HANNAH: MODEL MOTHER
1 Sam. 1&2
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR
1. It was Mother's Day. Deborah had cooked a big meal and everyone had eaten to their hearts content.
2. She went to the sink and was beginning to wash a mountain of dishes, when her teenage daughter, Jenny, came in and said, "Mom, today's Mother's Day, you shouldn't be doing that! Get away from that sink!"
3. Deborah was shocked by Jenny’s kindness. She put down her dishrag and took off her rubber gloves. She was proud. Jenny must finally be growing up and accepting responsibility!
4. Her bubble was burst him when Jenny added, "Just do them tomorrow!"
HUMOR # 2
1. A boy asked the girl next door what he should give his mother for Mothers day.
2. The girl said, "Why don't you promise to keep your room clean? Or go to bed on time? Or answer when she calls you? Or brush your teeth after eating? Or quit fighting with your brother?"
3. The boy frowned and said, "No, I mean something practical!"
B. TEXT
1 There was a certain man…whose name was Elkanah…. 2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. 6 Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”
9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. 10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” 17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.” 20 In the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.” 24 After he was weaned, she … brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. 25 When the bull had been sacrificed, they brought the boy to Eli, 26 and she said to him…. “27 I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there. 2:19 Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord.” Then they would go home. 21 And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord. 3:19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord.
C. THESIS
1. God was needing something to help His people – a Deliverer, a Judge. But something supernatural like that can only come by great prayer & sacrifice.
2. So God allowed a little bit of human tragedy – childlessness – to plant the seeds for revival. It’s hard for us to see how human tragedy can bring something good; but great good frequently proceeds from great tragedy.
3. Being a mother isn’t easy. One lady said, "If being a mother were easy, fathers would be doing it."
4. As we study this model-mother, Hannah, we’ll see 5 things about her that every mother can & should strive for.
I. A WOMAN OF PRAYER
A. WRESTLED WITH HER MOTIVES
1. Have you ever had an antagonist? Someone in school, at work, a neighbor -- that didn't like you? It's hard to imagine an antagonist worst worse than this.
2. The Chinese symbol for WAR portrays 2 women under the same roof!
3. The home is supposed to be a shelter, away from the trouble out in the world, a place of rest & peace.
4. How cruel of Peninnah to “rub it in” to Hannah about her childlessness. Aren’t you glad God sees all and will vindicate us? Could have been a victim, accepted her plight.
5. And what great words does Hannah’s husband speak to comfort her? “Am I not better to you than 10 sons?” How egotistical!
6. Do you think Hannah ever wrestled with her motives? Poor woman! It seemed like she could do nothing right; even when she prayed at the Tabernacle, Eli the priest at first rebuked her, thinking she was drunk! But God heard her prayer and was planning great blessing.
B. POURED OUT HER HEART TO GOD
1. But on this particular occasion (vss 10-11), Hannah poured out her heart to God. Many times people don't get serious with God.
2. This time she prayed fervently. She abandoned all selfish motives – she “died out” to herself. She’s a picture of every human being. In ourselves we have no germ of true eternal life.
3. It was only when, in desperation, she turned to God in surrender and sacrifice, that God produced a life in her where there was only death. That’s how God saves us!
4. “I consider [all things] garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law [of works], but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” Phip. 3:9-10. The second righteousness saves us.
II. A WOMAN OF FAITH
A. NATURAL vs SUPERNATURAL CHILDREN
1. This case is similar to Hagar and Sarah, the two wives of Abraham.
2. Galatians 4:23,29 tells us that Hagar's children were born by the power of the flesh; Sarah's children were born by the power of the Spirit.
3. Just as Sarah’s son Isaac was born because of Sarah's faith and God's promise, so was Samuel born to Hannah, through prayer, faith, and a promise.
4. And the supernatural character of the children was born-out by their remarkable lives.
B. HANNAH RECEIVED INNER WITNESS
1. Hannah had been vexed by this for years, but once she touched heaven and heaven touched her, the depression and anxiety she had battled lifted.
2. She was filled with peace. Faith brought a calm assurance to her. See verse 1:18. Moms, God will hear you just as surely as He heard her, and give you the same confidence.
III. A WOMAN OF SACRIFICE
A. WILLING TO GIVE HER BEST TO GOD
1. The Bible talks about giving God the “Firstfruits” of our money, our time, and our lives.
2. She was saying, "God, if you will bless my efforts, I'll give you the tithes, the first fruits of it." God said, "Them that honor Me shall I honor."
