Hannah's Characterization of God

Then Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies; I rejoice because you rescued me. No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. “Stop acting so proud and haughty! Don’t speak with such arrogance! For the Lord is a God who knows what you have done; he will judge your actions. The bow of the mighty is now broken, and those who stumbled are now strong. Those who were well fed are now starving, and those who were starving are now full. The childless woman now has seven children, and the woman with many children wastes away. The Lord gives both death and life; he brings some down to the grave but raises others up. The Lord makes some poor and others rich; he brings some down and lifts others up. He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honor. For all the earth is the Lord’s, and he has set the world in order. “He will protect his faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone. Those who fight against the Lord will be shattered. He thunders against them from heaven; the Lord judges throughout the earth. He gives power to his king; he increases the strength of his anointed one.” [1 Samuel 2.1-10]

I find myself paying particular attention today to Hannah's characterization of God.

This woman Hannah experienced the miracle of being given a child from God. She dedicated the child Samuel to God. This dedication by a praying mother of her child to God evidently was highly influential in the child's remaining pure even growing up in the presence of Eli's corrupt and wicked sons! What's more, we know from Bible history that Samuel faithfully served God all his life and walked in undeniable power with God. 

So, I think it is very important to recognize the devotion and commitment of Hannah to pray her son into the will of God through terrible circumstances. But we should also see validation of her understanding and characterization of God (described in the prayer above) by the results of her devotion and prayer!

In other words, based on the success of Hannah's prayers over the life of Samuel, I think it is worthwhile to consider her estimation of God to be accurate!

In particular, verses 9 and 10 provide important information: He will protect his faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone. Those who fight against the Lord will be shattered.

In context, verses 9 and 10 follow statements that God both raises up and brings down people. These statements seem to indicate therefore that people who work against God are brought down and those who work for Him are protected and raised up.

Hannah's life and experience seems to prove her characterization of God.

Father, thank You for preserving Hannah's story of faith and devotion! Help us to learn from it!