Difficult questions!
Scripture reading for March 17th: 1st Samuel 1-3
Have you ever been falsely accused of doing something wicked? How would you feel if that person represented God? The temptation would be strong to get angry them or at God for allowing such a thing to happen! Scripture has some difficult questions for those who seek understanding!
Hannah was barren and sought God for a child . Her husband, Elkanah, had two wives. His other wife had children but Hannah cried out to God for a child. The Scripture specifically states that “the Lord had closed her womb”. (1st Samuel 1:6) We notice that there was rivalry and strife between the wives. If you are questioning the two wives, God allowed certain behavior, but did not say it was right. In the case of marriage, Jesus pointed His followers to Genesis and the pattern of one man and one woman. (Mark 10:5-9)
Why would God close Hannah’s womb when He told them to be fruitful? In several instances, God used difficulties that caused people to seek Him for answers! We can think of Abraham and Sarah or Isaac and Rebbecca as examples. They had to seek God for an answer and God opened their wombs and brought forth a special child!
As Hannah was praying desperately for a child, weeping and crying out to the Lord, Eli assumed she had too much wine and was drunk! He even told her not to come drunk and to give up the wine! (1st Samuel 1:12-16) To her credit, she did not become angry or disrespect him. She patiently explained her dilemma and Eli blessed her. God answered her prayer and she got her child! Not only that, she had three additional sons and two daughters! God is truly good!
It is easy to jump to conclusions when we read a passage of Scripture. All Scripture is inspired by God and must be weighed by other passages and God’s heart and Spirit. We must not make snap judgments or accuse the Lord or question His Word! May the Lord grant us grace today to operate on the facts, not on speculation or false assumptions!
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