St. Timothy's Church

November 15, 2009

1 Samuel 1:4-20

The Rev. W. Terry Sweeney

“Carpe Diem”

“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it”

In The Name of God: + Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

It seems like a few days ago but I look back and our sons are no longer in elementary school – they’re headed off to Carson-Newman College in just 10 months.

It seems like yesterday but it’s been 31 years, 6 months, 14 days, 23 hours and roughly 30 minutes (give or take a few) since I first met Olivia.

Time goes by quickly and the older we get the faster it goes!

In our days that come and go some have been extraordinary in either great enjoyment, beauty, awe or wonder. . . . some could be assessed as extraordinarily regrettable, or sad.

The majority have been good days with moments of up’s or down’s but all in all pretty plain. . . . . what some would refer to as same-old-same-old . . ordinary living.

Many of us have routines – that are repeated hundreds if not thousands of times in our lives – morning routines, what we eat, when we eat it, what we watch on TV or what time we go to bed. . . . there are dozens of “routines” we keep.

This is what we call ordinary – common, uneventful, usual, plain, daily – living.

From time to time the “routine” is changed either for the good or the bad. . . . and I’d suggest that God has a perspective on our lives that we should not forget:

Psalm 118.24 says, “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Every day we have comes from the Lord and it is His – we are to live it fully – and I would add be prepared to see Him revealed in the ordinary-ness as we might call it.

This morning we are going to explore an ordinary event – a woman giving birth to a child.

We’re going to see how the ordinary to us can be designed by God for a much greater purpose

David Tsumura, professor of Old Testament at Japan Bible Seminary, noted that “If an incident in a woman’s ordinary family life could be such a significant step in the eternal plan of a saving God, each day can be no less significant to a believer for God’s plan and purpose.”

An ordinary event in our lives could be a significant event in God’s eternal plan for His kingdom.

Let’s turn to 1 Samuel Chapter 1 verse 4.

1 Samuel starts off by telling us something about the family – its composition (husband: Elkanah, Peninnah (who ha d children) and Hannah (barren), where they live, something about Elkanah’s family tree.

Most notable is that Elkanah had two wives and they worship the LORD Almighty. (also translated the “Lord of Hosts” – the first time this is used in scripture).

One had children and one was barren. . . not uncommon if the man was well to do and one wife could not have children. . . . but we can also suspect this is going to play a deeper role in this story. . . . as it does with the Patriarchs.

We’re also told the family routinely made a least one pilgrimage to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the LORD Almighty.

4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb.

An animal or two was slaughtered and some of the meat was saved for his family.

Peninnah and her children were given a portion of the meat. BUT Hannah was given a double portion because he loved her.

More than likely Hannah was Elkanah’s favorite – it probably means that he married Peninnah for the sake of having children but his heart was for Hannah.

It’s interesting to note that the Hebrew translated double portion literally means “two noses” . . . . . there were portions of the animal that were often sacrificed to the Lord. . . . one being the snout and the other the throat.

Since sheep were often sacrificed in two’s in ancient Canaan, to say she received “two noses” probably means she received the snouts or a snout and throat from two sacrificed animals . . . . a way of showing how greatly favored she was over Peninnah.

Evidence of his love comes again in just a few verses. . . . .

6 And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year.

We won’t hear a thing about Peninnah from here on out – but even though she’s in the background we have to admit she’s a constant strain on the marriage because she’s a rival wife, clearly similar to Hagar taunting Sarah.

Since Peninnah had sons and daughters the strain Hannah felt may have been going on for years.

An ordinary day for Hannah was to feel the pain of being childless – while Peninnah and her children occupied the same household and competed for the affections of Elkanah.

I wonder how many times Hannah went to bed sad – crying – wondering when of if God would change her circumstances.

7b Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Elkanah her husband would say to her, "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don't you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?"

Peninnah found ways to taunt Hannah without Elkanah knowing it (catty type of infighting) . . . . this time the taunting really got to her.

So, Elkanah’s upset because his wife is upset: he asked her three why’s (crying, won’t eat, are sad) and a “don’t I’ (make you happy?). . . . . and as sad as she is she never told him what Peninnah did.

I’ve know people over the years that “get the blues” – some people have winter depression – some are naturally melancholy - others are episodic (bi-polar)

Years ago I asked our church in Virginia to raise their hands if their doctor has ever prescribed anti-depression medicine for them and at least 75% of the hands went up!

They want to live an ordinary life – being downcast and sad or sensitive and quick to cry or need to be alone is the “ordinary” life they want to live..

Their wives or husbands try encouragement – they may say they love the person just as they are – the problem is, the person doesn’t love themselves the way they are.

They’re looking for some way to dig themselves out of the pit of their ordinary life.

They have a great desire “not to be ordinary” and be like everyone around them whose ordinary lives don’t generally include depression.

If a person is wheelchair bound ordinary for them is something most of us cannot relate to – professing our love as a means of leveling the playing field is a noble gesture but it often falls well short.

Encouragement is vitally important because it helps us fight through the discouragement of the situation we’re facing . . . . .

Here’s the problem – our human efforts to fix the problem drive us to Him who and true source of help . . . the Lord Almighty.

9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking (the family meal was finished) in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the LORD's temple. 10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. 11 And she made a vow, saying, "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." 12 As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk

Eli, the senior priest of the temple, is sitting in a chair near the entrance (the chair was a sign of his high-priesthood)

It’s after dinner and Hannah went to the temple to take her problem directly to God.

