The Character Of A Godly Mom

Mother’s day is a special day because mothers are special people! Aman!

When you did your Bible reading last Sunday, you read the account of Hannah in 1st Samuel.

The account begins with Elkanah who was a descendant of the Levitical priesthood. He had two wives – Hannah (favored) and Peninnah (pearl). (She was anything but a pearl – that’s for sure)

Elkanah was a God fearing man as evidenced by his obedience to the Mosaic law whereby he went to the tabernacle of the Lord each year to worship. So, we know that this was a family who valued worshiping the Lord.

Elkanah lived with his family in the village of Ramah which is located at the top of a hill just North of Jerusalem. We know that at least once a year they made the 14 mile journey to Shiloh where the tabernacle of the Lord was now permanently located to offer sacrifices to the Lord.

We know from our reading of the Old Testament that after a family offered their sacrifices to the Lord, they also ate part of the sacrifice there on the grounds of the tabernacle. It was picnic style, it was a time of celebration, a fun family time, kind of like the atmosphere of an old fashioned church pot-luck.

In 1 Samuel 5 we are told that Elkanah gave a special portion of the sacrifice to Hannah because he loved her very much (even though she was barren).

Husbands, learn a lesson here. Elkanah loved his wife by demonstrating his love to her through action, thoughtfulness, kindness and respect. He reached out to show his love to her regardless of her flaws. Men, you would do well to follow Elkanah’s example.

Peninnah (the other wife) was not kind to Hannah. In fact she would make fun of Hannah for being barren. Peninnah must have felt threatened by Hannah, because she persisted year after year in making fun of Hannah’s handicap. This relentless taunting turned into persecution for Hannah and it affected her so deeply, that it would reduce her to tears so she couldn’t even enter into the worship and eat the sacrificial meal with her husband.

1 Sam 1:7 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.

I can’t count the number of times the Devil has provoked me on the way to worship. How many of you have ever argued with your spouse on the way to church? Come on – be honest.

Listen, the Devil doesn’t want you to be tuned up and ready to enter into worship, so he’ll try anything to distract you from it. He’ll gladly give you 100 excuses why you shouldn’t go to church. And if that doesn’t work, he’ll send someone to provoke you, even a family member.

My advice to you – DON’T TAKE THE BATE!

I love the Bible because it is so true to life. How many of you know that God has a sense of humor?

Just like a typical guy, Elkanah says in verse 8, “What’s the matter Honey? Why aren’t you eating? Why be so sad just because you have no children? – now here’s the punch line – You have me – isn’t that better than having ten sons?”

Look guys, when your wife is having a hard day, the last thing you want to say is something like, “Hey Baby, you’ve got me – what else do you need?”

If you’re going to say something like that to your wife let me give you a little advise…………… DUCK!

Hannah was a godly woman. As far as we know, she never fought back against Peninnah, or spoke ill of her even in the face of her mean – spirited taunting.

Within the character of a godly mom you’ll find the ability to endure tremendous pain and agony.

In verse 9 we see that Hannah was a woman of personal devotion to God. After the meal, she went to the tabernacle to pray to the Lord. The Bible says that she was in “deep anguish, crying bitterly” as she prayed.

Listen, when we pray like this God takes notice! When we get down to business with God in prayer, He will take notice!

In the intensity of her prayer she made this vow:

“Lord, if You look down on my sorrow, answer my prayer and give me a son, then, I will give him back to You. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign of his dedication to the Lord his hair will never be cut.”

Notice, Hannah prays specifically for a son. Listen, if you want your prayers to be answered, when you pray, pray specifically – not in generalities. Target your prayers precisely.