We need a Hero

This weekend is all about heroes – American men and women who sacrificed their lives to protect the vulnerable.  We love heroes.  We write stories about them, and we sing about them.

Hannah was a woman in need of a hero.  Her story is found in 1 Samuel.  If you read verses 1-20, you’ll see that she’s a godly woman who is in a vulnerable position, in need of a hero.  As a woman without a son, she was in a dangerous position in her culture.  If her husband, Elkanah, died, she would have no one to care for her.  This was especially true in a time period where “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.”

So, who might step up to the challenge of being the hero in Hannah’s story?  Well, there was a woman in Hannah’s life…

Peninnah – The Thanksgiving Trasher

Peninnah was the rival wife of Elkanah.  You see, v. 2 tells us of the troubling situation – Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.  Hannah was most likely the first wife of Elkanah, but the Lord closed her womb, and so Elkanah set about finding a child-bearing wife.  This puts Peninnah in an awful spot.  Hannah obviously gets all the love and attention, while Peninnah gets to deliver children.  So, she naturally takes out her pain on Hannah.  She irritates and provokes her non-stop, especially at the annual holiday trip to Shiloh.  She is so good at her poking and prodding that she ruins Hannah’s appetite every year.

An interesting statement is made in v. 6.  It says that Peninnah would provoke Hannah because the Lord had closed her womb.  Be careful what you mock and belittle in someone else’s life.  You might find yourself mocking the very work of God in their life.

Well, Peninnah certainly isn’t going to stand up for Hannah, but there was a man in Hannah’s life…

Elkanah – The Huxtable Dad

You remember The Cosby Show right?  If not, here.  You’re welcome.  Dr. Huxtable was a great husband and father who occasionally put his foot in his mouth.  This is Elkanah.  He’s a godly dad who takes his family to worship God and learn about Him.  He keeps the Old Testament sacrifices.  He provides for his family.  He obviously loves Hannah, and even is in tune somewhat with her emotions.  He see she’s upset, and asks her, “Hannah, why are you crying? Why won’t you eat? Why are you troubled?”

Good man, Elkanah!  Way to look out for your wife.  You’ve taken an interest in her well-being and you’re seeking her comfort!  Should have stopped there!

He goes on, “Am I not better to you than 10 sons?”  Ya know, maybe he was even right, but it was the wrong time to be right!  Thankfully, there was a spiritual leader in Hannah’s life…

Eli – The Short-sighted Priest

Hannah’s had a rough day.  She’s pouring her heart out to God, in God’s temple, and here comes the priest, Eli, to save the day.  Wait, what did he say?  Sorry Hannah!  He thinks you’re sloppy drunk!  Instead of reaching out in love and concern for this obviously broken woman, Eli jumps to conclusions and condemns her instead.  Commentator Robert Bergen says Eli “was a man who watched lips instead of perceiving hearts.”

Folks, we have to be careful how we treat people.  You never know, you might be seeing someone on the worst day of their life.  Instead of sizing up someone’s appearance, putting them into one of our preconceived boxes, and declaring ourselves better, we can reach out in love and concern.

Thankfully, Hannah went straight to the only one who could truly help her in her time of need…

The Lord – The True Hero

God heard her prayer!  Hannah knew this, because she got up from that intense time of pouring out her soul to God and she was no longer sad.  The next day, she got up and worshiped the Lord, before the answer to the prayer came!  She found her comfort in God’s presence and listening ear, not just in getting what she asked for.  Hannah knew by the end of her prayer that God was her Hero and would provide for and protect her.

Today, in life after the Cross, Jesus is our True Hero.  He steps up to defend us.  In our natural state, we are absolutely vulnerable.  We are dead in our sin.  We are completely unable to help ourselves, and yet Jesus came and sacrificed Himself for us.  He defends the vulnerable, He protects the weak, He is our Hero!