WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.540 So 1 Samuel 1. 00:00:07.120 --> 00:00:11.859 Now, there was a certain man in Ramatham Zophim of the mountains of Ephraim, 00:00:12.179 --> 00:00:19.600 and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zoph, and Ephraimite. 00:00:20.019 --> 00:00:24.820 And he had two wives. The name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other was Peninnah. 00:00:25.359 --> 00:00:27.820 Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 00:00:27.820 --> 00:00:33.960 This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. 00:00:34.640 --> 00:00:39.299 Also, the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there. 00:00:40.600 --> 00:00:49.320 And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah, his wife, and to all her sons and daughters. 00:00:49.900 --> 00:00:55.620 But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb. 00:00:55.619 --> 00:01:02.919 And her rival also provoked her severely to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. 00:01:03.539 --> 00:01:11.799 So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she had provoked her, and therefore she wept and did not eat. 00:01:11.799 --> 00:01:21.599 Then Elkanah, her husband, said to her, Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons? 00:01:22.500 --> 00:01:26.620 So Hannah rose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. 00:01:26.620 --> 00:01:37.160 Now Eli, the priest, was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of God, and she was in bitterness of soul and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. 00:01:37.820 --> 00:01:46.560 Then she made a vow and said, O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your maidservant and remember me, 00:01:46.840 --> 00:01:50.520 and not forget your maidservant, but will give your maidservant a male child, 00:01:50.519 --> 00:01:56.140 then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head. 00:01:56.659 --> 00:02:02.019 And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. 00:02:02.899 --> 00:02:07.419 Now Hannah spoke in her heart, only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. 00:02:07.920 --> 00:02:10.300 Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 00:02:11.039 --> 00:02:15.719 So Eli said to her, How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you. 00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:20.340 But Hannah answered and said, No, my Lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. 00:02:20.819 --> 00:02:26.280 I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 00:02:26.900 --> 00:02:34.219 Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now. 00:02:34.960 --> 00:02:42.560 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition, which you have asked of him. 00:02:42.560 --> 00:02:46.259 And he said, Let your maidservant find favor in your sight. 00:02:46.479 --> 00:02:50.860 So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. 00:02:51.599 --> 00:02:54.620 Then they rose early in the morning and worshipped before the Lord, 00:02:55.080 --> 00:02:58.120 and returned and came to their house at Ramah. 00:02:58.599 --> 00:03:01.379 And Eli knew his wife, and the Lord remembered her. 00:03:01.960 --> 00:03:06.300 So it came to pass, in the process of time, that Hannah conceived and bore a son, 00:03:06.300 --> 00:03:12.000 and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked for him from the Lord. 00:03:13.180 --> 00:03:19.479 Now the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord their yearly sacrifice and his vow. 00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:25.080 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, Not until the child is weaned, 00:03:25.180 --> 00:03:28.620 then I will take him, that he may appear before the Lord and remain there. 00:03:29.360 --> 00:03:33.599 So Elkanah, her husband, said to her, Do what seems best to you. 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:34.939 Wait until you have weaned him. 00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:37.060 Only let the Lord establish his word. 00:03:37.060 --> 00:03:40.780 Then the woman stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him. 00:03:41.500 --> 00:03:47.159 Now when she had weaned him, she took up with her with three bulls, 00:03:47.620 --> 00:03:52.599 and epheth a flower, a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. 00:03:52.759 --> 00:03:53.980 And the child was young. 00:03:54.920 --> 00:03:57.819 Then they slaughtered a bull and brought the child to Eli. 00:03:58.719 --> 00:04:01.539 And she said, O my Lord, as your soul lives, my Lord, 00:04:01.959 --> 00:04:05.579 I am the woman who stood by you here praying to the Lord. 00:04:06.319 --> 00:04:10.519 For this child I prayed, and the Lord granted me my petition which I asked him. 00:04:11.120 --> 00:04:16.019 Therefore, I also have lent him to the Lord. 00:04:16.039 --> 00:04:18.500 As long as he lives, he shall be lent to the Lord. 00:04:19.100 --> 00:04:20.659 And so they worshiped the Lord there. 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:23.500 This is the word of God for the people of God. 00:04:23.500 --> 00:04:24.079 Amen. 00:04:27.819 --> 00:04:35.259 Isaiah 40 says that the grass withers and the flower fades, 00:04:35.399 --> 00:04:37.639 but the word of the Lord stands forever. 00:04:38.639 --> 00:04:42.420 And in Luke 1, the angel, Gabriel, who stands in the presence of the Lord, 00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:47.120 declared that no word from God shall be void of power. 00:04:47.779 --> 00:04:49.139 May it be so for God's glory. 00:04:50.039 --> 00:04:51.000 Would you pray with me? 00:04:51.000 --> 00:05:00.339 Lord, we beg you to please do the work that only you can do. 00:05:01.399 --> 00:05:03.079 Please open the eyes of the blind. 00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:06.680 Please soften the hearts that were stoned. 00:05:08.360 --> 00:05:14.220 Lord, we pray that your word will be powerful in the way that your spirit applies it to our lives today, 00:05:14.220 --> 00:05:17.600 even from this ancient passage in 1 Samuel 1. 00:05:18.060 --> 00:05:19.259 For your glory we ask. 00:05:19.699 --> 00:05:20.060 Amen. 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:30.620 Reality does not depend on you and me seeing it. 00:05:32.180 --> 00:05:34.180 You think that simple statement is true? 00:05:34.819 --> 00:05:38.000 Reality does not depend on you and me seeing it. 00:05:39.279 --> 00:05:41.439 Here's a simple illustration of what I mean. 00:05:42.500 --> 00:05:46.060 In Utah, not too far from here, is Arches National Park. 00:05:47.680 --> 00:05:48.579 It's great. 00:05:49.259 --> 00:05:50.139 That's the reality. 00:05:50.139 --> 00:05:54.459 Whether or not you and I can see it right now, it stands there, and it's great. 00:05:55.180 --> 00:05:56.800 I've only gotten to go there one time. 00:05:56.879 --> 00:05:58.579 It was for an anniversary years ago. 00:05:59.319 --> 00:06:00.500 Grandparents were keeping our kids. 00:06:00.659 --> 00:06:09.259 And Andrea, my wife and I, we scheduled for a day-long mountain bike tour of this mountain on the Arches National Park. 00:06:09.259 --> 00:06:14.319 And the way we had signed up, I think it was God's providence, just a gift for us. 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:16.519 We thought we were going to be in this big group, a guided tour. 00:06:16.519 --> 00:06:26.099 And the group got divided in such a way that it was just Andrea and me along with this retired science teacher, probably in his 70s and way better shape than both of us. 00:06:26.100 --> 00:06:28.240 And he took us on this private tour. 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:32.160 And he was taking us off the trail and showing us all these really cool parts. 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:40.920 And because he was a retired high school science teacher, he was telling us about the rocks and the trees and just helping us to appreciate all the greatness that was there all along. 00:06:40.920 --> 00:06:45.020 So reality does not depend on you and me seeing it. 00:06:45.460 --> 00:06:45.960 It's there. 00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:46.720 It's great. 00:06:48.960 --> 00:06:52.980 Here's a true statement that is real, whether or not we see it. 00:06:53.680 --> 00:07:02.040 Psalm 145, 18, the Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 00:07:02.439 --> 00:07:04.439 The Lord is near all along. 00:07:04.439 --> 00:07:17.060 In this story in 1 Samuel, we see this glorious truth that the Lord is near his people, even when his people fail to see that God is near. 00:07:17.759 --> 00:07:28.800 So beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ, what I've been praying for you and for me today is that by the powerful work of the Holy Spirit, we'll be able to see how the Lord is near. 00:07:29.699 --> 00:07:31.240 The Lord was near his people. 00:07:31.819 --> 00:07:33.519 The Lord is near you and me. 00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:35.519 We need our Lord. 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:37.359 We need to be near him, don't we? 00:07:39.079 --> 00:07:44.519 Well, in this first chapter of 1 Samuel, I would like to walk us through these verses. 