Continuing with Hannah; we look into how her faith transformed into action. Hannah bore her soul to God, and before God answered her prayer, she found peace and worshipped in the midst of pain. Hannah ultimately conceived a son and named him Samuel. That name means because I asked for him. Each day Hannah reminded herself that God had answered her prayer and given her the son she pleaded for. An important piece of Hannah’s story happened in her initial prayer. She promised God if her gave her a son, she would give him back to the Lord. This is where Hannah’s faith goes from perception to action. It is easy to make promises then find some reason to change your mind.
Important historical context – During biblical times, the man of the house could overrule a promise made by his wife. If Elkanah told Hannah, he did not agree with giving Samuel back to God’s service, Hannah would have a loophole. In modern times – we love a good loophole. We can find loopholes incredibly convenient for getting out of uncomfortable things without guilt. Think about all the times throughout life when you got out of a commitment you really did not want to do…the huge sigh of relief and peace that followed. Hannah could have tried to go down that path. She could have framed her plans for Samuel as a question and led Elkanah to say no. We already know from the text that he loved Hannah by giving her double portions despite the fact that she was barren. However, there was no manipulation from Hannah; she simply tells her husband what she plans to do and he agrees.
Hannah weans Samuel and then dedicates his life to God just as she had promised in her desperate prayer. Samuel would become the last judge of Israel – ending over 300-years of tradition and anoint the first king of Israel, Saul. He would then obey God (despite angering Saul) and anoint David the King of Israel in turn setting up the divine lineage of Jesus Christ. Without Hannah’s faith and her steadfast dedication to God – the history of Israel could have looked completely different.
Carrying a steadfast dedication to God can be incredibly difficult. As humans, we never truly understand God. Some might think it cruel for God to accept Hannah’s first son as a priest given the pain she endured; the mocking; the shame; the suffering. Yet, God sees all; God saw the importance of Hannah’s faith that was passed along to her son which ultimately culminated in God’s son’s royal line. The world clamors that earthly things matter more than pleasing God. People preach that following God leads to infinite prosperity while failing to mention that infinite prosperity is not promised here; it is offered through eternity with God and Jesus.
Sometimes our steadfastness to God’s will means sacrifice of our earthly comforts but in that sacrifice our horn is lifted up by God being delivered from disgrace to a position of honor and strength. We need to be more like Hannah knowing that our joy is not in the blessing or gift but in the God who answered our prayer.
Dear God,
Great are you Lord. You give light in the darkness and water in the desert. You see all, know all, and lift up all who worship you. Help me transform my faith into action and live for your will. Help me see past the earthly comforts and know whatever I gain here I consider a loss due to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ and his love for me. In his name I pray. Amen.
