Hope From the Word

Bill Luebkemann: Coming up on Hope From the Word, some reasons why the Lord may be allowing difficulty into your life.

Guest (Male): If you're ever distraught about something, really bummed out about something, it's really bothering you and really consuming you, maybe you need to consider the fact that maybe the Lord is just allowing you the opportunity to seek him more earnestly. If what you're going through is going to make you pray more, maybe you weren't praying enough in the first place. In any event, there's no better thing to do if you have hurt feelings and a sense of helplessness than to bring it to the Lord in prayer.

Guest (Male): Thank you for being with us today for Hope From the Word. Pastor Bill Luebkemann will join us in a moment and continue his new study of 1 Samuel. There are many wonderful people to learn about in God's word, great men of faith and action that God used, like King David and the Apostle Paul, men who gave their lives for the gospel, like Stephen. Today, we'll again look at a woman of God named Hannah.

She had some serious trials in her life, not the least of which was her inability to have a child. But her faith in God never wavered. Here is Pastor Bill in 1 Samuel 1 with the story of Hannah and the birth of Samuel.

Bill Luebkemann: 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. When you made a sin offering, the entire animal got consumed; it was burned, there was nothing left. But when you made a peace offering, the one making the offering shared in the meal with the priest. When a peace offering was made, it was having fellowship with God. Part of the animal was consumed, part of it was given to the priest, and part of it was retained by the people who brought the offering, who could then have a meal together. That counted as being fellowship with God.

It was likely that was what was going on here when Elkanah was sharing the meat with the priest and with his family. He would be sure to give portions to his wife, to Peninnah, and to all her sons and daughters. He shared the meat with everyone, but his favorite wife, Hannah, she got a double portion because of how much he loved her and because of the fact that she was barren. He had a heart, and he wanted to show his affection to her in some greater way, perhaps. Maybe he was trying to make up for this lack of a child in her life.

In fact, it clearly says that that's the case. It says, "But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb." If he gave it to her because he loved her, doesn't that seem to imply that he loved her more than the other one? He gave his two wives portions. He gave this one a better, bigger portion than that one because he loved her. What does that mean? He didn't love the other one or he didn't love her as much? It makes you think of Rachel and Leah, where Jacob had a favorite wife, but it was Leah that was having all the kids, the one who was not his favorite wife.

Perhaps it would be one thing if he was just trying to cheer her up because she had no children. But it seems to me that Hannah was his favorite wife, and maybe that's another reason why God doesn't endorse polygamy. There's always going to be a favorite, no matter what happens; that's unavoidable. And the rivalry is unavoidable. I'm not saying that's the only reason why God doesn't endorse polygamy. He set it up that way, but perhaps you can see one of the reasons why it is a bad idea.

Because the Lord had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. So we see there is a rivalry going on. Peninnah was provoking Hannah. "I've got kids and you have no kids. I'm blessed by God, you're not. I'm better than you are. He doesn't love you as much." Was Peninnah also aware that Hannah was more loved by the husband? I think so. Was the barrenness just an excuse to get back at Hannah? "You might be the favorite wife, but I've got all the kids." This went on over and over and over again.

Isn't it interesting that problems in the home life have translated into a terrible time worshipping the Lord, just a miserable time. They have problems in the home life, and they bring them to church with them. I know none of you ever did that. I don't suppose you've ever come to church to worship God and found yourself affected by something that went on at home. None of us have two wives, none of us have two husbands. If you do, maybe you should see me after church.

This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her until she wept and would not eat. It seems like it only happened at the house of God. It doesn't make any mention that a problem went on at home. Isn't that interesting? Why only yearly? Why only at the house of God? Was it just because of that extra portion of meat that Hannah got? Why was this other woman so unspiritual, only doing her tormenting when they went to church?

It was so bad and it would happen so much that Hannah would weep and wind up not eating. It was just a miserable existence, going to church and trying to worship the Lord and getting beat up like that. You have to give Elkanah credit for at least trying to make things right, but it's not very helpful when he says some of these dumb things. "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don't you eat? Why are you downcast?" If you don't know after all these years, you're really in bad shape.

Maybe it's because you married someone else and they keep rubbing it in. Maybe it's because of divided affections. "If you love me so much, why did you have to have another wife? Why do you have to let her keep tormenting me like this?" Talk is cheap, but are you going to do something about it? You say you love me, why don't you fix the problem? And how about this line: "Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?" What a dumb thing to say to a woman who has no children. Obviously not a thinking man, this Elkanah.