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:49.699 And I want to point out to you in six different movements or scenes how this is so. 00:07:51.019 --> 00:07:53.519 For context, it's our first time in this book. 00:07:54.579 --> 00:07:59.259 We have this little insight in 1 Chronicles 29, verses 29 and 30. 00:07:59.259 --> 00:08:10.659 It says that the acts of King David are written in the book of Samuel the seer, the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer. 00:08:11.139 --> 00:08:13.519 Three authors, one book. 00:08:13.620 --> 00:08:17.219 It's the book telling the story of David, the king of Israel. 00:08:17.220 --> 00:08:20.600 Really giving credibility to his kingdom and his kingship. 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:22.880 Three different authors. 00:08:23.940 --> 00:08:25.600 Samuel, Nathan, and Gad. 00:08:26.280 --> 00:08:30.760 And this is helpful because before we're too far in on the story, Samuel dies. 00:08:30.960 --> 00:08:33.180 And a lot more takes place in this narrative. 00:08:33.179 --> 00:08:35.239 So how could Samuel be the only author? 00:08:35.939 --> 00:08:43.000 Well, in the original language, these were the books of 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, and 2 Kings. 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:45.819 All one big historical narrative. 00:08:46.620 --> 00:08:55.059 And under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit being breathed out by God, he used these men, Samuel, Nathan, Gad, and maybe other scribes and others underneath them, 00:08:55.319 --> 00:08:58.000 to supervise putting together this massive narrative. 00:08:58.000 --> 00:09:02.799 As it was translated into Greek, it got divided into Samuel and Kings. 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:06.620 And then for the sake of size and access, it then got subdivided again. 00:09:06.779 --> 00:09:08.279 1 and 2 Samuel, though it's 1. 00:09:08.600 --> 00:09:10.179 And 1 and 2 Kings, though it's 1. 00:09:11.399 --> 00:09:13.460 What about the location? 00:09:13.940 --> 00:09:15.220 Would you look at verse 1 with me? 00:09:15.320 --> 00:09:17.059 1 Samuel chapter 1, verse 1. 00:09:19.700 --> 00:09:23.000 How does this massive book of the kingdom begin? 00:09:23.899 --> 00:09:25.639 It begins on a mountaintop. 00:09:25.639 --> 00:09:27.620 Verse 1 says, 00:09:27.740 --> 00:09:32.399 Now there was a certain man of Ramathayim Zophim. 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:35.840 Rama means heights or mountains. 00:09:36.699 --> 00:09:37.679 And in the plural. 00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:39.659 So heights. 00:09:40.139 --> 00:09:42.699 And then Zophim means views or seeing. 00:09:43.919 --> 00:09:45.720 So the heights with views. 00:09:46.340 --> 00:09:48.120 This is where this story begins. 00:09:48.779 --> 00:09:52.220 In the rest of the Bible, it's called in the short phrase, Rama. 00:09:52.220 --> 00:09:56.720 It refers to these mountains of Ephraim. 00:09:57.759 --> 00:09:59.800 We don't know the exact location. 00:09:59.940 --> 00:10:01.960 There are different theories, but I won't draw that out. 00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:06.420 What I want us to ponder is, what would be in sight? 00:10:06.920 --> 00:10:12.000 What would Samuel the seer be able to take in in his view from these mountaintops? 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:20.059 In the rest of this book, we read in 1 Samuel 7, 17, that these mountaintops were his place of retreat. 00:10:20.200 --> 00:10:20.960 They were his home. 00:10:21.559 --> 00:10:25.039 And Samuel the seer would go there for this great vision of the entire kingdom. 00:10:26.299 --> 00:10:29.860 And this is where he would sacrifice to the Lord on behalf of his people. 00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:31.940 1 Samuel 7, 17 says, 00:10:31.940 --> 00:11:00.720 So Samuel's life begins in Ramah, the mountains, and it ends in Ramah. 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:04.399 And much of his ministry was out of this mountaintop hub. 00:11:05.379 --> 00:11:09.320 The mountains with views for the seer over Israel. 00:11:10.940 --> 00:11:17.279 From this vantage point, you can also look back at the rich history of Israel. 00:11:18.139 --> 00:11:20.860 A rich history of God's faithfulness to his people. 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:25.860 Notice how the rest of verse 1 gives us a reminder of this long history. 00:11:25.860 --> 00:11:35.740 This certain man's name was Elkanah, the son of Jehoram, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zeph, and Ephraimite. 00:11:36.620 --> 00:11:41.480 The reference to his tribe takes you all the way back to the people of God as they were being brought into the land. 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:47.879 And who was it as they were coming into the promised land that was also from the great tribe of Ephraim? 00:11:47.879 --> 00:12:00.000 The name Elkanah also points to God's long history of faithfulness to his people. 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:05.299 Elkanah, the name that his parents gave him, it means God, that's El. 00:12:06.360 --> 00:12:09.120 God has created or God has acquired. 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:16.659 To this couple who named their baby, that's what they want to proclaim to everyone who meets their new little baby. 00:12:17.320 --> 00:12:19.299 God has created this one. 00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:22.440 God has acquired for us a child. 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:32.600 Just as God has created this nation of Israel out of nothing and acquired a people for himself, giving them a land of abundance, 00:12:33.379 --> 00:12:36.060 Elkanah exemplifies Israel. 00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:48.019 God has been faithful to preserve his people in this land from every generation, from Joshua all the way up to this point now of Elkanah, this man who lives in these mountains. 00:12:49.099 --> 00:12:53.399 God has been faithful to watch over them because God is their king. 00:12:56.059 --> 00:13:02.859 You and I have reminders every day, just like Elkanah did, of God's glorious sovereignty. 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:10.759 God's led us to live these years, at least here near the Rocky Mountains, the most beautiful mountains on this continent. 00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:16.680 A faithful God watching over his people, preserving us. 00:13:16.820 --> 00:13:18.800 A reminder that God is ruler of all. 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:21.860 He is king and he is ruling over his people. 00:13:23.340 --> 00:13:25.279 Well, that's our first movement or scene. 00:13:25.279 --> 00:13:33.500 So Israel, like Elkanah, had this rich history and daily reminders of God's goodness, but how did they live? 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:35.360 That's our second movement. 00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:40.019 How did the people of Israel live at this time in the land that God gave them? 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:44.480 We don't have to get too far into the story to get some strong hints. 00:13:44.899 --> 00:13:45.659 Look at verse 2. 00:13:45.659 --> 00:13:59.059 I say these are hints. 00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:07.500 I think we are to be careful readers of God's word and then also to make those observations in light of all the rest of scripture. 00:14:07.500 --> 00:14:18.879 So I think not only was Elkanah an example in this story of Israel, a microcosm, one man's life, exemplifying an entire nation. 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:22.620 But I think his attitude is what is reflected throughout this chapter. 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:29.720 Because right before this story, God's word leaves us with a cliffhanger in the book of Judges. 00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:34.840 And some of the craziest stories that we will read in the Bible come in this book of Judges. 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:38.800 We're told the very last verse, Judges 21, verse 25. 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:45.500 In those days, and still in these days of Elkanah, there was no king in Israel. 00:14:46.420 --> 00:14:48.360 Don't think for a minute that was a good thing. 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:53.580 That verse says everyone did what was right in his own eyes. 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:59.700 We don't want to live in a town where everyone is allowed to do whatever seems right in their own eyes. 00:15:00.160 --> 00:15:02.600 This would be a scary nation to live in. 00:15:03.960 --> 00:15:08.580 Would you look at our passage, 1 Samuel chapter 1, all the way down to verse 23. 00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:12.240 See if you pick up on a similarity in his phrase. 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:18.300 Elkanah says to Hannah, do what seems best to you. 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:23.840 Again, I don't want to vilify Elkanah if that's not the intent. 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:26.420 But I think the similarity is striking. 