Welcome to 1 Samuel! As a quick review, the time of the Judges showed us a depressing outlook for the nation of Israel. Under Joshua, Israel had begun to conquer the land promised to Abraham so many generations prior. But, Israel did not obey God's command as they overtook the inhabitants of the land. This created an open temptation to chase after loves of the flesh, such as beautiful, exotic women from other nations. Israel intermarried with the nations around them, an act of disobedience to God. Instead of trusting in God's use of them to bless all nations, Israel intimately joined themselves to that which God forbade. Judges showed us that man's potential in sin was headed quickly away from their LORD, though the initial sin seemed reasonably beneficial. Isn't it so easy to disobey, especially when the infringements look minimal in the beginning? But the seemingly minimal infringements, not fully conquering the land and marrying women from the other nations, would soon catch up with Israel. The worship of God was now in competition within the homes of Israelites. Foreign gods were now being exalted alongside the God who calls Himself "jealous."
With the decline of true God-centered worship, the family, the religious system, and the leadership of the nation are corrupted and begin their plunge farther away from God's holy standard. We see this in part as 1 Samuel opens. A man of God has taken for himself two wives, Hannah and Peninnah.
If we learned from history, we'd remember that we've seen this before. Firstly, polygamy appears in the Bible with Lamech (Genesis 4:19, 23-24), a man who exalted himself in his sinfulness. Then we watch as Abram listens to Sarai's faithless plea for children through marriage to her maidservant, though it is noted as the LORD who chose to close Sarai's womb at that time. Both of these situations contrast the monogamy of Adam and Eve, as well as the Law given through Moses. God's command and Biblical history both cry out for us to live by faith, but human nature is to live apart from faith in God.
Once again in 1 Samuel, we start with the work of God among a sinful people, His people. They've missed the mark, but His own glory and purposes still include the sinners He has entered into a covenant relationship with. He loves them with patience and steadfastness, allowing their sin to be a part of His fatherly discipline and consequences.
Our good girl, Hannah, is the husband's favorite. She receives a double portion for the yearly sacrifice, though she has born no children for him. Her barrenness is the work of the Lord's hand. Peninnah, our bad girl, is also a sinner. Yet, her character is shown in contrast to that of Hannah. Peninnah jealously provokes and hurts her co-wife, seeking destruction and selfish ambition. While everyone is feasting as part of a yearly celebration in Shiloh, Hannah is so upset and mournful that she will not eat. Peninnah knows how to play her cards to her own benefit.
Hannah and Peninnah keep their home in a yearly roller coaster through jealousy and competition. Can you imagine what the children and the husband felt like with this cat fighting going on each year? Ladies, we would be wise to note that we can strongly influence the climate of our homes. We have the honor of influence as we either set our hearts upon God or upon our own selfish ambition.
So, in response to the Lord's teaching about these women, what is the climate of your home right now? How are you contributing to it as either a single woman or a married woman?
In your relationships with other gals, especially those you may feel twinges of jealousy toward, do you pursue opportunities of self-promotion (destruction for them) or do you rest in dependence on God's hand, who has chosen to make you "barren" in the area of your jealousy? If God is allowing you to see the areas of your jealousy, then begin to search out what about you seems to be "barren." What do you feel you are missing out on, and how does it compare to the Bible's teaching about you? What truth can you cling to this week as you seek to live with character that edifies instead of destroys?
© 2006 by Kendra Hinkle.
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