A husband and a son are two totally separate things; they're not mutually exclusive. The fact that her husband loved her did not make up for the pain that she felt of not having any children. Even more so in these ancient times, when barrenness was more of a tragedy than it is today. It was viewed upon back then as being a God thing; God kept the womb locked up. I'm not saying that being childless is a fun place to be in, but today there are a lot of options to try if you're having trouble conceiving.

There are lots of different things you can do, all kinds of medical options, non-medical options, and good adoption options nowadays. They're not looked down upon. People that I know who have adopted children tell me once you adopt a kid, there is just no difference between your own flesh and blood and that kid you adopted. So why does this person who's such a bad egg, this Peninnah, why does she get to have all the children? Or is she really such a bad egg after all? Maybe she's just been pushed too far with this multiple wife thing herself. Maybe she's had enough and she can't take it anymore. Maybe she has the kids, but she knows her husband doesn't love her as much as he loves Hannah, so she snaps.

The bottom line is God's ways are not our ways, and his thoughts are not our thoughts. He doesn't do things the way we do, but he always has a plan and purpose for everything. Hannah might have had an empty womb, but she was the one who was seeking after the Lord, more so every year it would seem. The more she was persecuted, the more she sought after God and the more driven she was to offer things up to him. If she had never faced this adversity, maybe she wouldn't have sought the Lord quite as much.

She's been refined by the fire, and the Lord is going to honor her commitment. Her husband loves her and she knows it, and she just can't seem to overcome this adversity. Once, when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord's temple. In bitterness of soul, Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord. 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."

There came this one particular day, after all these years, year in and year out. Years had gone by; the other woman had lots of children, she didn't have any. There comes this one particular day when she's just beside herself in grief, more so than ever. She was especially distraught; she earnestly sought the Lord in prayer. If you're ever distraught about something, really bummed out about something, maybe you need to consider the fact that maybe the Lord is just allowing you the opportunity to seek him more earnestly.

If what you're going through is going to make you pray more, maybe you weren't praying enough in the first place. In any event, there's no better thing to do if you have hurt feelings and a sense of helplessness than to bring it to the Lord in prayer. That's what she does. She had a few more problems than most of us, beginning with the simple fact that her husband was married twice, a bigger problem than most of us have.

Don't you think that your home should be a safe haven? When you get home at night, don't you like to take your shoes off, put your feet up, in your own castle? Nobody can criticize you. There's some kind of a safety zone there. You're in your home, you can just hang out and relax and just be yourself and have peace and quiet. This woman didn't even have that. She was burdened from without and within, and in spite of everything, she doesn't show any sign of being mad or angry or upset with God.

You don't see her getting mad at him at all. Instead, she makes a vow and a promise to God. She says, "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." She makes a vow that her son would be, in effect, a Nazirite. It was possible in the Old Testament to make a vow of a Nazirite. During the time that that vow was in force, you would drink no wine or fermented beverage and you wouldn't cut your hair.

But there are only two places in all of the Bible where people were Nazirites for their entire life. Samuel is one of them, and Samson. In Samson's story, an angel appeared to his mother and told her ahead of time, "Your son's going to be a Nazirite, and don't let any razor touch his hair." That was the secret of his strength. When he gave up that secret and they cut off his hair, Samson lost his strength. Here's the only other guy that was a Nazirite for his entire life, and it was a decision made by his mom.

It's been said that prayer and tears are the saint's best weapon. Isn't it interesting that so often we don't use the best weapon until we've tried all the other weapons and none of them worked. She makes this vow that, "Lord, if you'll give me a son, I'm going to dedicate him. I'm going to give him to you for all the days of his life. He's going to be devoted to you." The whole idea was that he would be devoted to God, set aside for him. What also went with it was not drinking any fermented drink and having a life that was set apart and totally devoted, completely given over to God.

As she kept on praying, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine." Here is proof positive that you don't need to pray out loud in order for God to hear you. The degree to which your prayers are heard and answered is not related to the volume with which you are praying.

If some of those guys on TV think if you say "Hallelujah" extra loud or if you say the name of Jesus just a certain way that the prayer is going to be answered, here is one of the most powerful prayers in the scripture, that the womb of a barren woman would be opened and that her son was going to be set apart to God for a life, and it got answered. It was done with no volume at all. She was praying in her heart, moving her lips. She was moved to tears, grief, and sorrow. It doesn't make any difference who's within hearing or who you try to impress when you're praying. All that matters is whether you impress God or not, and he's concerned about sincerity, nothing else.

