Hannah—devout
Jewish woman—an example on Mother’s Day.
1 Samuel
1:1-6, 10-17, 20-28, 2:1-2, 11-12, 18-21
Story of
rivalry over one having children and one not.
Similar to Jacob’s wives, Leah and Rachel.
Verse in
Proverbs 31 “But a woman who fears the
Lord is to be praised.” (31:30b, NIV)
Hannah
was that—a woman who feared the Lord and believed in the Lord mightily.
What is
an example from Hannah’s life for mother’s today:
1) She wanted a child badly—in context of rivalry, but she
seriously wanted to be a mom and have a son.
Get the impression if God answered that prayer, she would be a doting
mom, a mom serious about the task of raising her son. Is best when mom’s take the task of being a
mom seriously—make it a priority—important thing over many other things in
life.
2) She knew the child was God’s gift
and belonged to God—to
have a child is truly a gift of God—not everyone does/has. So this is a blessing to be a parent.
3) Another aspect—child really
belongs to God—Hannah dedicated her child to service of the Lord. Nazarite vow—no razor to come on his
head—serve the Lord. Generally was made
by person himself—only for a time in life—she made this for her son—for all his
life.
a. How could a mom who desperately
wanted a son do this? She knew the child
really was not hers but God’s.
b. So she was willing to give Him to
the service of the Lord. God knew best
over the mom (or dad). Our children are
really not ours—they are God’s. He can
take care of them best.
c. Known of parents able/willing to
see their children go overseas as missionaries—how can a parent do
that—especially with grandchildren—believe they really belong to God, not
us—and that He knows best.
4) Hannah’s continuing dedication to
the child—continued
to provide him with clothing and needs when she came yearly to the place where
he served—with Eli.
a. Robes—clothing—sacrifice of her
time to make these—may have torn at her heart to bring these to him once a
year. But dedicated to him and to the
Lord he served as well.
b. Easy sometimes in busy-ness of
life to forget the child and his/her needs—but Hannah’s dedication to her son
showed.
5) Hannah made the Lord a priority
over even her son—“a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
a. Whenever we read this Scripture,
we are reminded of Hannah’s dedication to the Lord—praise her commitment
b. She was dedicated to her son—but
even more dedicated to the Lord-
c. Hannah supported the Lord’s work
by supporting her son—robe, prayer for him.
What
happened to Hannah’s son? Eli’s sons
corrupt—rejected as priests and prophets.
Samuel became next powerful priest of God.
Samuel
lived for Lord faithfully. Samuel
anointed Israel’s first king, Saul—and most powerful king, David. Passed his blessing along to the nation and
to the leaders of Israel.
What a
blessing for Hannah. Yes, the Lord gave
her more children, but the nation was blessed through her prayer.
When we
pray for child—we never know who that child will be. May be a mighty person of God—locally,
regionally, worldwide.
When we
take care of our children with food, clothing, love—never know what plans God
has for them.
We should
pray and surrender our children—again and again—to God’s service in any way He
sees fit—they really are not ours—they are gifts from God—and may be our gift
back to God as well—our way of blessing Him and His work.
No
guarantees in life—“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is
old, he will not depart from it.” (Prov.
22:6) General wise saying about doing
our parenting task seriously—but not a promise of guarantee.
But how
was Hannah blessed in being a parent.
And how
are we blessed in being parents.
·
Pray
for our children
·
Take
seriously our task to raise them
·
Provide
for their needs—physically, emotionally, spiritually
·
Continue
to love/support them even as adults
·
Seek
the Lord even over the child herself/himself
·
In
prayer, give them to the Lord again and again—His not ours
Thanks
Moms—“Fear the Lord, and you will be praised.”
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