Hannah,
Samuel’s mother described in 1 Samuel 1, was no stranger to me before I
prepared to lead a Bible study/discussion for the monthly ladies’ group at
church. Nonetheless, I read the material
and other resources, including Women of
the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture, Ann Spangler
& Jean E. Syswerda. Being a retired
English teacher, I took notes and then prepared a plan.
Our
pastors have taken another call, and various ordained and lay speakers have preached
on Sunday morning. Beginning our lesson,
I reminded the ladies’ group of one minister who strongly encouraged us to read
the Bible, expecting it “to speak to you” (that same counsel from a coworker 40
years ago revolutionized my Christian life).
Two important words used in the scriptures for “word” are logos,
meaning the information written down, and rhema,
describing how the Holy Spirit makes a phrase or story “speak to you” personally,
creating hope and faith.
Having
copies of 1 Sam. 1-20, I suggested reading the passage aloud and then to
ourselves, marking any word or phrase that grabbed our attention or produced responses. So, we read about Elkanah and his two wives,
one producing children and Hannah, barren and distressed as the story
begins. Then Elkanah takes his family to
Shiloh as he did every year to offer a sacrifice to God and then to feast,
celebrating the finished harvesting of the grapes. After a while, Hannah leaves the group and goes
to the temple to pray. There she pours
out her heart to God, asking for a son and promising to offer that child back
to the Lord’s service.
Eli,
the priest, notices her and accuses her of being drunk. She explains her heartfelt petition, and Eli
sends her off with his blessing: “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant
you what you have asked of him.”
Hannah’s countenance immediately changes; she is no longer sad and
forlorn but peaceful and I think, expectant that God has had heard and will answer
her request despite the years of childlessness and disappointment. When they return home, Elkanah “made love to
Hannah, and the Lord remembered her” (1 Sam. 1:19), in other words, God
answered that fervent prayer.
It
was interesting to hear the ladies’ comments, many responses so different from
my own. I pointed out what I quoted
above, that “God remembered her,” a phrase used after Abraham passionately interceded
for any righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah where Lot lived. There, too,
“God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out” (Gen. 19:35).
The next day God brought to mind a verse about the value of fervency in prayer. I believe that deeply prayerful Hannah connected with God that day in the temple, proving the truth in this verse: “The fervent, effectual prayer of a righteous
man availeth much” (James 5:16). As
always, I learn when I teach on something, but it was the Holy Spirit that
brought that verse to me, reminding me of the power and value of persevering, consistent,
and fervent prayer lifted up to the God who hears.
