Theological Commentary: Click Here
There are
things about this chapter that utterly perplex me. First of all, why would a woman allow her
identity to be so torn up simply because she could not bear a child. I realize, of course, that the reason I
struggle with this is because I live in a different culture with different
expectations. However, I can’t be too
far off the truth, either. After all,
isn’t that what Elkanah says to Hannah? Doesn’t
he say that he has worth to her more than ten sons? To put it in modern perspective, does a woman’s
worth come only from their ability to bear children? Of course not!
Another
thing that perplexes me is why one wife would torment another for being
barren. I get it, I just don’t
understand it. I know some people are
cruel and enjoy feeling the lift they receive by putting other people
down. But I don’t understand why. Why are some people so shallow that they
would rather lower other people’s status than elevate their own by elevating
the status of the people around them?
A third
thing that perplexes me is why a woman would so freely give away a child that
she prayed for and agonized over. Again,
I get it. She gives the boy as a gift to
the Lord. She’s doing something that God
can use, certainly. It’s not a wrong
choice; it is just a choice that perplexes me.
It does make me wonder if she cares more about the status of being able
to produce a child more than she cares about the son. But, in saying that, I am judging her
motivations, and those aren’t mine to judge.
I’ll never know that answer, and it isn’t even my place to know that
answer.
All of that
said, those things that perplex me do not overcome what God is doing. God will take this gift of a child and turn
him into an incredible leader among His people. That point overtakes all that I
may have said before. Regardless of our
choices and our movements, God will work His hand.
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