Wicked While They Work (1 Samuel 2:12-21)

Some of you know how hard it is to navigate a toxic work environment. I’ll tell you where you didn’t want to work, and that was for the UK Post Office system between 1999 and 2015. In 1999 the post office switched from a paper-based accounting system to a computer-based one. One centralized computer program could now see the records for 14,000 post office branches.^[1] And guess what it found? Corrupt records. Missing money all over the place. Thousands of pounds gone. Clearly, the employees, the “sub-postmasters” had sticky hands in the till and would now be held accountable.

Over 900 were prosecuted.^[2] Year after year more were caught. Except they weren’t stealing. It was the new software that was the problem. The bosses knew it was full of bugs. But they silenced anyone who criticized the system. They lied to journalists and politicians who asked questions. Employees went into their own pockets to cover the shortfalls that did not actually exist. Thousands were impacted, imprisoned, or financially ruined.^[3] The scandal led to at least 13 suicides. It was 16 years of a toxic work environment, labeled as the “widest miscarriage of justice in UK history.”

In 1100BC, the Tabernacle was an extremely hostile work environment for little Samuel. For everyone else, it was a hostile worship environment. You see, the top brass – Eli’s two sons – not only had sticky fingers, they also vigorously attacked anyone who questioned them.

What are we supposed to do in a situation like that? When our leaders have become corrupt? When our institutions have broken down? When everyone does what is right in their own eyes?

Sadly, these situations are only limited to the wider society or even the work environment. It can even happen in the worship environment. Perhaps a friend or someone you know – maybe even a member of your own family has said, “I’m a Christian, but I won’t go to church. The Church is full of hypocrites. I got hurt at a church, so I’m done with the whole thing.”

How does faith work in a bad environment? Should we cut and run? Should we stand and fight? Let’s look at this text and see what Samuel and his parents did. Because, in this book, they are specifically, purposefully presented as faithful examples for us. In fact, throughout this chapter, our author keeps ping-ponging back and forth showing the faithfulness of Samuel, then the unfaithfulness of Eli and his sons.^[4] Every few verses it pans from one to the other to drive home the contrast and to show that a believer can not only be faithful in dark spiritual days, but we can serve God effectively and grow substantially as we walk by faith – in any environment we’re called into.

1 Samuel 2:12 – ¹² Eli’s sons were wicked men; they did not respect the LORD

As priests, Eli and his sons were the top of the authority chain. Other than God, there was no one higher to appeal to. This is one of the reasons why Israel would eventually demand a king, because the priesthood had become degraded and corrupted.^[5]

Eli’s sons are described as wicked men. They were “utterly destructive”^[6] good-for-nothings.^[7] Two interesting things here. First, the term used is, “Sons of Belial.” It means sons of worthlessness.^[8] And this is the exact same term Hannah had used when Eli accused her of being drunk. “No, my lord, don’t think of me as a wicked woman.” Eli assumed righteous Hannah is a daughter of Belial, which was the furthest thing from the truth. Meanwhile, his sons were openly, actively wicked. But Eli won’t deal with it. But it was his duty to do so. And so, God considers Eli complicit in their sins.^[9]

The other interesting thing is that second phrase: They did not respect the LORD. Literally it says they did not know Yahweh.^[10] Accomplishment, position, pedigree, power, talent – none of it matters in the long run if you do not know Yahweh.

God said in Jeremiah 9: “The wise person should not boast in his wisdom; the strong should not boast in his strength; the wealthy should not boast in his wealth. But the one who boasts should boast in this: that he understands and knows Me.”^[11] That is the great goal of life: To know God. Meanwhile, here’s some of what Eli’s sons were up to:

1 Samuel 2:13-16 – ¹³ or the priests’ share of the sacrifices from the people. When anyone offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come with a three-pronged meat fork while the meat was boiling ¹⁴ and plunge it into the container, kettle, cauldron, or cooking pot. The priest would claim for himself whatever the meat fork brought up. This is the way they treated all the Israelites who came there to Shiloh. ¹⁵ Even before the fat was burned, the priest’s servant would come and say to the one who was sacrificing, “Give the priest some meat to roast, because he won’t accept boiled meat from you—only raw.” ¹⁶ If that person said to him, “The fat must be burned first; then you can take whatever you want for yourself,” the servant would reply, “No, I insist that you hand it over right now. If you don’t, I’ll take it by force!”

During the UK Post Office scandal, the leaders of the post office used criminal and civil action to shut up any underlings who said the system was corrupt. When one sub-postmaster was accused for taking £35,000, he denied it and tried to prove the problems were in the software. So the post office spent £300,000 crushing him in court, leaving him bankrupt and his family devastated.