So you see, you can also get another interesting idea here, which is simply this: I wonder how many people Eli was used to seeing drunk at the tabernacle? Was this something that happened a lot? I think it was. Why did he jump to the conclusion that she was drunk? With the behavior of his sinful sons, I think maybe he saw more drunkenness than you might imagine. Maybe he was often chasing the drunks away. This guy was the high priest. Didn't he ever see somebody who was anguished in their heart?

I've seen that. You probably also seen that. He never saw that? He didn't see anybody that was moved in grief so far that they were almost falling apart? Hadn't anyone ever prayed in their hearts before? What's so unusual about somebody praying and moving their lips that he couldn't recognize that? Was it unusual for someone to earnestly pray to the Lord with all sincerity at the tabernacle? Isn't that what you were supposed to do there when you made your offering? It doesn't seem like Eli was much good at being the high priest. He was putting up with this sinful behavior and not doing much good.

Hannah has to argue with him. "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. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman. I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." 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.

She has to argue with the guy and protest, "I'm not drunk, I'm just praying in all sincerity." Isn't it a shame he's the high priest and she has to tell him she's praying? He can't recognize someone in church praying. To his credit, though, he understands and he believes her, and he asks that God would—maybe it's a prayer, maybe it's a prophecy. Maybe it's prophetic. He sends her off in peace and prays or prophesies God's blessing on her. She went her way and ate something, and then her face was no longer downcast. I think maybe it was a prophecy because she received it and it had an effect on her. Her face was no longer downcast, and I think maybe at this point, she knew that God is going to do something. He's really going to work here.

Early the next morning, they arose and worshipped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 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." Samuel sounds like the Hebrew word for "heard of God." They arose the next morning and they worshipped the Lord. Still in spite of all this adversity, her grief and her anguish, and still based in faith on this prophecy that Eli had said to her, she worshipped the Lord.

She wasn't holding the kid in her hand yet; she wasn't pregnant yet. But in spite of that, they arose and worshipped the Lord. And then they went home, and the Lord honored the prayer. He remembered her. That doesn't mean he forgot her. It means the time came for her to do what he promised, what he had in his heart to do. And 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." She knew that this son was a gift from God, and she was going to carry out what her promise was to the Lord.

When the man Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the Lord and to fulfill his vow, Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, "After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always." "Do what seems best to you," Elkanah her husband told her. "Stay here until you have weaned him. Only may the Lord make good his word." So the woman stayed at home and nursed her son until she had weaned him.

So here is what happens: a year goes by, she has the son, it's time to go back up to make sacrifices to the Lord, and Hannah says, "I'm nursing this baby here. I can't really take him up there yet; he's not weaned yet." It might have taken her two or three years to do that. And by the way, I'm not certain she was in a hurry. She did bring the boy up and turn him over to the Lord at the proper time, but perhaps she waited a little while. Maybe she hung on to him as long as she could, and that was okay with her husband.

He could have stopped it. The husband could cancel out the vow of the wife. But he didn't. He trusted her and he wanted God to work, and he said, "May the Lord make good his word." He knew that the Lord was in this also. So it was with his total support and agreement and encouragement. He was on track with this whole thing. She stayed home and she nursed her son until she had weaned him, at whatever age that might have been.

After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. When they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli, and she said to him, "As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here before you beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord." And he worshipped the Lord there.

This must have been hard for her to do. She promised she was going to do this, and when the boy was weaned, she brought him along. He was a young lad, but she brought him with an adult offering: a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought the whole caboodle down to the tabernacle at Shiloh. She didn't bring just half of an offering. She didn't cheap out here. She brought the entire offering that was required.

They slaughtered the bull and then she turned the boy over to Eli and said, "He's going to live here because I prayed for this child, and the Lord gave me what I asked of him, and I promised the Lord that I was going to give the child back to him." That's what she did. He's going to be given over to the Lord, and as we go through 1 Samuel, you'll see that he grows up there at the tabernacle. He grows up living there, and he is just immersed in the word of God. He hears from God at an early age, and the Lord is able to work in his life in a big way.

And then she prays this incredible prayer at the beginning of chapter two. Then Hannah prayed and said, "My heart rejoices in the Lord. In the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no one beside you. There is no rock like our God." Her heart rejoices in the Lord.