00:15:26.419 --> 00:15:37.519 We leave off and we have this part of Judges sticking out, looking for the phrases and the words that are going to overlap now leading into this next story of the rise of a kingdom. 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:41.340 And apparently this is how Elkanah lived. 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:46.159 Hannah is named first, most likely his first wife. 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.799 We're told she is barren. 00:15:47.799 --> 00:15:55.319 And if the attitude of the day is to do what seems best in your eyes, as he told his wife, do what seems best to you. 00:15:55.320 --> 00:16:01.800 It's very likely that Elkanah took matters into his own hands by getting a second wife who would not be barren. 00:16:03.800 --> 00:16:12.000 Simple principle is that if we bend God's law just enough so that you and I can stay in control and take matters into our own hands, 00:16:12.640 --> 00:16:14.980 then we too are living no better than Elkanah. 00:16:15.260 --> 00:16:16.620 We live as if there is no king. 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:26.019 Now, when the Bible describes a man who had two wives, the Bible is not prescribing that, saying, go and do this as well. 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:31.620 Much of what we read in the Bible is simply a description of how God redeemed sinners. 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:35.500 It's how they were living and what God did about it. 00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:40.600 How he is not far, he is near even people like this in Israel. 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:45.300 So, it's descriptive, not prescriptive. 00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:52.600 What is clear is that God clarifies, Jesus says in the New Testament, that yes, the Lord allowed for divorce. 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:59.220 And if these Israelites were going to drop one wife, there were regulations so that the widows would be provided for. 00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:02.320 And Jesus says, God did not design that. 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:04.839 That was because of your rebellious hearts toward God. 00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:16.139 The Bible is clear in Genesis 2, 24, that a man, one man, shall leave his parents and cleave or hold tightly to his wife. 00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:21.279 And the two, not the three or four or five or six, shall be one. 00:17:22.199 --> 00:17:23.539 This is God's good design. 00:17:23.859 --> 00:17:31.299 And every time that the Bible does describe polygamy, more than one spouse, more than one man or woman in a marriage, 00:17:31.639 --> 00:17:34.779 it always equals domestic strife. 00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:42.379 Would you remember that Elkanah's parents named him God has created or God has acquired? 00:17:43.459 --> 00:17:49.319 Elkanah's parents, just one generation prior, they knew it is God who gives the gift of life. 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:54.619 It's God who acquires a child when man can't. 00:17:56.379 --> 00:18:00.939 Elkanah seems to have lost his parents' high view of God's sovereignty. 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:07.700 A high view of God's sovereignty must be rediscovered by every new generation. 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:09.320 Isn't that true? 00:18:09.380 --> 00:18:10.380 You think of your own story. 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:14.420 When was it that God elevated himself up in your mind, in your heart? 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:20.160 And as you think of your children and grandchildren, as high of a view as God has given you, 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:22.680 God has to give that to them, doesn't he? 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:26.220 Each new generation must know there is a sovereign God. 00:18:28.620 --> 00:18:31.160 Do we live as if there is no king? 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:34.160 Do we take matters into our own hands? 00:18:35.080 --> 00:18:37.920 Or do we trust there is a sovereign God? 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:39.600 He is the giver of life. 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:43.180 And he will acquire for his people whatever we need. 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:48.980 Well, the third movement is the result of living in such a way. 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:53.320 Without the sovereign God as king, what becomes of your worship? 00:18:55.200 --> 00:19:01.240 Without God as the sovereign king overall in your mind, what becomes of your worship and mine? 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:10.480 We read in verse 3 that this man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:16.440 Shiloh is about 20 miles north of Jerusalem. 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:22.920 If you were to visit there or look up pictures, you could be able to see a terrain that looks very much like it does here. 00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:26.480 These are rolling, desert, semi-arid, rocky hills. 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:29.360 It would be a nice place for a hike. 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:37.059 And it's significant because in Joshua chapter 18, we're told that the whole congregation of the children of Israel 00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:42.639 assembled together at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting there. 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:48.240 Before Joshua, when Moses was with the people of Israel in the wilderness, there was the tent of meeting. 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:52.619 This is where the glorious presence of God would come and dwell with his people. 00:19:53.659 --> 00:19:59.559 So Shiloh now, over these generations, has come to represent God dwelling near his people. 00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:04.559 And this is where his people would gather to be near him and to worship him. 00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:12.799 Also in verse 3, we're told that the God who lives in Shiloh is the Lord of hosts. 00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:15.139 The Lord of hosts. 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:20.099 In the original language, it's Yahweh Sabaoth. 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.480 Yahweh Sabaoth. 00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:24.619 This is a significant name for God. 00:20:25.159 --> 00:20:28.539 It's the first time it's used in the Bible is right here in this verse. 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:34.059 Yahweh is God's covenant-making, covenant-keeping name. 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:39.599 So to refer to him as Lord or Yahweh, you're referring and reminding yourself 00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:44.359 he is a God who made a covenant with us and who will keep his covenant to us. 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:47.180 And Yahweh Sabaoth. 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:49.659 Sabaoth means the Lord of armies. 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:51.740 The Lord of war. 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.720 The Almighty King. 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:58.319 He has been near Israel all along. 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:02.859 He has been ready to minister to true worshipers. 00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:06.940 And this is where Elkanah's family goes, to Shiloh. 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:09.019 In verse 4, we read, 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:13.119 whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering. 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:17.519 See, on the outside, Elkanah is still doing as he was told. 00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:18.659 He's following the law. 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:21.460 He's going at least through the motions. 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:25.880 But we keep reading and we find out that his own home was a wreck. 00:21:26.840 --> 00:21:31.600 Elkanah would give portions to Peninnah, his wife, and all of her sons and daughters. 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.920 In verse 5, he says, 00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:40.500 To Hannah, he would give a double portion for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb. 00:21:43.080 --> 00:21:45.279 Hannah had Elkanah's love. 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:48.700 Peninnah had Elkanah's children. 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:59.200 Because God was not truly king of their lives, their worship was empty. 00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:03.200 We'll see this more and more as we read the story. 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:06.200 And this same principle is true for us. 