Under the Law of Moses, the priests and their families were given a specific share of the meat. The breast and the thigh were for them.^[12] But Eli’s sons wanted more. What they did was at quadruple wrong: They were taking parts that didn’t belong to them, they were taking raw meat, they were eating the fat, and they were threatening people if they didn’t go along with their wickedness.

This is so brazenly wrong. As an example, Leviticus 7 clearly, emphatically states: You can use the fat of an animal in any way but you must not eat it. And if you do eat any fat from an animal offered to the Lord, that person will be cut off from God’s people.^[13]

Notice, this wasn’t just something they did once or twice. Verse 14 says that this is the way they treated all the people who came to the Tabernacle – which would include Elkanah’s family.

This was extremely serious. They’re messing with worship. They’re messing with people’s atonement. God would not let this go on indefinitely. We’ll see that next time. But in the meantime, their hypocrisy was giving true faith a bad name in Israel.^[14]

When Christian leaders fall into sin, it makes a terrible impact not just on those immediately involved, but on just about everyone who hears about it. The dishonor it brings on Christ. The discouragement and doubt that it brings on others. Christian leaders need to take this seriously.

And so does every Christian. You and I may not have a wide audience, but we’re all priests. If you’re a Christian, the Bible says you are part a royal priesthood.^[15] We all must consider how our conduct is influencing the people around us. Your faithfulness or your wickedness will make an impact.

1 Samuel 2:17 – ¹⁷ So the servants’ sin was very severe in the presence of the LORD, because the men treated the LORD’s offering with contempt.

The Lord saw all that was happening. Remember what Hannah said in her song: God is a God of knowledge Who weighs our actions. Ultimately, He fiercely judges these fellows because they would not repent. It didn’t matter that they were important priests. If you deny the Lord, He will deny you and you will bear the penalty for your sin.

Now here’s an interesting comparison: In the middle of Second Samuel, David commits a terrible sin. And God will say to him, “David, you have treated Me with contempt.” It’s the same word that describes Eli’s sons. So why wasn’t David judged like Hophni and Phinehas? Repentance. David turned from his sin toward God in confession and repentance. He would still face consequences for what he did – serious and lasting consequences – but God forgave him and cleansed him.

1 Samuel 2:18 – ¹⁸ Samuel served in the LORD’s presence—this mere boy was dressed in the linen ephod.

Suddenly the camera pans from this toxic scene to remind us that little Sammy is there, too! We see what’s going on and think, “We gotta get this kid out of there!” What hope does he have to grow in the Lord and become a man of integrity if this is who he’s apprenticing under?

But then we remember the promise of Hannah’s song, that God will guard the steps of His faithful ones. This was a terribly, toxic work environment. And yet, this is where God called Samuel. And though he was surrounded by sin, we see him serving. He’s described not as being influenced by the sons of Eli, but as being in the Lord’s presence.

Maybe you’re in a life situation that has a lot of bad elements. Bad job, bad boss, problematic coworkers, something like that. You don’t always have to stay in that situation. But the thing we need to remember as Christians is that the circumstances are not the deciding factor for us. God’s calling on our lives is the decider. If you feel like Samuel in Shiloh or Daniel in Babylon or Joseph in Egypt, that’s ok – you’re allowed to feel that way. But before you make a change you need to know if God has called you to stay or go. Because you can be Samuel or Daniel or Joseph, who were in terrible life/work situations, and were used for incredible purposes and great spiritual growth.

Remember: We’re the Lord’s servants. Samuel served. He even looks the part. The ephod here was most likely an apron he would wear.^[16] It reminds us of how Jesus, on the night before His death, took a towel and tied it around Himself like an apron and washed His disciples feet. And afterward He said He did this as an example for us that we might go and do likewise.^[17]

The Christian life is a life of service, not convenience. And one of the things that Samuel’s life shows is that any of us can serve. That doesn’t mean all of us have the strength or health or opportunity to do every kind of service. But all of us are called to serve in the Lord’s presence, before His face, as He sets our lives aside for particular purposes. This term serving “suggests ongoing activity – something ingrained in Samuel’s lifestyle.”^[18] And it was ingrained in Hannah’s, too.

1 Samuel 2:19 – ¹⁹ Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice.

It would’ve been hard to leave your boy year after year. But think of much harder it would’ve been knowing that he was being raised by Eli with Hophni and Phinehas around! But Elkanah and Hannah knew the Lord is trustworthy. They knew He would not fail Samuel.

And notice: they kept coming, even though they’d have to deal with the things Eli’s sons were doing. They didn’t say, “Ok, we’re not going to Tabernacle anymore.” They had Joshua’s mentality: “This is what’s going on, it’s not right, but as for me and my house, we’re going to serve the Lord.”

