Hannah, Hannah Mo' Manah

I don’t know about you but I’ve long admired those who have boldly stepped out on faith and begun living out their purpose.  You probably know the very same people.  They’re the ones pregnant with purpose and every time you see them they’ve just delivered another baby, er um, project, ministry, church, traveling the world... (You get the picture)

You may even be the one right by their side helping to get those projects off the ground supporting them in any way possible.  And that is great but then your adversary, which is yourself, taunts you and begins to cry out before the Lord asking, “When, God, when will I deliver? Impregnate me with your will and my purpose that I may deliver also!” 

Anybody ever been a bridesmaid multiple times but never walked down the aisle to meet your own groom at the altar?  Or if you’re a male, stood at the altar waiting for your bride?  I mean, someone else’s wedding is great and you’re genuinely happy for all those friends now brides or grooms, but you still want a ring on your finger that states, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)  Let’s be clear, this is not a coveting issue.  It is a ‘what does God have for me’ issue. It’s a called out, set apart, predestinated for what issue. 

In days long past there was a man named Elkanah.  Elkanah had two wives Peninnah, who had given him sons and daughters, and Hannah whose womb God had shut.  Elkanah loved Hannah and treated her well.  Still she was unhappy because what she wanted most in life she was unable to produce, a son.  Additionally, it didn’t help to have Peninnah around constantly reminding and bugging her about not having children of her own.  1 Samuel chapter one is where you’ll find their story.  If you take a look at verse eight you will see that, of the two wives, Hannah was the favored one.  That didn’t amount to a hill of beans to Hannah.  She wanted a son. 

There’s likely a hundred and one reasons why your project hasn’t yet seen the light of day maybe one day we’ll meet and compare lists.  Back to Hannah, though.  And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.  (1 Samuel 1:11) If you are familiar with the story, the LORD does give Hannah a son and she does honor her vow. 

Lord if you will just let me hit the lottery I promise you I will tithe.  Lord if all the lights miraculously turn green I promise to leave earlier next time so I can get there on time.  Lord if you let me pass this test I promise to study next time.  Lord if this next project gets off the ground I promise I will use it to glorify You and not try again to make a name for myself. I promise to be a good steward of its success.  I promise, I promise.    

How about promising not to take the Lord’s name in vain and truly dedicating your work for God’s glory?  Maybe you have walked down the aisle a few times but jilted the Lord at the altar.  Lord knows I’ve down it.  There’s nothing like fear to call off a wedding.  Talk about runaway brides!  Unbelief is another deal breaker.  Oh, and pride.  Let’s not forget the ungodly pride that sneaks into a job well done.  We’re human right? 

Hannah referred to herself as God’s handmaid.  Which is defined as a female servant.  Servant is the key word here.  It is a subservient partner or element.  Now, are you truly a subservient partner with God? Am I?  Perhaps.

The same word, if you look in Strong’s Hebrew Concordance, is shiphchah; towards God, bondwoman.  Are your actions really towards God or towards yourself?  Do they glorify God or benefit yourself?  Hannah honored her vow.  Her son, Samuel, was wholly given over towards God.  She fulfilled the purpose God had for her through honoring her vow.  In return God increased her portion, her manah. 

You see, every year when Elkanah went to worship and sacrifice to God he gave each wife and each child a portion of meat.  Before bearing children Hannah received a double portion. Hannah honored her vow and God gave her three sons and two daughters– increasing her portion.  In so doing He also relieved her of the relentless taunting from Peninnah and gave her honor.  Got any naysayers? 

In the book “Ancient Israel: Its Life and Instructions” by Roland De Vaux he writes “to have many children was a coveted honor” and “the Israelites wanted mainly sons to perpetuate the family line and fortune and to preserve the ancestral inheritance.”  Barren women were the objects of ridicule.  Today is different; still, we have the command to be fruitful and multiply.

 

 

Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.  Hannah was found to be a good and faithful servant and the Lord honored her.  We must remember that we are servants first, least in the kingdom.  Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt should be our meditation with projects intent to carry on Christ’s work.  The beginning of fruitfulness is a state of brokenness before the Lord.  He can impregnate our brokenness and fill it with purpose, fruitfulness and lots of babies– er um projects, ministries, churches, traveling the world…  (You get the picture.)