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:16.620 If we don't know the Lord of love, if we don't know God, we begin to worship creatures instead of God. 00:22:17.580 --> 00:22:24.279 And the moment our hearts turn to worshiping anything less than God, we are sowing destruction for our own lives. 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:24.880 Isn't that true? 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:32.600 If we worship and love creatures, even our own family, like Elkanah, which is so tempting to do, 00:22:33.320 --> 00:22:37.100 then you can't enjoy the love of the Lord himself. 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:45.340 I think one reason that this family is how this story begins, the story of the kingdom of Israel, 00:22:45.600 --> 00:22:48.180 is because this family is a picture of the whole nation. 00:22:49.860 --> 00:22:52.340 In Mark 3, 25, Jesus says, 00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:56.539 A house divided against itself cannot stand. 00:22:57.419 --> 00:23:03.599 So this first household, in this first chapter of this first book of the story of the kingdom, 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:06.359 it's foreshadowing the kingdom of Israel. 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:10.559 So by the end of 2 Samuel, we'll have the kingdom of Israel, 00:23:11.579 --> 00:23:17.000 instead of being under one God as their king, now divided as two kingdoms with men over each. 00:23:18.919 --> 00:23:20.819 Well, Hannah's name means gracious. 00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:27.480 Hannah, we see is gracious on the inside. 00:23:29.159 --> 00:23:30.439 Penina means pearl. 00:23:32.179 --> 00:23:38.179 It's possible that Penina was, in fact, fitting her name, pleasing on the outside, to the eye only. 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:42.119 Penina may have been attractive on the outside, 00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:48.619 but inside we see that she was likely hurt and behaving in a vengeful way. 00:23:49.259 --> 00:23:54.139 We read in verse 6 that Hannah's rival also provoked her severely to make her miserable 00:23:54.139 --> 00:23:58.019 because the Lord had closed her womb. 00:23:59.699 --> 00:24:02.339 It was the Lord who had made Hannah barren. 00:24:02.339 --> 00:24:06.699 This was God's providence for Hannah's life. 00:24:07.199 --> 00:24:14.419 And Penina, in a place of worship, is mocking Hannah. 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:20.000 By doing this, Penina is really mocking God's providence. 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:25.240 She used the time of worship to provoke, and it worked. 00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:26.380 Look at verse 7. 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:29.480 It wasn't a one-time bad day. 00:24:30.580 --> 00:24:36.340 It was year by year when she went up to the house of the Lord that Penina provoked her. 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:39.799 Therefore, Hannah wept and did not eat. 00:24:41.699 --> 00:24:46.720 Penina had a false, empty, broken faith. 00:24:48.699 --> 00:24:54.500 One churchman with many decades of experience observed that most, 00:24:55.220 --> 00:25:01.240 sometimes the most spiteful hearts will often wear an outward show of religion as mask. 00:25:01.679 --> 00:25:05.539 Some of you have been hurt by those inside the church, the worst. 00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:11.279 Without God as sovereign king, we would be just like Penina. 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:15.639 We would not worship the Lord, but instead spite his providence, 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:20.539 and by worshiping the creatures inflict serious injury on one another. 00:25:20.659 --> 00:25:22.299 We would fall into false worship. 00:25:24.199 --> 00:25:28.259 Maybe there's someone here who doesn't know true worship still. 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:30.399 You don't know the true God. 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:34.840 And if you are tired of empty, outward motions, 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:40.759 God calls us in his word to fall before him as the sovereign king in worship. 00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:48.040 Without God as our sovereign king, we would be empty that way as well. 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:54.180 Well, the fourth movement here is that the Lord is still near his people, 00:25:54.399 --> 00:25:55.659 especially in their weeping. 00:25:56.960 --> 00:26:01.259 And he has a love for his people when they're hurting like this, like Hannah was, 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:04.539 like a husband would have for his bride. 00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:10.099 We see the love of God contrasted with Hannah's husband in the story. 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:10.959 Look at verse 8. 00:26:11.899 --> 00:26:13.619 Elkanah, her husband, said to her, 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:15.500 Hannah, why do you weep? 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.959 Do you not eat? 00:26:17.679 --> 00:26:19.939 And why is it that your heart is grieved? 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:29.059 Well, anyone who is a man and a husband can relate to not being very sensitive, 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:31.099 not reading the obvious reasons. 00:26:31.659 --> 00:26:33.599 And from his point, maybe it's not so obvious. 00:26:33.679 --> 00:26:34.839 He's doing his best here. 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:37.219 And to Hannah, it's just so painfully obvious. 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:38.160 How could you miss it? 00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:44.039 Elkanah's flaws, at least in my assessment after studying this passage for a few weeks, 00:26:44.900 --> 00:26:45.980 his flaws are numerous. 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:50.680 An unobservant husband, he fails to keep his own household orderly. 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:54.759 He allows painful provoking instead of true worship. 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.940 And what's more, look at verse 8. 00:26:58.259 --> 00:27:01.559 He says, am I not better to you than 10 sons? 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:06.400 In Israel, God says it's blessed to have children. 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:11.200 In an agrarian culture, it would have been necessary, more hands to work. 00:27:12.620 --> 00:27:18.740 And he says, this is maybe like an equivalent of an ancient Israelite love song that you'd hear on the radio. 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:21.460 Am I not better to you than 10 sons? 00:27:21.880 --> 00:27:23.880 He wants to be for Hannah, her all in all. 00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:28.640 The number 10 is a number of completeness or abundance. 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:35.000 He says, Hannah, just by being married to me, don't you have all the family you could ever dream of? 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:37.720 You should be totally fulfilled with me as your husband. 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.320 Don't I complete you? 00:27:39.780 --> 00:27:40.780 Aren't I your abundance? 00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:45.319 We have songs like that too, you know. 00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:47.160 I'm only one call away. 00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:48.660 I'll be there to save the day. 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:50.259 Superman's got nothing on me. 00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:55.379 And then, you know, the girl's just sitting there rolling her eyes like, oh, brother, who does this guy think he is? 00:27:56.099 --> 00:28:00.099 Well, Elkanah wants to be for Hannah what only God truly can be. 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:02.579 God must be the king. 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:09.399 Elkanah, you're her husband, but you are nothing compared to what her soul truly needs. 00:28:09.400 --> 00:28:14.180 I think I can be so much like Elkanah. 00:28:14.300 --> 00:28:19.500 We want our loved ones to be content, but we so quickly forget that we too are creatures. 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.720 That's all I am. 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.920 That's all I'll ever be. 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:25.840 I can never be what you need, which is God himself. 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:34.620 Well, after Elkanah's best effort at offering himself to be his wife's full satisfaction, 00:28:36.060 --> 00:28:38.300 Hannah just simply in verse 9 arose. 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:40.359 After she had finished. 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:44.480 We're told that she wasn't eating, but then she still finished. 