Crying real hard she pours her emotions out to God.

The years of pain and frustration coming to a head and erupting from her soul and spilling out in wailing and tears and reaching out to God for His help. . . do something!

For what ever reason she finally says help me – give me a child and I’ll go as far as to give him back to you!

In her heart of hearts it’s a done deal – she’s so sincere in this vow its as if she had already given the child up before she even gave birth to him.

In Genesis 22 Abraham is given a child and then commanded to give him up, here Hannah promises to give him up before she has him – both are acting on great personal need and faith.

There is an expression in healing circles called “soaking prayer” – I take that to mean long, focused, intentional prayer by one or more people for someone. . . . the prayer may be literally for hours and involved silence, shouting, speaking in tongues, anointing, rebuking of the disease and so forth.

v. 12 literally says that Hannah “is praying before the Lord” – the first time this expression is used in the OT. [STANDING – literally before God]

She is fully absorbed – focused – concentrating – giving her attention to being in the LORD’s presence in prayer . . . . . .

Her thoughts are zeroed in on God – her mouth moving – she’s not aware of anyone near her – she’s got one thing on her mind.

It’s what we might call forgetting one’s self. FULLY absorbed in prayer before God.

14 and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine." 15 "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief."

Eli –watching all of this for some reason thinks she is drunk! So he told her to stop drinking.

Hannah explained that she wasn’t drunk but in deep distress – I’m praying!!!!

She’s quite determined to take this issue to God and I would add was so focused on her intent she just wasn’t aware of Eli’s presence . . . she didn’t care anyway as far as I can tell other than to care that he did not misjudge her.

Don’t count me as a worthless woman!

The literal term used here is “don’t see me as a Daughter of Beliyaal” a tem that’s used several times in Samuel in various ways – sons of B, Man of B, etc.

The connotation here is evil –death – a character that is destructive, harmful or evil.

As intense as her prayer is, so is her defense of herself: I’m not evil, I’m troubled.

17 Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." 18 She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

This is the only place in the OT where a priest blesses an individual.

In v. 7 she could not eat or drink and now after intense prayer, pouring out her heart to God and hearing Eli’s blessing she ate!

Eli’s blessing is taken to be God’s confirming word that He has heard her cry’s and will answer the prayer as she has asked.

Her mental state changed dramatically once Eli spoke God blessing – her burden was replaced with confidence.

She would not longer hear Peninnah’s taunts the same way – she could deflect them with the sword of the spirit and the shield of faith and wait with faith upon the Lord.

This is the power of God working through Eli and I would say working through His Church today.

We are not in the business of offering false hope but instead of as the Spirit leads us to offer hope and blessing in the Name of the Risen Savior.

When we walk with the Lord as the Irish say “in the Thin Place” where God is very close we can with confidence offer God riches and blessing to people in want.

Hannah entered the sanctuary at Shiloh in great distress and walked out a different woman.

19 Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. 20 So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him."

I cannot emphasize this enough – v. 8 she cried, couldn’t eat and was sad . . . v. 20 she conceived, gave birth and named her son “Samuel” – offering.

God’s actions are evident over years of living – His actions unfold over time, often into generations.

1 Samuel discloses a new era in Israel’s life – the era of kings – was signified and instituted by the birth of a kingmaker: Samuel.

Samuel is not a prophet in Israel but the one God would use to first appoint Saul then David king.

Samuel is a lead character in the transition from Judges whose heroics more than once saved Israel to kings who among them were great and mighty and some who were evil.

Through Samuels ministry we see the building up of the House of David.

If we consider this for a moment we can see that this is a difficult period in Israel’s life – maybe one of its darkest moments.

Shiloh is the primary place of worship – the Ark of God is kept there – but it will be soon taken by the Philistines . . . .this has never happened before . . . it’s in these dark days that God in His infinite timing opened Hannah’s womb and birthed Samuel.

Is there a great lesson for us to ponder? Yes.

 

Regardless how desperate our circumstances appear to be – God is at work among us – sovereign - governing His people in ways to fulfill His purposes.

The birth of every child is a miracle, considering the many things that must happen for a child to progress from insemination through live birth.

Samuel’s birth was exceptionally miraculous given his mothers history of barrenness –

Hannah could rightly rejoice before the Lord for His goodness and favor toward her.

But you know what? As thankful as she was and as miraculous as she may have thought his birth was – she didn’t have a clue as to the role he would play in God’s redemptive plan.

God used the birth of a child to keep his covenant with Abraham, and to further His plan for redemption.

In fact the birth of children has always been God’s way of working out His eternal plan!

Clearly ONE birth stands out among all the others – doesn’t it!

Samuel’s birth follows in the pattern of Sampson, and Isaac, and Jacob and David - a barren mother, a father who loved her above any other wife, often taunted by a rival wife.

. . God eventually using the ordinary act of child bearing for something amazing to work out His purposes.

Remember Ruth married Boaz – through God’s grace – and they had a son named Obed who had a son named Jesse who had a son named David who was anointed King of Israel by Samuel (Hannah’s son)!!

Matthew’s gospel begins by pointing to the genealogy of Jesus, who is called the Christ. I’m going to pick up at verse 1.5, “. . . 5Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, 6and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife . . . .Matthan the father of Jacob, 16and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

God can take the ordinary – as miraculous as we think it might be – and do things with it that goes well beyond our imagination – every ordinary moment is ripe with God’s potential to make it much greater than we otherwise would imagine.

Let’s pray.

Amen.

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