My Husband Too!!!!

22. May 2008 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: Let’s continue our Hannah Story. Our text for today is:

I Samuel 1:8 “Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons? 9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk.”

Today’s lesson is really personal to me for this is my story.  We know that Hannah has to deal with both the scrutiny from the community and her rival Peninnah which is in her household.  Her problem is always in her face.  She doesn’t  get any relief from it.  Peninnah has children and I’m sure with every announcement of a pregnancy it was more and more difficult for Hannah to take.    In our text today, her husband Elkanah is trying to console her.  He tells her; “Hannah, why are you so sad and why does your heart hurt and ache and long for a child when it is clear that it may not happen for you.  He goes on to tell her; “Am I not better to you than having ten sons?” 

You can see in the text that it is a son that Hannah wants.  It was every Israelite woman’s dream to have a son for her husband, to be able to provide an heir to pass on the name, continue the lineage, and possibly to be blessed enough to even birth the “messiah.”  This was important to women of the ancient world.  Elkanah loves Hannah so much that he simply is trying to ease the pain by telling her can’t you feel the love that I have for you and isn’t it just enough.    I understand what Elkanah was trying to do but when you want something from God or when you have a dream or a promise from God, nobody can take the place of it.  Nobody can be enough.  Some things only God can satisfy. This longing that Hannah has only God can solve.   When you want something from God, when other people offer alternatives for your longing, you almost feel betrayed as if they have ceased to believe God with you though you know that they are simply trying to ease the pain.  But a desire from God,  (that really comes from God), we know it is from God, because we can’t give up on it. We can’t stop thinking about it.  We may walk away from it for a season, but eventually we’re drawn back to it and we begin to long for it all over again. 

Hannah wants a son.  God has shut up her womb.  God did this.  WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!    Why Hannah and for what purpose.   I tell you that this is my story because for 16 years since marriage I have been trying to have a baby.    I always thought I would have kids; I’ve always pictured my life with them.   A few years ago, my husband was really talking to me about adopting, while I don’t have a problem with that, in my gut, I almost felt like he had not stop believing God with me, but he was simply trying to ease the pain.   

Okay, I’m going to stop here,  I’m starting to feel it.   But the text says after Elkanah has this conversation with Hannah, she gets up and what she does next  is powerful. Tune in tomorrow. 

God Bless. Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

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