What legacy are you leaving?
In 1 Samuel 1 we meet a man named Elkanah who had two wives whose names were Peninnah and Hannah. Peninnah had children but Hannah had none. Because Peninnah had children and Hannah none, she would provoke Hannah often. The Word of God tells us that Hannah had to deal with the irritation over this constant provoking. She wept, prayed, and sought the Lord over the situation.
“but the LORD had shut up her womb. And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret.” 1 Sam 1:5-6
In her bitterness of soul Hannah made two promises to the Lord if He would allow her to have a son. The first was that her son would be a Nazirite all the days of his life. This meant that his hair would not be cut, he would not drink alcohol, and he would be consecrated to the Lord. The second was that her son would be given to the Lord for his entire life. This meant that as soon as he was weaned, he would be
brought to the temple where he would serve the Lord with the priest Eli. Hannah kept her vow to the Lord by bringing Samuel to the temple in order that he would serve the Lord all the days of his life as a Nazirite. She loved him dearly but vowed to give him back to the Lord whom she sought in prayer for his birth.
“I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever… For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: 28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.” 1 Samuel 1:22 & 27-28
What can we learn from Hannah? Hannah left a legacy for her son Samuel that included: faith in God, respect for God, and an obedient heart. He also learned about worship, prayer, and seeking God in times of need. Perhaps it is time to ask ourselves what legacy are you leaving for your family?
Listing of past Food for Thoughts