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:48.859 In other words, she's graciously sitting through this torturous meal. 00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:50.599 No response. 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:52.480 Awkward. 00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:54.859 You can cut the tension with a knife. 00:28:56.119 --> 00:28:57.720 She just arose and leaves. 00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:58.659 Doesn't say anything. 00:28:59.680 --> 00:29:03.399 But then there's this wonderful little detail at the end of verse 9. 00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:06.660 A reminder of where all this is happening. 00:29:07.820 --> 00:29:09.759 What does verse 9 say at the end of yours? 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.620 They're in Shiloh. 00:29:12.800 --> 00:29:15.400 Shiloh is where the Lord meets you. 00:29:15.400 --> 00:29:21.240 This family is emotionally distant from one another. 00:29:21.860 --> 00:29:24.680 Their worship is empty, going through these outward motions. 00:29:25.280 --> 00:29:26.400 But it's in Shiloh. 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:30.440 It's near the presence of the Lord, the sovereign king. 00:29:30.560 --> 00:29:33.400 He's there all along, even if they don't see him. 00:29:33.400 --> 00:29:40.360 His spirit was already in Shiloh, ministering, ready to receive the hurting ones. 00:29:41.060 --> 00:29:42.060 Those who are barren. 00:29:42.780 --> 00:29:44.040 The gracious believer. 00:29:45.060 --> 00:29:46.259 The Lord is near you. 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:54.339 We know that the Lord of hosts is love because Christ has made the church his bride. 00:29:56.079 --> 00:30:01.059 And for all of our failings as men and husbands or spouses or parents or grandparents, 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:05.920 the Lord himself offers the love that our souls need. 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:09.079 And it's his own son, Jesus Christ. 00:30:09.079 --> 00:30:15.059 We read in Ephesians 5.25 that Christ loved the church and gave himself for her, 00:30:15.439 --> 00:30:20.460 that he might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:24.439 and that he might present her to himself as a glorious church, 00:30:24.659 --> 00:30:28.019 not having a spot or wrinkle or any such thing, 00:30:28.299 --> 00:30:31.079 but that she should be holy without blemish. 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:39.059 Received, embraced, fully, content, satisfied with God in Jesus Christ. 00:30:39.899 --> 00:30:45.039 We are faithless like this family, but God is faithful. 00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:48.059 And the Lord of hosts is near you as well. 00:30:48.899 --> 00:30:52.220 He's near his people, especially in our weeping. 00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:57.359 And he's there to love you and me as his church, his precious bride. 00:30:58.819 --> 00:31:00.679 But when our souls are anguishing and bitter, 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:06.899 the Lord is there for us, not only as the husband, but also as the priest. 00:31:06.900 --> 00:31:10.640 The next contrast I see is with Eli the priest. 00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:18.780 Remember how the New Testament in Hebrews emphasizes how Jesus Christ finished his work 00:31:18.780 --> 00:31:21.900 and he sat down at the right hand of the Father. 00:31:22.300 --> 00:31:24.900 He sat down as high priest because his work is finished. 00:31:24.900 --> 00:31:32.140 So the ancient Jewish reader would understand that a priest only sits once the work is finished. 00:31:33.080 --> 00:31:34.160 Well, look at verse 9. 00:31:35.060 --> 00:31:39.180 Now, Eli the priest was, what was his posture? 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:45.860 He was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the Lord. 00:31:45.859 --> 00:31:52.599 As we keep reading into chapter 2, Eli is described as laying there. 00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:57.099 Eli is described as being even older and as being blind. 00:31:57.799 --> 00:32:00.439 Eli is the picture of a passive priest. 00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:03.960 He was passive with his sons. 00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:07.140 Their names are mentioned here to simply introduce them 00:32:07.140 --> 00:32:12.539 because they're going to expose even on a bigger level how horrible the worship was 00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:16.360 in the presence of the Holy God at this time in redemptive history. 00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:20.720 In verse 10, we read that Hannah was in bitterness of soul 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:23.640 and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:26.120 Of course she wept. 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:28.660 Of course her soul was anguishing. 00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:31.400 Family was a painful topic. 00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:34.259 The future was a depressing thought. 00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:39.420 So many sour emotions swelling up, suffocating. 00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:41.720 Can't even get the words out to pray. 00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:45.820 In verse 13, Hannah spoke in her heart only 00:32:45.820 --> 00:32:49.640 as her lips moved but her voice was not heard 00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:52.519 and therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:56.480 It's the job of the priest to be ministering to God's people, 00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:59.940 to be watching them, to be caring for their souls. 00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:07.039 And Eli assumes she's drunk probably because that type of debauchery was going on 00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:10.360 around the meeting of the Holy God in Shiloh. 00:33:11.799 --> 00:33:14.140 In verse 14, Eli said to Hannah, 00:33:14.259 --> 00:33:15.460 how long will you be drunk? 00:33:16.799 --> 00:33:19.059 Notice how Eli did not hear her prayers 00:33:19.059 --> 00:33:23.019 and he did not offer to pray with her and minister 00:33:23.019 --> 00:33:25.259 but instead he scolds her. 00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:27.599 In verse 17, Eli says, 00:33:27.720 --> 00:33:29.019 go in peace. 00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:31.119 But when he gives her this blessing, 00:33:31.240 --> 00:33:33.460 he's using God's generic name. 00:33:33.679 --> 00:33:34.879 He says, the God of Israel. 00:33:36.359 --> 00:33:37.639 And earlier in this chapter, 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:38.980 God is introduced as 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:40.299 Yahweh, 00:33:41.339 --> 00:33:42.119 Sabaoth, 00:33:42.839 --> 00:33:44.259 the king of armies, 00:33:44.460 --> 00:33:45.639 the covenant-keeping God, 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:46.980 not just the God of Israel. 00:33:46.980 --> 00:33:49.019 And Eli says, 00:33:49.099 --> 00:33:51.579 may God grant the petition which you have asked. 00:33:51.759 --> 00:33:52.299 In other words, 00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:54.160 you ask for what you wanted. 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:56.960 May you get what seems right in your eyes 00:33:56.960 --> 00:33:59.039 like everyone else in Israel. 00:34:00.059 --> 00:34:01.339 Both men in this story, 00:34:01.400 --> 00:34:02.400 Eli and Elkina, 00:34:03.220 --> 00:34:04.799 exemplifying the attitude. 00:34:05.160 --> 00:34:07.079 Everyone, do what's right in your own eyes. 00:34:07.420 --> 00:34:08.619 May you get whatever you want. 00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:12.639 Although her voice was not heard, 00:34:12.780 --> 00:34:14.820 God heard Hannah's prayer. 00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:17.740 When you and I pray, 00:34:17.820 --> 00:34:19.580 even when you can't get the words out, 00:34:20.660 --> 00:34:22.380 and I know some of you have 00:34:22.380 --> 00:34:24.420 prayed such prayers even these weeks, 00:34:25.160 --> 00:34:27.960 we know God hears us 00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:31.320 because we have a much better high priest, 00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:32.820 Jesus Christ himself. 00:34:33.960 --> 00:34:35.660 Hebrews 2.17 tells us that 00:34:35.660 --> 00:34:36.940 Jesus became for us 00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:39.720 a merciful and faithful high priest. 00:34:40.100 --> 00:34:41.260 He made propitiation 00:34:41.260 --> 00:34:43.039 for the sins of his people. 00:34:43.039 --> 00:34:45.420 He satisfied the wrath of God. 00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.500 He became our shield. 00:34:47.639 --> 00:34:50.519 And he ministers God to us. 