B. PUT SAMUEL’S SUCCESS ABOVE HER OWN
1. This is a trait of mothers, uniquely. How frequently do mother's sacrifice, labor, and toil, so that their kids can have things. The kids never know what you go through.
2. A teacher in one of our public schools put this question to little James and his arithmetic class. "James, suppose your mother made a peach pie, and there were 10 of you at the table -- your mother and father and eight children -- how much of the pie would you get?" "A ninth, ma'am" he answered.
3. "No, no, James. Now pay attention," said the teacher. "There are 10 of you. 10, remember. Don't you know your fractions?"
4. "Yes ma'am," was the swift reply of little James. "I know my fractions, but I also know my mother. She would say that she didn't want any pie."
IV. A WOMAN OF THANKSGIVING
A. A DIFFICULT SITUATION
1. Imagine after all those years of empty arms, getting an only child, and then giving it away! It was customary to nurse the child three years before weaning. She would be very attached to the little toddler, and he would be to her.
2. She would only see him once a year -- at their annual trip. Imagine how difficult it would be to leave that little boy there.
B. THANKFUL FOR HER BLESSINGS
1. She could’ve faulted God, said Samuel’s birth was the result of good luck, or tried to change her vow. But she didn't.
2. No sooner had she given the boy away, than she worshiped and spoke a Psalm of Thanksgiving (2:1-10).
3. She trusted God knew what he was doing, like Moses’ mother putting Moses in a little basket-boat in the Nile.
4. Can you overlook the bad and thank God for the good? Praise often changes our situation. That's when you find out if you pass the test. After she gave up Samuel she had five additional kids!
V. WOMAN OF INDUSTRY & MATERNAL LOVE
A. SHE DID WHAT SHE COULD – ROBE.
B. SHE LOVED HER SON
1. She probably worked all year on his robe.
2. He was never off her mind. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
3. She probably prayed more for him than for all the rest.
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION
1. When Flight L-1011 left Orlando toward Atlanta, everything seemed normal. The flight was primarily carrying professionals who were traveling for business.
2. These seasoned travelers were accustomed to occasional tense moments when malfunctions or excessive turbulence occurred. None of them was prepared for the fear that accompanied this flight.
3. Just minutes after takeoff, the jet began to dip wildly. The pilot climbed higher to correct the problem, but it didn't help. He soon made an announcement that sent the entire main cabin into hysteria.
4. Their hydraulic system had failed and they were returning to Orlando for what would most certainly be a crash landing.
5. Fuel began rushing past the windows as the crew jettisoned all but the necessary fluids. The Captain had the cabin readied for a crash landing, and everyone knew their lives might soon be over.
6. Fear gripped even the most stoic of travelers. Some were hysterical and all were scared. Amid this chaos and fear, a lone calm voice stood out like a marker of hope.
7. A mother was looking into the eyes of her four-year-old daughter and speaking words of assurance in a normal conversational tone.
8. With her daughter's rapt attention, she continually said, “I love you so much. Do you know that I love you more than anything?" The little girl answered, "Yes, Mommy."
9. It was a sobering picture to the travelers who remembered another plane crash where a young girl survived because her mother had strapped her own body over her daughter’s to shield the impact.
10. The mother didn’t survive the crash. Now these passengers couldn't help but wonder if history would repeat itself.
11. Before strapping her body over her daughter, she told the little girl, "And remember, no matter what happens, I love you always. You're a good girl. Sometimes things happen that are not your fault. You’re still a good girl and my love will always be with you."
12. She then readied herself for the crash landing. Fortunately, there was a happy ending. For unknown reasons, the landing gear locked, the hydraulics worked, and the jet landed safely.
13. A planeload of thankful travelers watched one little girl being carried off in the arms of a woman and realized they’d witnessed the incomparable love of a Mother!
B. THE CALL
1. Let’s have all our Mothers stand please. Prayer for Mothers.
2. There are probably some of you who’ve never experienced a miracle. But a miracle is only a prayer away! If you want to experience a miracle in your life, please stand.
3. The greatest miracle is “new birth” – receiving the Life from God.
a. You can have Education & not have Life.
b. You can have Religion & not have Life of God.
c. You can have Money & not have Life.
You need a Life from God, the “God-kind-of-Life.”
4. Let’s abandon our past and ask God to start us on a new road, with a New Heart for God. Prayer.
