The Birth of a Prophet

This week we will be opening our study of Samuel with the account of the birth of the prophet Samuel. Samuel was born into the family of a man named Elkanah who had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah.  Hannah, the wife whom Elkanah loved, was not able to have children.  Peninnah, who was apparently the second wife, was what we would call in the south ‘fertile Myrtle!” Peninnah had multiple sons and daughters by Elkanah, and she didn’t hesitate to use that fact to taunt and provoke Hannah. Now on the one hand we can view this as a historical account of an obscure family, but we know that nothing goes into the word of God without an express purpose.  If we look closer we can see the spiritual messages that abound in the picture of this family.

Hannah’s barrenness is a perfect picture of the spiritual state of the nation of Israel. The Israelites, the people to whom God had manifested Himself, had fallen into a state of utter spiritual barrenness. The priesthood which God had set up with the tabernacle and the rituals -- the means by which the people would have access to him – had deteriorated to mere ritual, and the son’s of Eli were using the tabernacle to serve their own selfish desires.

Penninah’s fertility is a picture of the pride and arrogance of man: Confident in his own abilities, prideful in his accomplishments, and seeing no need for dependency upon God. This attitude of arrogance is noted in Hannah’s song:

Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord to a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength. 

-- 1 Samuel 2:3-4 RSV

That was the problem with Israel. The priesthood was failing, not because there was anything wrong with the priesthood (which was a picture of the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ), but because the people refused to bow before the Lord. They refused to come for cleansing and to turn from idolatrous worship. As a result, the priesthood had ceased to be an effective means of mediation between the people and God.

And so once again, God moves in the midst of a great need in the lives of His people.  A need that they may not have even been aware of, but a great need nonetheless.

So as we open our study we will be examining this eternal conflict between the proud heart, which finds confidence in itself and its ability to do things, and the humble spirit which looks to God in utter dependence, receiving all the fullness of divine blessing.

Join us Sunday, as we open our study of 1 Samuel.

… till the whole world hears,

Pastor Clay