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:53.320 He forever lives to pray for us. 00:34:53.860 --> 00:34:56.239 And his Holy Spirit brings our prayers to him. 00:34:56.480 --> 00:34:58.320 And he repeats those prayers to God, 00:34:58.779 --> 00:35:01.279 ministering out of love for you and me. 00:35:03.279 --> 00:35:04.440 We're told in verse 10 00:35:04.440 --> 00:35:06.860 that Hannah was in bitterness of soul 00:35:06.860 --> 00:35:08.619 and she prayed to the Lord 00:35:08.619 --> 00:35:10.400 and wept in anguish. 00:35:10.400 --> 00:35:14.900 God the Son took on flesh. 00:35:15.700 --> 00:35:16.420 Truly God, 00:35:16.860 --> 00:35:18.760 adding on truly man 00:35:18.760 --> 00:35:21.639 so that he could know such anguish 00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:24.019 and be a priest who can identify 00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:25.800 with the suffering of his people. 00:35:26.380 --> 00:35:27.119 As high priest, 00:35:27.240 --> 00:35:29.500 Jesus felt our anguish of soul. 00:35:30.820 --> 00:35:32.280 Hebrews 4.15 tells us 00:35:32.280 --> 00:35:34.340 Jesus can sympathize with us 00:35:34.340 --> 00:35:35.079 in our weakness. 00:35:35.579 --> 00:35:37.059 He can hear our prayers. 00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:39.079 In verse 15, 00:35:39.159 --> 00:35:40.719 Hannah poured out her soul 00:35:40.719 --> 00:35:41.799 to the Lord, we're told. 00:35:42.960 --> 00:35:44.239 And in Hebrews 4.14, 00:35:44.380 --> 00:35:45.380 we're told that we have 00:35:45.380 --> 00:35:46.860 a great high priest. 00:35:47.619 --> 00:35:50.739 One who has passed through the heavens, 00:35:51.219 --> 00:35:53.019 Jesus, the Son of God. 00:35:53.599 --> 00:35:55.519 And he has opened up the access, 00:35:55.739 --> 00:35:56.420 full access. 00:35:56.900 --> 00:35:57.980 So we are in the presence 00:35:57.980 --> 00:35:59.039 of the loving God, 00:35:59.159 --> 00:35:59.779 our Creator, 00:36:00.199 --> 00:36:01.460 who is ministering 00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:03.599 and pouring God's love 00:36:03.599 --> 00:36:04.380 over you 00:36:04.380 --> 00:36:05.840 as you weep to him 00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:07.059 and cry out 00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:08.480 in bitterness of soul, 00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:11.000 Jesus is your high priest. 00:36:12.240 --> 00:36:13.559 You see how the Lord of hosts 00:36:13.559 --> 00:36:15.440 was near his people all along? 00:36:16.440 --> 00:36:17.360 He's near Hannah. 00:36:18.519 --> 00:36:20.159 He's even near Elkanah 00:36:20.159 --> 00:36:21.360 and Peninnah 00:36:21.360 --> 00:36:22.840 and Eli 00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:24.579 and Eli's sons. 00:36:25.300 --> 00:36:27.360 If they will acknowledge him, 00:36:27.920 --> 00:36:29.119 if their view of God 00:36:29.119 --> 00:36:30.380 as their sovereign Lord, 00:36:30.799 --> 00:36:32.199 the Lord of hosts, 00:36:33.039 --> 00:36:33.500 Yahweh, 00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:35.079 the King of armies, 00:36:35.599 --> 00:36:36.359 he is near. 00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:37.779 He is their King. 00:36:39.900 --> 00:36:40.779 When our souls 00:36:40.779 --> 00:36:41.839 are anguishing and bitter, 00:36:42.380 --> 00:36:43.339 our Lord himself 00:36:43.339 --> 00:36:45.219 is near to minister 00:36:45.219 --> 00:36:46.359 to you and me as well. 00:36:47.699 --> 00:36:48.480 Well, the sixth 00:36:48.480 --> 00:36:49.199 and final movement 00:36:49.199 --> 00:36:49.799 for today 00:36:49.799 --> 00:36:51.639 is that as sovereign King, 00:36:51.739 --> 00:36:52.940 God orders his kingdom 00:36:52.940 --> 00:36:54.719 for his glory 00:36:54.719 --> 00:36:56.039 and our good. 00:36:56.779 --> 00:36:57.279 And that's really 00:36:57.280 --> 00:36:58.200 what the rest of all 00:36:58.200 --> 00:36:59.280 of these books are about. 00:36:59.800 --> 00:37:01.660 How is God going to order 00:37:01.660 --> 00:37:02.620 his kingdom 00:37:02.620 --> 00:37:03.760 for his glory 00:37:03.760 --> 00:37:04.660 and for the good 00:37:04.660 --> 00:37:05.240 of his people? 00:37:06.680 --> 00:37:07.920 You see how when Hannah 00:37:07.920 --> 00:37:08.760 was most hurt, 00:37:08.940 --> 00:37:09.660 most desperate, 00:37:10.500 --> 00:37:12.019 most dependent on God alone, 00:37:13.140 --> 00:37:15.080 God ministers to her 00:37:15.080 --> 00:37:16.019 and teaches her. 00:37:17.100 --> 00:37:18.000 Up to verse 10, 00:37:18.440 --> 00:37:19.800 we've seen this prayer 00:37:19.800 --> 00:37:20.640 of intensity. 00:37:21.920 --> 00:37:22.860 And now we see 00:37:22.860 --> 00:37:23.660 what she learned 00:37:23.660 --> 00:37:24.480 coming out of that 00:37:24.480 --> 00:37:26.500 weeping in Shiloh. 00:37:26.900 --> 00:37:27.599 In verse 11, 00:37:28.300 --> 00:37:29.179 we're simply told 00:37:29.179 --> 00:37:29.900 the outcome. 00:37:31.440 --> 00:37:32.940 Then she, Hannah, 00:37:33.019 --> 00:37:33.980 made a vow 00:37:33.980 --> 00:37:34.840 and said, 00:37:35.340 --> 00:37:36.079 this is the outcome. 00:37:36.240 --> 00:37:37.019 On the other side 00:37:37.019 --> 00:37:37.639 of this crisis, 00:37:38.119 --> 00:37:39.300 this is how she prays. 00:37:39.659 --> 00:37:41.500 Oh, Lord of hosts. 00:37:42.579 --> 00:37:43.360 Hannah declares 00:37:43.360 --> 00:37:45.039 the name of God, 00:37:45.300 --> 00:37:46.519 Yahweh, King of his people. 00:37:47.179 --> 00:37:48.300 Oh, covenant-keeping, 00:37:48.460 --> 00:37:49.159 God of armies, 00:37:49.619 --> 00:37:50.300 Lord of war, 00:37:50.659 --> 00:37:51.460 Almighty King. 00:37:51.460 --> 00:37:54.440 In my nation, 00:37:54.539 --> 00:37:55.260 everyone does 00:37:55.260 --> 00:37:56.179 whatever seems right 00:37:56.179 --> 00:37:56.900 in their eyes, 00:37:57.199 --> 00:37:58.940 but please teach me 00:37:58.940 --> 00:38:00.000 to live as if 00:38:00.000 --> 00:38:01.559 you are the true king. 00:38:02.079 --> 00:38:03.139 You are my king. 00:38:03.659 --> 00:38:04.599 That's what she says 00:38:04.599 --> 00:38:05.800 with these words. 00:38:07.119 --> 00:38:07.740 In verse 11, 00:38:07.880 --> 00:38:09.119 if you will indeed 00:38:09.119 --> 00:38:10.400 look on the affliction 00:38:10.400 --> 00:38:11.360 of your maidservant 00:38:11.360 --> 00:38:12.519 and remember me 00:38:12.519 --> 00:38:13.500 and not forget 00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:14.340 your maidservant, 00:38:15.760 --> 00:38:15.960 you, 00:38:16.760 --> 00:38:18.079 you be my priest, 00:38:18.260 --> 00:38:18.420 Lord. 00:38:18.420 --> 00:38:20.079 I will be your bride 00:38:20.079 --> 00:38:22.360 and if you will, 00:38:23.000 --> 00:38:24.019 give your maidservant 00:38:24.019 --> 00:38:25.440 a male child. 00:38:27.139 --> 00:38:28.280 Well, here's one more 00:38:28.280 --> 00:38:29.460 barren woman 00:38:29.460 --> 00:38:32.099 in God's ancient people. 00:38:33.380 --> 00:38:34.440 She's in good company 00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:35.800 with Sarah, 00:38:36.880 --> 00:38:37.320 Rebecca, 00:38:38.579 --> 00:38:38.920 Rachel. 00:38:40.079 --> 00:38:41.280 Why is it that God 00:38:41.280 --> 00:38:42.300 loves to minister 00:38:42.300 --> 00:38:43.800 to the barren, 00:38:44.500 --> 00:38:45.360 those who can't have 00:38:45.360 --> 00:38:46.240 children on their own? 00:38:46.239 --> 00:38:49.219 It reveals 00:38:49.219 --> 00:38:50.719 that when we are 00:38:50.719 --> 00:38:51.699 most helpless, 00:38:52.099 --> 00:38:52.919 most weak, 00:38:53.699 --> 00:38:54.899 God is sovereign. 00:38:56.099 --> 00:38:57.179 He gets all the glory 00:38:57.179 --> 00:38:59.359 and it's for 00:38:59.359 --> 00:39:00.459 our good 00:39:00.459 --> 00:39:01.199 in Him. 00:39:02.139 --> 00:39:02.839 He's reminding 00:39:02.839 --> 00:39:03.859 that He is the God 00:39:03.859 --> 00:39:04.859 who keeps His covenant. 00:39:06.259 --> 00:39:07.599 Here's a barren woman 00:39:07.599 --> 00:39:09.459 who cannot generate life 00:39:09.459 --> 00:39:11.459 and God loves 00:39:11.459 --> 00:39:12.819 to bring life 00:39:12.819 --> 00:39:13.919 to that which is 00:39:13.919 --> 00:39:14.839 dead and barren. 00:39:14.840 --> 00:39:17.220 We are all dead 00:39:17.220 --> 00:39:17.700 and barren 00:39:17.700 --> 00:39:18.240 in Adam 00:39:18.240 --> 00:39:21.140 and the Lord 00:39:21.140 --> 00:39:22.300 regenerates. 00:39:22.740 --> 00:39:23.460 His Holy Spirit 00:39:23.460 --> 00:39:24.519 is breathed out. 00:39:25.160 --> 00:39:25.980 Jesus preaches this 00:39:25.980 --> 00:39:26.880 to Nicodemus. 00:39:27.480 --> 00:39:28.740 How can a man like me 00:39:28.740 --> 00:39:29.480 be born again? 00:39:29.840 --> 00:39:31.019 The Spirit breathes 00:39:31.019 --> 00:39:32.519 wherever it wills. 00:39:32.820 --> 00:39:33.880 The Spirit of God 00:39:33.880 --> 00:39:34.660 is sovereign 00:39:34.660 --> 00:39:36.280 and He alone 00:39:36.280 --> 00:39:37.820 can generate life 00:39:37.820 --> 00:39:39.380 where there is nothing. 00:39:39.380 --> 00:39:39.480 Nothing. 00:39:39.480 --> 00:39:44.280 verse 11 00:39:44.280 --> 00:39:44.860 we're told 00:39:44.860 --> 00:39:46.679 the vow. 00:39:47.360 --> 00:39:47.900 Hannah says, 00:39:48.240 --> 00:39:49.400 then I will give Him 00:39:49.400 --> 00:39:50.340 to the Lord. 00:39:51.880 --> 00:39:53.199 What God taught Hannah 00:39:53.199 --> 00:39:54.219 is revealed in this 00:39:54.219 --> 00:39:55.880 vow that she makes. 