BOOK STUDY: Twelve Extraordinary Women / Hannah, A Portrait of Feminine Grace

Twelve Extraordinary Women  by John MacArthur

Chapter 5:  Hannah, A Portrait of Feminine Grace

1Samuel 2:1 

Then Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD; My horn is exalted in the LORD, My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Thy salvation."

Hannah's name means "grace".  A study of her life reveals the classic profile of a godly mother.  Grace, godly mother...how do we put the two together?

Hannah's  life closely parallels that of Sarah especially re: her faith and perseverance.  She foreshadows Mary the mother of Jesus.  1Sam. 2:1-10 is very similar to The Magnificat in Luke 1: 46-55.   Surrender to God's will cost each of them dearly in terms of emotional suffering.  In Hannah's case, the separation from Samuel while he was a toddler.   Those of us who have sent children off to school for the first time can understand a bit of this, although Samuel never came back  home to live with his mother once he left.   

The Old Testament women we have discussed so far--Eve, Sarah, Rahab and Ruth-- all had the hope of God's promise of a Messiah to sustain them.  None of them lost hope even though they never saw Him in their lifetimes.  How we must learn to be like them in never losing hope that the Lord keeps ALL of His promises to us and never waiver in our confidence in Him.  

Hannah longed to be a mother and scripture is not vague about her grief at not being able to conceive. (1Sam. 1:5-10).  I have friends now for whom I pray (one young one in particular) who ache to have a child.   This is one gift that we older women can give the younger, is to pray for their heart's desires.   John M. reminds us that motherhood is a noble calling and one that God has uniquely gifted women to fulfill.  Honor and eminence in the Bible is nearly always closely associated with home and family.   The answer to Hannah's prayer request was the birth of a son who was the beginning of a series of events that helped turn back the spiritual darkness and backsliding in Israel at that time.  

One thing he mentions that is easily overlooked in the story of Hannah is her love for  her husband Elkanah.  I love what John M. says about this:  Contrary to popular  opinion, the most important characteristic of a godly mother is not her relationship with her children, it is her love for her husband.  This is the key to a thriving family.  Families should not revolve around the children.  How we mess things up when we alter how God has designed things.  I speak from experience on this as  we have made this mistake on occasion as well.  Keep on the lookout for this "easy to fall into sin" as it can create major disunity in the family, immediate and extended.

The remarkable prayer that Hannah prayed for her son included the clause that he would be fit to serve in the tabernacle [i.e. razor shall never come on his head].  She WANTED to give him back to God.  Here, another "not of this world" attitude that most mothers have a difficult time with.  We raise these young arrows and then when it's time to shoot them out of the quiver, we tend to hang on to them.  Again, I'm speaking from experience with this one.  I have gradually been letting go of our older son over the last few years; our younger son will begin his journey in 2 years as well.  God is good because generally we don't empty the quiver all at one time!  :)

Lots of lessons to be learned from this godly woman, Hannah.  She is certainly a good role model for all of us, whether we have children or not.  I encourage you to get the book and read the entire chapter.  It will enlighten your life and renew your mind about what the Lord has in mind for us as women, contrary to what popular culture maintains that women should be. God can do amazing things through the life of just one faithful woman devoted to Him.  Remember this, if you are at home with toddlers and/or teens, typically stressful times in the life of a mom.

NEXT WEEK:  Chapter 6--Mary, Blessed Among Women