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Post by John on Oct 12, 2020 9:05:26 GMT -5
We read about Hannah in the book of 1 Samuel. She is mentioned as being one of two wives of Elkanah, the son of Jeroham. The name of her sister wife was Peninnah. The Bible does not give the names of the children of Peninnah, but we do know that she had many children. In 1 Samuel 1:4, the Bible says that at the time Elkanah offered his offering, he gave to Peninnah his wife, "and to all her sons and her daughters portions." Up until this time, Hannah had no children, and as happens often times in polygamous marriages, there was a rivalry between the two women. Peninnah would "provoke" Hannah "sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb." She appeared to be barren.
The Bible says that each year, Peninnah would provoke Hannah as they went up to the house of the LORD, and it would cause Hannah to weep for sorrow, and she would not eat. Rather than just accept the notion that she would remain barren, she sought the Lord and made a vow to Him. She promised that if God would bless her with a man child, she would give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and he would be a Nazarite from birth, never having a razor come upon his head. Those under a Nazarite vow could not cut their hair, so long as the vow was in effect. The Lord heard the prayer of Hannah, and gave her the desire of her heart. God blessed her with a son. She would name him Samuel, and Samuel would go on to become one of the greatest prophets of God.
Hannah kept her vow to God, and the Bible says that she gave Samuel to the service of God. Samuel would remain in the Temple, and would minister before the LORD, "being a child, girded with the linen ephod." The Bible says that she would see her son Samuel each year, and would bring him a little coat each year when she would visit with her husband at the time of the yearly sacrifice. Because of her faithfulness to keep her vow, and trust the Lord completely, Eli the High Priest blessed Elkanah and Hannah, and said, "The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD." After this, "the LORD visited Hannah, so she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters."
Hannah's sister wife, who became her adversary, had many sons and daughters, but none that we consider when we look at the great men and women in the Bible, but Hannah bore Samuel the Prophet. When I think of the great women of faith, I always think of Hannah. Also, when I think of Hannah, I think of a real life example of what we call, "praying through." Hannah prayed until she knew in her heart that God had heard and answered her prayer. Hannah began her prayer to God sorrowful of spirit, but once she had finished praying, the Bible says, "she went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad."
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Post by John on Oct 12, 2020 9:36:36 GMT -5
I did not see the need to put this in the essay itself, but I do think it is worth looking at. After Hannah's prayer was answered, and she returned with her son, she says the following:
"Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there." 1 Samuel 1:26-28. She spoke this to Eli, when she presented Samuel to him. Then we see a wonderful prayer from Hannah in the following chapter.
AND Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God
Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased; so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
The LORD killeth, and maketh alive; he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
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PG4Him
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Hannah
Oct 12, 2020 10:47:50 GMT -5
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Post by PG4Him on Oct 12, 2020 10:47:50 GMT -5
Nice summary of Hannah’s appearance in the Bible!
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Post by John on Oct 12, 2020 10:56:54 GMT -5
Nice summary of Hannah’s appearance in the Bible! If not for Hannah, and her prayer of faith, and her steadfast belief in God, as well as her faithfulness to fulfil her vow, there would be no Prophet Samuel. What a major player Samuel was in fulfilling God's will! Like Mary, Hannah was a special lady that found favor with God, and the LORD used her.
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Post by frienduff on Oct 12, 2020 12:06:58 GMT -5
I did not see the need to put this in the essay itself, but I do think it is worth looking at. After Hannah's prayer was answered, and she returned with her son, she says the following:
"Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there." 1 Samuel 1:26-28. She spoke this to Eli, when she presented Samuel to him. Then we see a wonderful prayer from Hannah in the following chapter.
AND Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God
Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased; so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
The LORD killeth, and maketh alive; he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
For by mans own strength shall no man prevail . But by the strength of the Lord , shall man prevail . The LORD GOD is in control . He makes the poor RICH , IN JESUS , for JESUS IS OUR TREASURE . Praise be to the glorious KING JESUS . The LORD will keep , guide and order the steps of HIs lambs . Praise the Glorious KING .
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Post by frienduff on Oct 12, 2020 12:09:56 GMT -5
Therefore will i glory in my infirmities , for when i am Weak , THEN AM I STRONG . MY GRACE IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS . By mans strength he shall fail , But by STRENGTH OF THE LORD does man prevail . Therefore will i rejoice in my infirmites , that the POWER of Christ rest upon me . We gotta know that paul had learned quite well , I of myself can do nothing , But IN CHRIST JESUS are all things possible . NOW SING TO THE KING my FRIENDS . SING TO THE KING .
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Hannah
Oct 12, 2020 12:14:21 GMT -5
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Post by frienduff on Oct 12, 2020 12:14:21 GMT -5
Nice summary of Hannah’s appearance in the Bible! If not for Hannah, and her prayer of faith, and her steadfast belief in God, as well as her faithfulness to fulfil her vow, there would be no Prophet Samuel. What a major player Samuel was in fulfilling God's will! Like Mary, Hannah was a special lady that found favor with God, and the LORD used her.