00:39:57.000 --> 00:39:58.260 Her motive now, 00:39:58.599 --> 00:39:59.179 at least, 00:39:59.480 --> 00:40:00.199 on the other side 00:40:00.199 --> 00:40:00.760 of the crisis 00:40:00.760 --> 00:40:01.699 and on the other side 00:40:01.699 --> 00:40:02.219 of praying 00:40:02.219 --> 00:40:03.119 and God ministering 00:40:03.119 --> 00:40:03.480 to her 00:40:03.480 --> 00:40:05.340 is not to please 00:40:05.340 --> 00:40:05.920 her husband. 00:40:05.920 --> 00:40:08.480 Her motive is not 00:40:08.480 --> 00:40:10.099 to spite her rival 00:40:10.099 --> 00:40:11.500 and it's not even 00:40:11.500 --> 00:40:12.780 for her own contentment. 00:40:13.980 --> 00:40:14.659 In gratitude, 00:40:14.920 --> 00:40:15.480 she is now 00:40:15.480 --> 00:40:16.360 seeking first 00:40:16.360 --> 00:40:17.680 God's kingdom. 00:40:18.659 --> 00:40:19.420 The Lord has taught 00:40:19.420 --> 00:40:20.200 Hannah to be 00:40:20.200 --> 00:40:21.800 content with Himself. 00:40:23.240 --> 00:40:23.900 In gratitude, 00:40:24.599 --> 00:40:25.820 she will give back 00:40:25.820 --> 00:40:26.740 this very son 00:40:26.740 --> 00:40:27.500 all the days 00:40:27.500 --> 00:40:28.159 of His life. 00:40:29.619 --> 00:40:30.280 And then she says 00:40:30.280 --> 00:40:30.840 something maybe 00:40:30.840 --> 00:40:31.420 unexpected. 00:40:31.659 --> 00:40:32.039 She says, 00:40:32.159 --> 00:40:33.180 no razor 00:40:33.180 --> 00:40:34.480 shall come upon 00:40:34.480 --> 00:40:35.059 His head. 00:40:35.059 --> 00:40:36.079 Well, 00:40:38.340 --> 00:40:38.820 this is a 00:40:38.820 --> 00:40:39.699 Nazarite vow 00:40:39.699 --> 00:40:41.299 as was given 00:40:41.299 --> 00:40:41.900 to the people 00:40:41.900 --> 00:40:42.320 of God 00:40:42.320 --> 00:40:43.679 in Numbers chapter 6 00:40:43.679 --> 00:40:44.639 that a man 00:40:44.639 --> 00:40:45.320 or a woman 00:40:45.320 --> 00:40:46.259 could temporarily 00:40:46.259 --> 00:40:47.320 consecrate themselves 00:40:47.320 --> 00:40:48.039 to God 00:40:48.039 --> 00:40:49.099 for a period 00:40:49.099 --> 00:40:49.619 of time. 00:40:51.559 --> 00:40:52.559 It seems maybe 00:40:52.559 --> 00:40:53.599 random 00:40:53.599 --> 00:40:54.639 or out of context 00:40:54.639 --> 00:40:55.299 that she would now 00:40:55.299 --> 00:40:55.799 pull this 00:40:55.799 --> 00:40:57.159 somewhat obscure 00:40:57.159 --> 00:40:57.799 reference up 00:40:57.799 --> 00:40:58.139 to say, 00:40:58.199 --> 00:40:58.900 if I'll give my child 00:40:58.900 --> 00:40:59.539 back and I won't 00:40:59.539 --> 00:41:00.179 shave his head, 00:41:00.539 --> 00:41:01.599 it'll be a Nazarite vow 00:41:01.599 --> 00:41:02.440 I'll make on behalf 00:41:02.440 --> 00:41:03.079 of my son. 00:41:03.079 --> 00:41:05.000 But think of 00:41:05.000 --> 00:41:06.000 one more barren 00:41:06.000 --> 00:41:06.599 woman 00:41:06.599 --> 00:41:07.759 in the story 00:41:07.759 --> 00:41:08.299 of redemption 00:41:08.299 --> 00:41:09.039 and this would be 00:41:09.039 --> 00:41:09.880 the most recent 00:41:09.880 --> 00:41:11.099 example on Hannah's 00:41:11.099 --> 00:41:12.019 mind and on the 00:41:12.019 --> 00:41:12.599 minds of all the 00:41:12.599 --> 00:41:13.799 Israelites coming out 00:41:13.799 --> 00:41:14.840 of the book of Judges. 00:41:15.500 --> 00:41:16.739 We don't even know 00:41:16.739 --> 00:41:17.500 the name of this 00:41:17.500 --> 00:41:18.000 barren woman, 00:41:18.119 --> 00:41:19.000 we know her husband's 00:41:19.000 --> 00:41:19.259 name, 00:41:19.599 --> 00:41:20.340 his name was 00:41:20.340 --> 00:41:21.119 Manoah, 00:41:21.440 --> 00:41:22.179 we can call her 00:41:22.179 --> 00:41:23.400 Mrs. Manoah. 00:41:24.460 --> 00:41:25.380 She was the mother 00:41:25.380 --> 00:41:27.079 of the last judge 00:41:27.079 --> 00:41:27.739 of Israel. 00:41:28.619 --> 00:41:29.380 You know the name 00:41:29.380 --> 00:41:29.980 of that judge, 00:41:30.039 --> 00:41:30.380 don't you? 00:41:30.380 --> 00:41:32.099 It was Samson 00:41:32.099 --> 00:41:33.240 whose hair would 00:41:33.240 --> 00:41:33.820 not be cut. 00:41:34.380 --> 00:41:35.300 He was used by God 00:41:35.300 --> 00:41:36.320 to fight the 00:41:36.320 --> 00:41:36.920 Philistines. 00:41:38.840 --> 00:41:39.780 The Philistines 00:41:39.780 --> 00:41:40.440 were a people 00:41:40.440 --> 00:41:41.440 living in this 00:41:41.440 --> 00:41:41.860 land, 00:41:42.119 --> 00:41:42.820 the promised land 00:41:42.820 --> 00:41:43.420 that God gave 00:41:43.420 --> 00:41:43.940 to Israel. 00:41:44.940 --> 00:41:45.340 And what's 00:41:45.340 --> 00:41:45.940 happening at this 00:41:45.940 --> 00:41:46.619 time in world 00:41:46.619 --> 00:41:47.880 history is that 00:41:47.880 --> 00:41:48.460 in Greece, 00:41:48.680 --> 00:41:49.480 they're using 00:41:49.480 --> 00:41:50.539 iron to make 00:41:50.539 --> 00:41:51.019 weapons. 00:41:51.920 --> 00:41:52.860 And the weapons 00:41:52.860 --> 00:41:53.820 of ancient Greece 00:41:53.820 --> 00:41:55.440 make all of the 00:41:55.440 --> 00:41:55.940 other weapons 00:41:55.940 --> 00:41:56.519 that any other 00:41:56.519 --> 00:41:57.039 people group 00:41:57.039 --> 00:41:57.680 could come up 00:41:57.680 --> 00:41:58.160 with in this 00:41:58.160 --> 00:41:59.079 early iron time 00:41:59.079 --> 00:42:00.420 period as if 00:42:00.420 --> 00:42:00.920 they were made 00:42:00.920 --> 00:42:01.360 of wood. 00:42:02.179 --> 00:42:02.799 These iron 00:42:02.799 --> 00:42:03.840 weapons make 00:42:03.840 --> 00:42:04.420 it as though 00:42:04.420 --> 00:42:04.940 the nation 00:42:04.940 --> 00:42:05.480 of Israel 00:42:05.480 --> 00:42:06.219 are a bunch 00:42:06.219 --> 00:42:06.739 of children 00:42:06.739 --> 00:42:07.340 with plastic 00:42:07.340 --> 00:42:07.840 toys. 00:42:08.880 --> 00:42:09.619 The Philistines 00:42:09.619 --> 00:42:10.380 have their hands 00:42:10.380 --> 00:42:11.659 on iron weapons. 00:42:12.860 --> 00:42:13.579 Everyone knows 00:42:13.579 --> 00:42:13.880 this. 00:42:14.139 --> 00:42:14.500 Are we going 00:42:14.500 --> 00:42:14.960 to lose our 00:42:14.960 --> 00:42:15.179 land? 00:42:15.259 --> 00:42:15.579 They've already 00:42:15.579 --> 00:42:16.340 taken the 00:42:16.340 --> 00:42:17.319 entire Mediterranean 00:42:17.319 --> 00:42:19.039 coast of Israel. 00:42:19.960 --> 00:42:20.319 The Lord 00:42:20.319 --> 00:42:21.340 raised up Samson, 00:42:22.219 --> 00:42:23.099 but we all know 00:42:23.099 --> 00:42:23.559 how the book 00:42:23.559 --> 00:42:24.340 of Judges ends. 00:42:24.440 --> 00:42:24.980 It's crisis 00:42:24.980 --> 00:42:25.860 and chaos. 00:42:26.480 --> 00:42:27.179 Israel has 00:42:27.179 --> 00:42:27.759 no king. 00:42:27.760 --> 00:42:28.480 And they're 00:42:28.480 --> 00:42:28.940 so proud 00:42:28.940 --> 00:42:29.300 they won't 00:42:29.300 --> 00:42:30.080 worship God 00:42:30.080 --> 00:42:30.860 as their 00:42:30.860 --> 00:42:31.140 king. 00:42:34.200 --> 00:42:35.220 Hannah says, 00:42:35.460 --> 00:42:35.820 I will give 00:42:35.820 --> 00:42:36.260 this child 00:42:36.260 --> 00:42:36.680 back. 00:42:36.860 --> 00:42:37.420 No razor 00:42:37.420 --> 00:42:38.240 will touch 00:42:38.240 --> 00:42:38.920 his head. 00:42:40.720 --> 00:42:41.280 Hannah's 00:42:41.280 --> 00:42:42.400 acknowledging 00:42:42.400 --> 00:42:42.900 to God, 00:42:43.020 --> 00:42:43.140 Lord, 00:42:43.240 --> 00:42:43.720 beyond my 00:42:43.720 --> 00:42:44.420 own wounds, 00:42:45.260 --> 00:42:45.820 beyond my 00:42:45.820 --> 00:42:46.300 needs and 00:42:46.300 --> 00:42:46.780 desires, 00:42:47.120 --> 00:42:47.620 the real 00:42:47.620 --> 00:42:48.220 need right 00:42:48.220 --> 00:42:49.180 now for 00:42:49.180 --> 00:42:49.560 Israel, 00:42:49.720 --> 00:42:50.000 for your 00:42:50.000 --> 00:42:50.380 people, 00:42:50.920 --> 00:42:51.360 is that 00:42:51.360 --> 00:42:51.840 Yahweh, 00:42:52.180 --> 00:42:52.660 the Lord 00:42:52.660 --> 00:42:53.440 of hosts, 00:42:53.660 --> 00:42:54.300 will rule 00:42:54.300 --> 00:42:54.840 as our 00:42:54.840 --> 00:42:55.080 king. 00:42:56.020 --> 00:42:56.600 And if it's 00:42:56.600 --> 00:42:57.000 your will, 00:42:57.000 --> 00:42:57.320 may you 00:42:57.320 --> 00:42:57.820 do it 00:42:57.820 --> 00:42:58.300 through 00:42:58.300 --> 00:42:58.739 another 00:42:58.739 --> 00:42:59.300 Samson, 00:42:59.780 --> 00:43:00.199 my own 00:43:00.199 --> 00:43:00.559 child, 00:43:00.760 --> 00:43:01.000 that I'll 00:43:01.000 --> 00:43:01.360 give back 00:43:01.360 --> 00:43:01.739 to you. 00:43:02.900 --> 00:43:03.480 We read 00:43:03.480 --> 00:43:03.800 at the end 00:43:03.800 --> 00:43:04.059 of this 00:43:04.059 --> 00:43:04.519 chapter in 00:43:04.519 --> 00:43:05.260 verse 27, 00:43:05.420 --> 00:43:05.940 Hannah says, 00:43:06.380 --> 00:43:06.719 for this 00:43:06.719 --> 00:43:07.280 child I 00:43:07.280 --> 00:43:07.679 prayed, 00:43:08.079 --> 00:43:08.380 and the 00:43:08.380 --> 00:43:08.800 Lord has 00:43:08.800 --> 00:43:09.559 granted me 00:43:09.559 --> 00:43:10.559 the petition 00:43:10.559 --> 00:43:11.039 which I 00:43:11.039 --> 00:43:11.860 asked of 00:43:11.860 --> 00:43:12.179 him. 00:43:15.639 --> 00:43:16.099 Her 00:43:16.099 --> 00:43:16.559 heart 00:43:16.559 --> 00:43:17.619 now knew 00:43:17.619 --> 00:43:18.679 what her 00:43:18.679 --> 00:43:19.139 mind 00:43:19.139 --> 00:43:20.260 accepted 00:43:20.260 --> 00:43:20.780 initially. 00:43:21.780 --> 00:43:22.440 It's that 00:43:22.440 --> 00:43:23.059 promise from 00:43:23.059 --> 00:43:24.099 Psalm 145, 00:43:24.159 --> 00:43:24.539 18. 00:43:24.539 --> 00:43:25.920 the Lord 00:43:25.920 --> 00:43:27.239 is near 00:43:27.239 --> 00:43:28.099 to all 00:43:28.099 --> 00:43:28.500 those who 00:43:28.500 --> 00:43:28.920 call on 00:43:28.920 --> 00:43:29.139 him, 00:43:29.759 --> 00:43:30.400 to all 00:43:30.400 --> 00:43:31.340 who call 00:43:31.340 --> 00:43:31.800 on him 00:43:31.800 --> 00:43:32.619 in truth. 