And when they came each year, Hannah brought a new robe for Samuel. A cloak he would wear over the ephod.^[19] It probably felt like a small thing. They couldn’t do all the things they wished they could do for their son. But she could bring a robe. But you know – robes become very significant in Samuel’s story. There are going to be a couple of very pivotal moments which reference the robe he was wearing. I think it’s a nod of grace from the Lord to Hannah. Him using this small, tangible labor for a greater spiritual purpose. The Lord is generous like that. He’s good and kind like that.

1 Samuel 2:20 – ²⁰ Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife: “May the LORD give you children by this woman in place of the one she has given to the LORD.” Then they would go home.

Some part of Eli wants to honor God. Some part of him wants to be used by God. And clearly, God was willing to use him. But, he’s totally compromised. He won’t honor God in his parenting. He won’t do the hard parts of his duty. And so, his story is going to end tragically. It didn’t have to. But spiritual health doesn’t happen on accident. Finishing well doesn’t happen on its own. Christian growth requires obedience. It requires repentance. It requires submission.

1 Samuel 2:21 – ²¹ The LORD paid attention to Hannah’s need, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.

It’s been said you can’t out-give the Lord. He will never be in debt to anyone. They gave Him a son, He gave them five children back. Notice the words used here: He paid attention to them. He sees your needs. He cares about them. He’s a God of grace and affection.

Not only was the Lord mindful and caring toward Hannah, but toward to Samuel, too. Both are before His face. Both are watched by Him, loved by Him, provided for by Him.

Our goal is to live in the presence of the Lord our God. To commune day-by-day with Him. Whether we’re in a good tent, like Elkanah’s, or a bad tent like in Shiloh. Why? Psalm 130 tells us:

Psalm 130:7 – For there is faithful love with the LORD, and with Him is redemption in abundance.

That is true whether you’re Samuel in Shiloh or David in Jerusalem or Daniel in Babylon or Paul in Philippi or Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration or Noah in the ark or Jonah in the whale.

So what do we do if we find ourselves in a toxic environment? Well, there may be a bunch of things you can and should do on the physical level. What about on the spiritual level? That’s what this text examples for us. In a very bad spiritual situation, Samuel was right where he was called to be.

We need to figure out where we’re called. And if we’re called to a place where we have to rub elbows with toxic or wicked good-for-nothings, we can remember what we’re told in Romans 12:

Romans 12:21 – 21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

The good of the Gospel. The good of a life lived in the power of Jesus Christ. The good of faithfulness in action, knowing God can be trusted to do what needs doing. Maybe through us, maybe through someone else. But living as servants of His good, answering His call. They may be wicked while they work, we worship while we work. And if we’re following God’s leading and answer His call, we can rely on the fact that He will guard our steps and we can grow in Him even if the circumstances are bad. Then He can use us for His good.

King Song (1 Samuel 2:1-11)

The right song can really set the tone. Particularly in movies, where the music not only compliments the imagery, but often steers us to how we’re supposed to feel about what we’re watching. Music helps us understand whether the action is scary or silly, whether a character is acting in anxiety or excitement, or if a scene is meant to be pivotal as the soundtrack replays the main theme.

Hans Zimmer is one of the most famous film composers working today, often scoring Christopher Nolan’s movies. He once told a story of how Nolan sent him a letter which contained a short, metaphorical story that had nothing to do with any movie script. Nolan asked Zimmer to take a day, write whatever came to him, and then Nolan would come over and listen.

Hans wrote what he described as a fragile little piece of music. Very personal and tender. After hearing it, Nolan said, “Well, I better make the movie then.” Zimmer asked what is the movie? And Nolan started describing a huge, sweeping space epic. The music would be for Interstellar, and hearing Zimmer’s personal melody, Nolan said, “I know where the heart of the movie is now.”^[1]

In 1 Samuel chapter 1, we have a prologue. It sets the stage and tells us where Samuel came from. He is going to be the man God uses to transition Israel from judges to monarchy. But he also establishes how this arrangement will work. That, yes, Israel will have a king, but any king is really just a vice-king under the King of the universe – the Lord of Armies, God Himself.

In chapter 2 we have the Song of Hannah. It’s not only a nice moment of praise and thanksgiving. This song is going to set the tone for the book. It provides the theological heart for the story and foreshadows many of the scenes that lay ahead. By the way – for any classical music lovers out there – scholars categorize this song as a Rondo.^[2]

Our author starts the book with a prologue followed by Hannah’s song, and then he ends the book with David’s song and an epilogue. Hannah’s song describes Who God is, what He does, and what He will do. David’s song is about how God has been faithful to do all those things.^[3] These are the theological soundtrack for the rest of the book.

