But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb.
1 Samuel 1:5
Dear Church and Friends,
This past Sunday, May 2, 2021, I began a series of messages in 1 Samuel. The contrast between Hannah and Peninnah is so deep. I didn’t feel like I explored it enough during my delivery. So today I want to walk through their relationship in light of Elkannah’s love for Hannah.
Hannah represents for us the Church. She is seated at the fellowship table being served the “worthy portion” by her husband who loves her. The grace of this scene is emphasized by the fact that Hannah is unable to have children. She brings nothing to the relationship to cause her husband to love her. He simply loves her because of his gracious choice.
Peninnah and her children receive portions at the table, but not worthy ones. She comes to the fellowship table with plenty of good works that cling to her skirts and call her mother. She has everything, except her husband’s love.
Hannah, who represents the Church, frets over the fact that she doesn’t have children. For some reason she doesn’t delight in Elkannah’s love. Probably her heart is ringing with all the abuse of Peninnah. No doubt she’s bought into her rival’s propaganda that she’s no good and of no worth to either her husband or to the Lord.
Elkannah’s question to Hannah is significant, “am not I better to thee than ten sons?” Why are we so focused on what we don’t have? Which is better, the Lord of Glory, or all the stuff you can get from Him? His love is better! Why do we condemn ourselves over what we don’t or can’t bring to the table? He doesn’t care, our relationship with the Lord is not based on merit. He loves us because of his gracious choice of us.
Peninnah’s jealousy seems to have it right. She has the children but knows that all the children in the world wouldn’t cause him to love her. She wants a relationship with her husband based on love. Hannah can’t see his love because she is so blinded by her lack of children. Which one is right?
Today, let’s rejoice in his love for us. A love not based on our accomplishments. “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Eph. 2:5).
Music: One Desire by NLC Worship.
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Prayer Requests: Pray for our missionary John Onwuchekwa, in Atlanta.
Craig’s Catechism: The Fourth Part of Our Belief.
- Question 291: Is it bound to any particular time, place, or persons? Answer: No, for then it would not be universal.
- Question 292: What is the Communion of Saints? Answer: The mutual participation in Christ, and His graces among His members.
- Question 293: What follows upon this Communion? Answer: A spiritual uniting and communion among all Christ’s members.
All my best,
And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb.
1 Samuel 1:6
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