty, if You will only look upon Your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget Your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”  On the surface, this doesn’t seem like a good deal.  Give me what I so desperately want, and I’ll give it back to You.

Give me a son and I’ll give him up.  I just don’t comprehend how important having a son was for a women form the place and that time.  But obviously it’s a matter of huge importance to Hannah.  Having a son is so critical that it’s desired even if the son is to be given up.   Oh, and the thing with the razor and the hair, that’s a religious thing that shows the son will be set apart to serve the Lord. 

So  great is her desire to a son, that in her lament and praying she appears dunk to the priest Eli.  After Eli learns of her fervent prayer, he tells her to go in peace and that God will grant her heart’s desire.  And that is enough for her.  No longer downcast, she cleans herself up, worships and goes home. 

There are a number of things that I find of note from this part of the story.  First, in this patriarchal society God once again focuses the story on the woman.  God clearly is an equal opportunity God.

Second, I wonder what and if I have felt as passionate about as Hannah.  We live in a culture that says it’s okay to believe in God, just don’t go overboard.  You can have God as a part of your life, but don’t get carried away.  Clearly Hannah missed that lesson.  She is passionately and vocally seeking  God to provide the desire of her heart.  And she doesn’t care if she looks like a drunk when she does the seeking.  She is out there.  She is passionate.  She is committed.  And she doesn’t care who knows it.  So, what in my life, what in your life are you so passionate about that you will throw yourself at God and not care who sees you doing it?  Unbridled passion in seeking God.  Clearly God isn’t just a small part of her life.  God IS her life.

But always be ready to explain your passion.  Eli, the priest doesn’t even understand what is going on.  And I’ve heard people fault Eli for “jumping to conclusions” regarding Hannah.  But he is willing to listen.  And in listening he hears and has compassion.  I’m not sure my listening skills are up to his standard.  I’m not sure my explaining skills are on a par with Hannah.  Along with Eli’s listening, he’s also willing to bless Hannah, to tell her that God will grant the desire of her heart.  And when Eli pronounces that God will grant her desire, she accepts that on faith.  She sounds a lot like the great heroes of faith.  Trust that God will do what God says He will do long before there is actual evidence that it will happen. 

And finally, don’t hold the desire of your heart too close.  Hannah was willing to dedicate the son she so desperately wanted to God’s service.  Yes, she will see him.  She will visit him.  But her son Samuel won’t live with her.  Often times our walk of faith will require us to give up what we find the most precious.  It’s easy for us to target the love of money as something that can keep us from following God. But the truth is that anything that we hold so closely that it keeps us from following God is a stumbling block.  And we need to be able to let those things go.  This is in keeping with the promise that was made to Abraham.  He was blessed to be a blessing.  What he was given wasn’t just for him.  It was to be passed on.  And in passing it on it’s value is increased beyond measure.  And this makes sense.  If it is of value to us, then it will be of value to others.  And it’s true worth will only be realized when we give it back to God for Him to use as He sees fit.

God, let me be passionate of You and desires of Your heart.  And give me a freedom of heart and mind to let that passion show. God, give me a listen ear and Your compassionate heart when others share their passion with me.  And may I bless them an Eli blessed Hannah.  And Lord, when You do grant my desires, let me not hold them too closely.  The blessing that You give me, may I be just a willing to give up those blessings to You and others that they too may be blessed.  Amen

Leonard