00:43:34.099 --> 00:43:34.800 She says 00:43:34.800 --> 00:43:35.099 in verse 00:43:35.099 --> 00:43:35.559 28, 00:43:35.719 --> 00:43:36.179 therefore I 00:43:36.179 --> 00:43:36.679 have also 00:43:36.679 --> 00:43:37.219 lent him 00:43:37.219 --> 00:43:37.579 to the 00:43:37.579 --> 00:43:37.840 Lord, 00:43:38.119 --> 00:43:38.659 as long 00:43:38.659 --> 00:43:39.000 as he 00:43:39.000 --> 00:43:39.279 lives, 00:43:39.360 --> 00:43:39.699 he shall 00:43:39.699 --> 00:43:40.579 be the 00:43:40.579 --> 00:43:41.159 Lord's. 00:43:42.940 --> 00:43:43.320 See, 00:43:43.360 --> 00:43:43.559 it was 00:43:43.559 --> 00:43:44.059 God now 00:43:44.059 --> 00:43:44.519 who has 00:43:44.519 --> 00:43:45.019 Hannah's 00:43:45.019 --> 00:43:45.639 heart. 00:43:46.940 --> 00:43:47.360 Her 00:43:47.360 --> 00:43:47.960 heart was 00:43:47.960 --> 00:43:48.759 God's 00:43:48.759 --> 00:43:49.279 above her 00:43:49.279 --> 00:43:49.699 husband, 00:43:50.659 --> 00:43:50.940 above 00:43:50.940 --> 00:43:51.579 competing with 00:43:51.579 --> 00:43:52.059 her rival, 00:43:52.059 --> 00:43:53.039 and even 00:43:53.039 --> 00:43:53.480 above 00:43:53.480 --> 00:43:54.360 Samuel, 00:43:55.000 --> 00:43:55.539 her beloved 00:43:55.539 --> 00:43:56.019 son. 00:43:57.039 --> 00:43:57.420 The name 00:43:57.420 --> 00:43:58.279 Samuel means 00:43:58.279 --> 00:43:59.400 God has 00:43:59.400 --> 00:43:59.799 heard. 00:44:01.639 --> 00:44:02.619 Samuel is 00:44:02.619 --> 00:44:03.360 the embodiment 00:44:03.360 --> 00:44:04.340 of answered 00:44:04.340 --> 00:44:04.699 prayer. 00:44:06.420 --> 00:44:06.719 In verse 00:44:06.719 --> 00:44:07.460 28, we're 00:44:07.460 --> 00:44:08.099 told simply, 00:44:08.400 --> 00:44:09.079 they worshipped 00:44:09.079 --> 00:44:09.840 the Lord 00:44:09.840 --> 00:44:10.440 there. 00:44:13.219 --> 00:44:14.059 Because the 00:44:14.059 --> 00:44:14.679 Lord worshipped 00:44:14.679 --> 00:44:15.799 to her what 00:44:15.799 --> 00:44:16.480 felt empty 00:44:16.480 --> 00:44:18.000 when they 00:44:18.000 --> 00:44:18.420 first went 00:44:18.420 --> 00:44:18.980 to Shiloh, 00:44:19.420 --> 00:44:19.860 what felt 00:44:19.860 --> 00:44:20.579 like a wrong 00:44:20.579 --> 00:44:21.599 focus in 00:44:21.599 --> 00:44:21.860 the middle 00:44:21.860 --> 00:44:22.199 of their 00:44:22.199 --> 00:44:22.559 worship. 00:44:24.319 --> 00:44:24.960 As they 00:44:24.960 --> 00:44:25.360 looked around 00:44:25.360 --> 00:44:25.900 their nation, 00:44:26.299 --> 00:44:26.839 it's hopeless. 00:44:27.739 --> 00:44:28.159 It's now 00:44:28.159 --> 00:44:28.960 been transformed 00:44:28.960 --> 00:44:29.639 by the 00:44:29.639 --> 00:44:30.199 ministry of 00:44:30.199 --> 00:44:31.339 God into 00:44:31.339 --> 00:44:31.860 fullness, 00:44:32.779 --> 00:44:33.440 true worship, 00:44:34.099 --> 00:44:34.559 and hope. 00:44:35.239 --> 00:44:35.880 Hope for 00:44:35.880 --> 00:44:36.380 herself, 00:44:37.019 --> 00:44:37.500 and hope 00:44:37.500 --> 00:44:38.199 for God's 00:44:38.199 --> 00:44:38.500 people. 00:44:40.579 --> 00:44:41.279 In the 00:44:41.279 --> 00:44:42.159 1500s, 00:44:42.219 --> 00:44:42.440 Martin 00:44:42.440 --> 00:44:42.779 Luther, 00:44:43.699 --> 00:44:44.199 one of the 00:44:44.199 --> 00:44:44.819 reformers, 00:44:46.420 --> 00:44:46.900 he had been 00:44:46.900 --> 00:44:47.659 deeply troubled 00:44:47.659 --> 00:44:48.539 personally by 00:44:48.539 --> 00:44:49.319 empty religion, 00:44:49.960 --> 00:44:50.940 by the 00:44:50.940 --> 00:44:52.059 manipulation of 00:44:52.059 --> 00:44:52.519 the word 00:44:52.519 --> 00:44:52.980 that God 00:44:52.980 --> 00:44:53.340 had given 00:44:53.340 --> 00:44:53.679 to his 00:44:53.679 --> 00:44:54.000 people. 00:44:54.940 --> 00:44:55.400 It was a 00:44:55.400 --> 00:44:55.740 time where 00:44:55.740 --> 00:44:56.200 the visible 00:44:56.200 --> 00:44:56.820 church was 00:44:56.820 --> 00:44:57.200 hopeless. 00:44:58.599 --> 00:44:58.960 And this 00:44:58.960 --> 00:44:59.619 same truth 00:44:59.619 --> 00:45:00.179 about God 00:45:00.179 --> 00:45:00.860 ministered to 00:45:00.860 --> 00:45:01.420 Martin Luther 00:45:01.420 --> 00:45:02.619 and to 00:45:02.619 --> 00:45:03.139 generations 00:45:03.139 --> 00:45:03.820 since then. 00:45:05.139 --> 00:45:05.639 Listen to 00:45:05.639 --> 00:45:06.099 this hymn, 00:45:06.260 --> 00:45:07.079 did we in 00:45:07.079 --> 00:45:07.800 our own 00:45:07.800 --> 00:45:08.280 strength 00:45:08.280 --> 00:45:09.099 confide, 00:45:09.500 --> 00:45:10.380 our striving 00:45:10.380 --> 00:45:10.900 would be 00:45:10.900 --> 00:45:11.380 losing, 00:45:12.019 --> 00:45:12.599 were not 00:45:12.599 --> 00:45:13.039 the right 00:45:13.039 --> 00:45:13.639 man on 00:45:13.639 --> 00:45:14.280 our side, 00:45:14.619 --> 00:45:15.159 the man's 00:45:15.159 --> 00:45:15.800 of God's 00:45:15.800 --> 00:45:16.659 own choosing. 00:45:17.400 --> 00:45:18.059 Thus ask 00:45:18.059 --> 00:45:18.460 to that 00:45:18.460 --> 00:45:19.019 might be 00:45:19.019 --> 00:45:20.000 Christ 00:45:20.000 --> 00:45:20.639 Jesus, 00:45:20.940 --> 00:45:21.380 it is 00:45:21.380 --> 00:45:21.719 he, 00:45:22.440 --> 00:45:22.920 Lord 00:45:22.920 --> 00:45:24.119 Sabaoth. 00:45:25.259 --> 00:45:25.599 The 00:45:25.599 --> 00:45:25.980 Lord of 00:45:25.980 --> 00:45:26.340 armies 00:45:26.340 --> 00:45:26.840 is his 00:45:26.840 --> 00:45:27.159 name, 00:45:27.539 --> 00:45:28.360 from age 00:45:28.360 --> 00:45:29.299 to age 00:45:29.299 --> 00:45:29.940 the same, 00:45:30.559 --> 00:45:31.199 and he 00:45:31.199 --> 00:45:32.340 must win 00:45:32.340 --> 00:45:33.380 the battle. 00:45:34.420 --> 00:45:34.759 You see 00:45:34.759 --> 00:45:35.059 how the 00:45:35.059 --> 00:45:35.420 Lord of 00:45:35.420 --> 00:45:35.960 hosts is 00:45:35.960 --> 00:45:36.860 near you 00:45:36.860 --> 00:45:37.279 as well, 00:45:37.360 --> 00:45:37.619 church. 00:45:38.739 --> 00:45:39.460 Let's go 00:45:39.460 --> 00:45:39.779 to this 00:45:39.779 --> 00:45:40.099 Lord, 00:45:40.460 --> 00:45:41.039 let's receive 00:45:41.039 --> 00:45:41.639 his ministry 00:45:41.639 --> 00:45:42.019 as our 00:45:42.019 --> 00:45:42.360 priest. 00:45:43.259 --> 00:45:43.579 Would you 00:45:43.579 --> 00:45:43.900 pray with 00:45:43.900 --> 00:45:44.079 me? 00:45:44.079 --> 00:45:47.739 Oh 00:45:47.739 --> 00:45:48.019 Father, 00:45:48.119 --> 00:45:48.539 we thank 00:45:48.539 --> 00:45:48.840 you that 00:45:48.840 --> 00:45:49.099 you are 00:45:49.099 --> 00:45:49.559 near your 00:45:49.559 --> 00:45:49.920 people, 00:45:50.519 --> 00:45:50.900 you are 00:45:50.900 --> 00:45:51.440 ministering 00:45:51.440 --> 00:45:51.860 to us, 00:45:52.139 --> 00:45:52.920 you receive 00:45:52.920 --> 00:45:53.239 us and 00:45:53.239 --> 00:45:53.819 you lavish 00:45:53.819 --> 00:45:54.340 your love 00:45:54.340 --> 00:45:56.380 upon us. 00:45:57.179 --> 00:45:57.960 We praise 00:45:57.960 --> 00:45:58.380 you Father 00:45:58.380 --> 00:45:59.360 for the 00:45:59.360 --> 00:45:59.639 greater 00:45:59.639 --> 00:46:00.119 priest, 00:46:01.380 --> 00:46:02.360 the greater 00:46:02.360 --> 00:46:02.920 husband that 00:46:02.920 --> 00:46:03.340 we have, 00:46:03.460 --> 00:46:04.079 Jesus Christ 00:46:04.079 --> 00:46:04.559 himself, 00:46:05.500 --> 00:46:05.819 and we 00:46:05.819 --> 00:46:06.199 thank you 00:46:06.199 --> 00:46:06.539 for how 00:46:06.539 --> 00:46:06.880 you do 00:46:06.880 --> 00:46:07.480 not abandon 00:46:07.480 --> 00:46:08.039 your people. 00:46:08.559 --> 00:46:08.960 You have 00:46:08.960 --> 00:46:09.440 a plan 00:46:09.440 --> 00:46:10.480 to redeem 00:46:10.480 --> 00:46:11.739 every soul 00:46:11.739 --> 00:46:12.579 that comes 00:46:12.579 --> 00:46:12.980 to you. 00:46:12.980 --> 00:46:14.260 I pray 00:46:14.260 --> 00:46:14.460 Lord, 00:46:14.519 --> 00:46:14.760 if there 00:46:14.760 --> 00:46:15.039 are those 00:46:15.039 --> 00:46:15.340 here who 00:46:15.340 --> 00:46:15.780 don't know 00:46:15.780 --> 00:46:15.920 you, 00:46:15.980 --> 00:46:16.199 that they 00:46:16.199 --> 00:46:16.659 will run 00:46:16.659 --> 00:46:17.000 to you 00:46:17.000 --> 00:46:17.320 today, 00:46:17.440 --> 00:46:17.659 Jesus. 00:46:18.500 --> 00:46:18.920 If there 00:46:18.920 --> 00:46:19.219 are those 00:46:19.219 --> 00:46:19.519 who have 00:46:19.519 --> 00:46:20.219 brought you 00:46:20.219 --> 00:46:20.599 lower, 00:46:20.840 --> 00:46:21.199 just a 00:46:21.199 --> 00:46:21.480 notch 00:46:21.480 --> 00:46:21.860 lower, 00:46:22.480 --> 00:46:22.760 that you 00:46:22.760 --> 00:46:23.340 will elevate 00:46:23.340 --> 00:46:24.059 yourself as 00:46:24.059 --> 00:46:25.320 sovereign God, 00:46:25.619 --> 00:46:26.260 the Lord of 00:46:26.260 --> 00:46:26.699 armies, 00:46:27.360 --> 00:46:27.940 that we can 00:46:27.940 --> 00:46:28.940 trust you 00:46:28.940 --> 00:46:29.579 are our 00:46:29.579 --> 00:46:30.000 portion, 00:46:30.519 --> 00:46:31.119 you are our 00:46:31.119 --> 00:46:31.440 shield, 00:46:31.840 --> 00:46:32.340 in you are 00:46:32.340 --> 00:46:33.000 we satisfied, 00:46:33.500 --> 00:46:34.000 and in you 00:46:34.000 --> 00:46:34.340 alone, 00:46:34.740 --> 00:46:35.440 we ask this 00:46:35.440 --> 00:46:36.119 for your 00:46:36.119 --> 00:46:36.699 glory in our 00:46:36.699 --> 00:46:37.059 lives. 00:46:37.480 --> 00:46:37.699 Amen.