Her Problem – A God Ordained One
Do we know that sometimes our problems are ordained by God? Hannah’s was! The Lord closed her womb (1:6). More than her inability to bear a child was the provoking pointed at her from her rival Peninah, who had children. The irritation caused by her overweighed the love shown by her husband, Elkanah. None could comfort her, not even her husband. He showed his love by giving double and special portion of the sacrificial meat. But nothing would satisfy this woman who was repeatedly bullied and yelled at by Peninah which usually ended with Hannah sobbing and foregoing food. This was a constant problem which continued for years (v. 6-7). Her soul was bitter with sorrow. Her final resort was God. In Hannah’s case, her problem was ordained by God. He knew who could handle a problem better – Hannah or Peninah? He knew that only a pained Hannah can make a meaningful prayer to God. God allows his children whom he loves to suffer. Only the future would reveal us the cause of the present suffering.
Her Prayer & Promise – A Different One
Her prayer loaded with much crying was a different one that birthed a vow (a promise to God). It was not a loud and laudable prayer with flowery language. It was a silent prayer that came out of anguish. Eli did not like the way she prayed and he even went to the extent of scolding her whether she was drunk and asked her not to drink. Her prayer was not a selfish one. It was for the welfare of a nation that was morally decaying. She pledged to place her child at the altar which was then getting defiled everyday by the sons of the priest’s family of her time.
What I love so much is that Hannah was not a critic of her context, rather she pledged her son for a life-time ministry, wanting him to be a solution to the context. Her prayer was specific as to what kind of ministry her son of promise would be in. It would be a specialized ministry of the Nazirite kind where there would be a life-time of restrictions. His hair would not be cut-off and his son of promise would lead an ascetic life. No wonder, her son, Samuel became a revivalist in the declining nation of Israel. He was a judge and prophet whom God powerfully used. People abandoned their idol-worship and clung to the Yahweh God. Are our prayers and promises so different enough to make a difference in our nation? What should we do to make that happen?
Her Praise – A Noteworthy One
Hannah was never sad after this significant prayer (v.18). Her life of praise is seen in the way she fulfilled her vow. Samuel would have been 12 year old, Bible scholars say at the time of being left at the temple by his parents as a Nazirite. Hannah’s prayer of praise is a noteworthy one in all of Scriptures for its liberation insights. Mary, mother of Jesus centuries later sings a similar song. They both were raised up from neglected statuses. They knew their God as their Saviour. So they received favour from Him. These songs of liberation are so meaningful even today in oppressive contexts. God’s favour is upon the Dalits, Adivasis, women or anyone who have been taunted, but have found their refuge in God. Such transformed individuals are the ones who transform the nation with the power of the living God. They beget a Samuel like how Hannah did. They beget a Saviour like how Mary did.
For Hannah, the bridge between her problem and her praise was a simple prayer with a promise. Like in Hannah’s case, the LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34: 18). There is power in the prayer of an oppressed believer. But we need to pray with a difference to make a difference in the lives of many. The plight of a nation like India is in the hands of women who can pray like Hannah. Our children are the solution to the problems our nation is facing. Therefore let us raise a Godly generation through our problems, prayers, promises and praises.
Her prayer loaded with much crying was a different one that birthed a vow (a promise to God). It was not a loud and laudable prayer with flowery language. It was a silent prayer that came out of anguish. Eli did not like the way she prayed and he even went to the extent of scolding her whether she was drunk and asked her not to drink. Her prayer was not a selfish one. It was for the welfare of a nation that was morally decaying. She pledged to place her child at the altar which was then getting defiled everyday by the sons of the priest’s family of her time.
What I love so much is that Hannah was not a critic of her context, rather she pledged her son for a life-time ministry, wanting him to be a solution to the context. Her prayer was specific as to what kind of ministry her son of promise would be in. It would be a specialized ministry of the Nazirite kind where there would be a life-time of restrictions. His hair would not be cut-off and his son of promise would lead an ascetic life. No wonder, her son, Samuel became a revivalist in the declining nation of Israel. He was a judge and prophet whom God powerfully used. People abandoned their idol-worship and clung to the Yahweh God. Are our prayers and promises so different enough to make a difference in our nation? What should we do to make that happen?
Her Praise – A Noteworthy One
Hannah was never sad after this significant prayer (v.18). Her life of praise is seen in the way she fulfilled her vow. Samuel would have been 12 year old, Bible scholars say at the time of being left at the temple by his parents as a Nazirite. Hannah’s prayer of praise is a noteworthy one in all of Scriptures for its liberation insights. Mary, mother of Jesus centuries later sings a similar song. They both were raised up from neglected statuses. They knew their God as their Saviour. So they received favour from Him. These songs of liberation are so meaningful even today in oppressive contexts. God’s favour is upon the Dalits, Adivasis, women or anyone who have been taunted, but have found their refuge in God. Such transformed individuals are the ones who transform the nation with the power of the living God. They beget a Samuel like how Hannah did. They beget a Saviour like how Mary did.
For Hannah, the bridge between her problem and her praise was a simple prayer with a promise. Like in Hannah’s case, the LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34: 18). There is power in the prayer of an oppressed believer. But we need to pray with a difference to make a difference in the lives of many. The plight of a nation like India is in the hands of women who can pray like Hannah. Our children are the solution to the problems our nation is facing. Therefore let us raise a Godly generation through our problems, prayers, promises and praises.
-– Reflections from the Life of Hannah from 1 Samuel 1 &2