You almost had that one right . but as even paul once said , Yet not i , but the grace of GOD . The sentence should read , IF not for the mercy of GOD which did lead Hannah to pray like that . I SEE GOD at work . I truly and quite deeply beleive , were it not for the grace of GOD , there simply is no hope for man . And that those who have that true love on those hearts which comes FROM GOD , they gonna love truth and be working by the guidance of the SPIRIT . But do beware . For it is sin that can harden that heart . Thus always correction is needed . Exhort one another daily , LEST ANY DOES become Hardened by the decietfulness of sin . And thereby MANY be defiled . ITS SIN . And its why the early church did so warn against it , to not even ONCE let it be named . That is what will harden the heart .
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Hannah
Oct 12, 2020 12:26:08 GMT -5
Post by John on Oct 12, 2020 12:26:08 GMT -5
If not for Hannah, and her prayer of faith, and her steadfast belief in God, as well as her faithfulness to fulfil her vow, there would be no Prophet Samuel. What a major player Samuel was in fulfilling God's will! Like Mary, Hannah was a special lady that found favor with God, and the LORD used her.
You almost had that one right . but as even paul once said , Yet not i , but the grace of GOD . The sentence should read , IF not for the mercy of GOD which did lead Hannah to pray like that . I SEE GOD at work . I truly and quite deeply beleive , were it not for the grace of GOD , there simply is no hope for man . And that those who have that true love on those hearts which comes FROM GOD , they gonna love truth and be working by the guidance of the SPIRIT . But do beware . For it is sin that can harden that heart . Thus always correction is needed . Exhort one another daily , LEST ANY DOES become Hardened by the decietfulness of sin . And thereby MANY be defiled . ITS SIN . And its why the early church did so warn against it , to not even ONCE let it be named . That is what will harden the heart . That is interesting frienduff , and I do not disagree with you. God always knew that Hannah would pray for a child, and God also knew that He would use Hannah to be Mother to Samuel the Prophet. As such, God did "lead Hannah to pray like that." That is exactly right. That is where free will and pre-destination cross paths. Hannah did desire a son, and she was not forced to pray that prayer the way she did, but it was all in God's plan from the start. Good reminders.
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Hannah
Oct 12, 2020 12:28:41 GMT -5
John likes this
Post by frienduff on Oct 12, 2020 12:28:41 GMT -5
You almost had that one right . but as even paul once said , Yet not i , but the grace of GOD . The sentence should read , IF not for the mercy of GOD which did lead Hannah to pray like that . I SEE GOD at work . I truly and quite deeply beleive , were it not for the grace of GOD , there simply is no hope for man . And that those who have that true love on those hearts which comes FROM GOD , they gonna love truth and be working by the guidance of the SPIRIT . But do beware . For it is sin that can harden that heart . Thus always correction is needed . Exhort one another daily , LEST ANY DOES become Hardened by the decietfulness of sin . And thereby MANY be defiled . ITS SIN . And its why the early church did so warn against it , to not even ONCE let it be named . That is what will harden the heart . That is interesting frienduff , and I do not disagree with you. God always knew that Hannah would pray for a child, and God also knew that He would use Hannah to be Mother to Samuel the Prophet. As such, God did "lead Hannah to pray like that." That is exactly right. That is where free will and pre-destination cross paths. Hannah did desire a son, and she was not forced to pray that prayer the way she did, but it was all in God's plan from the start. Good reminders.
Forward march into the trenches . The war for the souls of men is coming to a climatic end battle . Sound the trumpets .
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Post by watchful on Oct 12, 2020 16:18:23 GMT -5
I love how the accounts of barren women in the bible also offer hope for those who are late bloomers and living with the reproach of spiritual barrenness. It goes along in some ways with what Jesus said concerning those who were hired to work in the vineyard the last hour of the day and receive the same wages...the first shall be last and the last shall be first....the Lord in His mercy and kindness is a great equalizer, bringing the mountains low and raising up the valleys.
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Post by frienduff on Oct 12, 2020 18:08:48 GMT -5
I love how the accounts of barren women in the bible also offer hope for those who are late bloomers and living with the reproach of spiritual barrenness. It goes along in some ways with what Jesus said concerning those who were hired to work in the vineyard the last hour of the day and receive the same wages...the first shall be last and the last shall be first....the Lord in His mercy and kindness is a great equalizer, bringing the mountains low and raising up the valleys. This is what the LORD does . HE will bring the haughty low but the humble he giveth grace unto .
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Post by watchful on Oct 13, 2020 5:43:37 GMT -5
I love how the accounts of barren women in the bible also offer hope for those who are late bloomers and living with the reproach of spiritual barrenness. It goes along in some ways with what Jesus said concerning those who were hired to work in the vineyard the last hour of the day and receive the same wages...the first shall be last and the last shall be first....the Lord in His mercy and kindness is a great equalizer, bringing the mountains low and raising up the valleys. This is what the LORD does . HE will bring the haughty low but the humble he giveth grace unto . Amen, that too, though I was thinking more about what I call an 'equalizing' principle we see in scripture. For example, he who has sinned much loves much, and how the parts that lack it are given more honour, and where it says more are the children of the barren woman, etc. (The point is not so much about equalizing perhaps, but more about what it says about God, His mercy and kindness, and how He doesn't judge the same way that man does.)
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