1 Samuel 1:1-3:21
I can relate to Hannah who cries to the Lord in her distress. Hannah, who feels left out and without her hearts desire. There have been times when the only thing I felt like doing was crying out to God. Here Hannah finds herself with an audience, but she isn't embarrassed instead she says to the priest Eli, I was pouring out my anguish.
Eli changes his response because of her sorrow. He thought she was drunk and blaspheming, but instead she is troubled and just crying out for mercy from God. Eli tells her to go in peace and may the God of Israel grant you your petition. We see that her prayer is answered, and I wonder was it because of her hearts anguish, or her honest response when confronted by the priest or the priest's blessing...or all of that or none of that?
Interesting that Hannah's song expresses both her joy and her understanding that God is responsible for all things - both sought and unlooked for. Now the state of Eli's family is very sorry indeed, and after having read what God said to the Priests, it is a wonder that Eli's sons haven't been burned alive already for how they are treating God and His people.
I have to admire Eli even though he doesn't stop his sons, he doesn't stop Samuel from telling him what God says either. Maybe it speaks to a lack of character on his part, but it seems to me that he really does wish for God's servants to honor the Lord.
Poor Samuel, it says he doesn't know the Lord and "the word of the Lord hadn't been revealed to him." How does he serve at the altar of the Lord in the Lord's Temple and not know the Lord? Samuel, Samuel? Here I am your servant hears. When the Lord calls do we know Him, do we hear? Are we able, like Eli, to say "It is the Lord, let him do what seems good to him"?
Prayers asked and answered, selfish response and godly response-these are examples and choices for us.
See you tomorrow.
-maggie
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