In order to really understand Hannah’s pain and depression in not being able to conceive a child, we’ve really gotta dive deep into the ancient Middle Eastern religious thoughts on the matter.
The first thing you should know is that the importance of fertility was not just restricted to the Hebrew culture.
Even the heathens would visit their fertility gods like Ba’al or Ashtoreth and pray for children…
And if their prayers weren’t answered, they’d offer up sacrifices or engage in some other ritual to fix the problem.
However, there was one big difference between the pagan world and the Hebrews in terms of wanting a large family.
For the Hebrews it was a matter of OBEDIENCE to God…
Whereas for the pagan world it was just a personal desire.
The Hebrews have always taken these verses from Genesis as a strict command to bring children into the world…
“Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, in the likeness of ourselves; and let them rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the animals, and over all the earth, and over every crawling creature that crawls on the earth.’ So God created humankind in his own image; in the image of God he created him: male and female he created them. God blessed them: God said to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air and every living creature that crawls on the earth.'”-Genesis 1:27-28
So in light of this interpretation, I think it’s easy to see how a Hebrew wife not marrying and giving birth to children was seen as disobedience to the Lord.
And it didn’t matter that she may have had a biological issue that prevented her from having kids.
It was still viewed as her fault…
Or worse that God had cursed her for some other sin she may have committed.
I’m telling you man, it wasn’t a pretty situation for a childless wife in the ancient Middle East.
She was viewed as one who God had cursed due to some disobedience in her life…
And then because the Lord had closed her womb, it was like she was being forced to break another commandment (to be fruitful and multiply).
It was a lose-lose situation.
And then I imagine that every time Elkanah, P’ninah and Hannah went up to Shiloh for the big yearly festival it made Hannah feel worse because she would be exposed to all of these families with their children…
Kind of like how I as a middle-aged single man feel out of place every time I go to worship service at some congregation and everyone immediately thinks I’m some pathetic loser when they find out I’ve never been married and don’t have any kids…
Never mind the hypocrisy of them literally worshipping a man who also never married and had kids (Yeshua)…
And if they’re a Christian church, the hypocrisy of them worshipping the teachings of a man who boasted in his singleness, the Apostle Paul.
Anyways, I think you get my point.
So what would be the biggest takeaway here?
For me, it’s to be content with your current situation whether you’re single or not.
Think about it like this…
If God is sovereign and is really in control of everything, then accept that it’s His Will you’re currently single.
Honestly, don’t you think that’s the most logical AND SCRIPTURAL position to take anyway?
Think about this for a sec.
In total there were six barren women in the Bible.
They were Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, the mother of Samson and some woman who was simply called the Shunammite.
In some of these cases, the presence of a fertile, though lesser loved co-wife worsens the barren wife’s stress and feelings of inferiority.
However, at the end of the day, God steps into the rescue the day, the women give birth to sons who are then ultimately dedicated back to God.
The lesson to be learned from this is that it is God who hold the keys to birth and death.
God gives….and in some cases, God takes back.
So rejoice in your situation no matter what it may be.
Stop stressing out and go get a Cafe latte or something.
Ya feel me?
Over and out.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“I am not saying this
because I am in need,
for I have learned to be content
whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need,
and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content
in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry,
whether living in plenty or in want.
I can do all this through him
who gives me strength.”
-Philippians 4:11-13
Well said!. I agree with you. Thanks for your messages
Interesting perspective that I hadn’t really considered. Todah.
Glad you found this interesting Myron. Be blessed!
Six barren women in Scripture…and Christ makes his bride (who would otherwise be the seventh barren woman) the most fruitful of all.
Amen!”
Quote:
“Never mind the hypocrisy of them literally worshipping a man who also never married and had kids (Yeshua)…
And if they’re a Christian church, the hypocrisy of them worshipping the teachings of a man who boasted in his singleness, the Apostle Paul.”
Ninja moves!
Thank you Eric…
I’ve always wondered about this…
I mean the the two most influential men in the history of Christianity were single men!