THE STORY OF HANNAH
Hebrews 10:19-25 - 1 Samuel 1:4-20
Rev. Rhonda Kouterick - November 15, 2015
In Hebrews, Paul is talking to Christians, who are in danger of abandoning their faith due to increasing
opposition. In this passage he’s explaining some differences between the way things were before Christ – under
old beliefs and the freedom believers now have to approach God because Christ has come. What Jesus has done
has ramifications for peoples’ lives, for believers then and for our lives, too. Listen as Paul enumerates several in
phrases beginning with “Let us” - Read Hebrews 10:19-25 TEV.
In two of the small groups this Fall we’ve been watching a PBS series called “God in America”. Over
several weeks we’ve heard of ways in which religion has shaped our country and played a major role in who we
are as Americans. The 12 Tribes of Israel were also shaped by their religion and how it was lived out. In fact,
when you think about it, their history is part of ours; the God of the Old Testament becomes the God of the New
Testament, when God’s love comes to earth in human form.
In our reading from the OT Book of 1 Samuel this morning we hear about Samuel’s birth, the origins of the
man, who became the last great judge before Israel became a monarchy in about 1,000 BCE. With God as King,
Samuel was Judge for the people and in that role he heard their desire for an earthly king and took it to God.
Because the people were so persistent, God agreed and the monarchy began with the anointing of Saul, then David,
and Solomon. Hear the story of Samuel’s mother, Hannah and father, Elkanah. Read 1 Samuel 1:4-20
“Elkanah had 2 wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children but Hannah did not. v.2
Every year Elkanah went from Ramah to worship and offer sacrifices to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh….” v.3
Read v.4-20 - So how does the story come out? Does Hannah keep her promise? Yes, she does – (from v.24ff)
“After the child was weaned she took young Samuel to Shiloh,
along with a 3 year old bull, a bushel of flour and a leather bag full of wine.”
After the bull was sacrificed they took the child to Eli, the priest and Hannah explains who she is and why she’s
come. Read v.26-28, 2:11, 18-21
“The boy Samuel continued to grow and to gain favor both with the Lord and with men.”
This is a good thing, because Eli’s own sons turned out to be scoundrels and when it came time for a new head
priest it became clear that Samuel was the one, for Samuel had heard the Lord’s call from the time he was young.
Samuel was one of the greatest priest-judges in the Bible; his faithfulness to God made all the difference in the
transition to a monarchy under the living God instead of the pagan idols and in finding and anointing the young
King – David of the line of Jesse; the line from which Mary and Joseph came.
Returning to the passage from Hebrews, we hear of the freedom we have, because of what Jesus did we are
free to approach God; we don’t need animal sacrifice; we can come near to God in prayer. In Jesus Christ,
“We have a great priest in charge of the house of God.”v.21
We can be made right with our maker, because of Jesus we are set free from guilt through God’s gift of grace. Just
as we trust that soap and water washes our bodies clean we have sincere faith that Jesus purifies our guilty
conscience and cleans us up on the inside. We have hope, for we know God keeps his promise. We are beloved of
God and when we ask, our sins are forgiven, our hurts healed. Because we are loved by God, we in turn are
concerned for others, we want others - especially those we love - to discover what we have come to know.
Wanting to share God’s love is an on-going desire of followers of Jesus throughout the ages; although I
must admit we Christians have not always done a good job of it. We can all think of examples - but when we do
get it right - God’s love and grace are contagious and give us a new lease on life and joy-filled hearts.
In our own Methodist history, it wasn’t until God’s love warmed the hearts of John Wesley and his brother
Charles that the movement began to grow. At first they worked so hard trying to be good and do the right things
they kept their nose to the grindstone and weren’t making much of an impact. They knew something was missing
and like Hannah, they prayed, they were seekers. In time God answered their prayers, their hearts were strangely
warmed as the concept of God’s love moved from intellectual understanding to a heart-warming experience and
they knew God’s love for themselves.
In Hebrews, Paul encourages believers to persevere; to be concerned for one another; to provoke each
other in showing love and doing good; to not forget to keep meeting together; to show up in worship; and, so
encourage each other especially in difficult times. We are tasked with the same; we who know where strength, joy
and freedom are found are charged with sharing that good news with others. We are God’s people in this day -
we are the ones charged with making a difference; with building community and fellowship; we are the ones who
are to live lives that attract, who draw others to Christ; we are called to be catalysts, salt and light in the world.
Pray that in this coming season of Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas that God’s love might grow in you, in all
of us, and that we might shine it out to all the world.