The themes Hannah drives home are that God is in charge, He is personally involved in human affairs, and He is interested in you walking with Him through life so that He can lift you up.

1 Samuel 2:1 – ¹ Hannah prayed: My heart rejoices in the LORD; my horn is lifted up by the LORD. My mouth boasts over my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.

There are many points in the Bible where God’s people pause to sing a song after He has done a work for them. Moses, Miriam, Deborah, David, Habakkuk, and Mary are all examples. In fact Mary’s song in Luke 1 echoes some of the words and themes of Hannah’s song.^[4] Both Mary and Hannah understood that not only were they loved and graciously treated by God, but that their lives were part of His ongoing, dramatic work that will one day cover the whole earth.

The same is true of our lives! That’s something to be excited about. Something to sing about. To let our hearts overflow with thankfulness as we sing out the testimony of God’s amazing grace. That we once were lost but now we’re found. That He has done great things and He will do great things.

Hannah rejoiced. Not just because she wouldn’t be called childless anymore. She rejoiced in the LORD. In His salvation. Her relationship with God is what made the difference between chapter 1 and 2. In chapter 1 she said her heart was broken. Now her heart is triumphant! She’s thankful that the Lord opened her womb, of course, but she’s also thankful that the Lord lifted her head.

God is a lifter. Psalm 3 says He is a God Who hears and answers and will lift up your head. When you’re hurt, when you’re overwhelmed, when you’re beaten down, Jesus is the lifter of your head.

Is Hannah being rude back to Penninah in that second to last line? One commentator says the image connotes “sticking out the tongue, and sneering.”^[5] I can’t really imagine Hannah doing that. Plus, in a moment she’s going to tell everyone to not boast proudly.

The words she used mean her mouth was open wide to swallow up her enemies.^[6] And what is her mouth full of right now? Praise. Thanksgiving. Prayer. Confidence in the Lord. Praise is powerful!

1 Samuel 2:2 – ² There is no one holy like the LORD. There is no one besides you! And there is no rock like our God.

If you want to know about God, here’s the place to start: His greatness and purity and uniqueness on display. Greater in each of HIs attributes than we can comprehend. How strong is He? Greater than we think. How merciful is He? Greater than we realize. How good is He? How great is His love?

This description of God as Rock reminds us of the parable Jesus told. The wise man built his house, his life, his future, upon the Rock. All other ground is sinking sand. As Deuteronomy 32 says, “Their ‘rock’ is not like our Rock.”^[7] And not only is He the solid foundation we can build our lives upon, we remember that He is the rock of our salvation.^[8] The Rock of ages, cleft for me.

1 Samuel 2:3 – ³ Do not boast so proudly, or let arrogant words come out of your mouth, for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and actions are weighed by him.

Our God is a God of knowledge. He knows us. He knows the plans He has for us. He knows what we need and what we don’t. He knows how to lead us. He knows the way to go. He knit us together, He sustains our lives, and He wants real relationship with us. So He also evaluates and measures our lives. Are we following? Do our actions line up with what He desires?

Hannah tells us to not be boastful or arrogant. In the coming verses she will list a bunch of things that people naturally lean on or get proud about and she shows how fleeting they are. Meanwhile, if we want to boast, let’s be like Hannah. Let’s boast in the Lord our God.^[9] Let’s proclaim His power and accomplishment in our lives and in this world.

1 Samuel 2:4-7 – ⁴ The bows of the warriors are broken, but the feeble are clothed with strength. ⁵ Those who are full hire themselves out for food, but those who are starving hunger no more. The woman who is childless gives birth to seven, but the woman with many sons pines away. ⁶ The LORD brings death and gives life; he sends some down to Sheol, and he raises others up. ⁷ The LORD brings poverty and gives wealth; he humbles and he exalts.

Hannah lists for us seven contrasts and how the Lord reverses the fortunes of people in these different groups according to His purposes. Strong and weak, full and hungry, barren and fertile, dead and alive, sick and well, poor and rich, humble and exalted. God is in charge over all.

In some of these examples, Hannah actually foreshadows some of what we’ll see in the pages ahead. People of strength and wealth and position brought down while others who are oppressed or weak or humble are exalted.

Now, it would be a mistake if we think God does these reversals just to show how strong He is. It’s not just about flexing His sovereignty. Who does God exalt and who does He bring low? Hannah will tell us in verse 9. Psalms, Proverbs, James, and Peter all explain, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” It’s not random or arbitrary. Remember – God wants to lift your head.

He wants to make us alive. Here’s what He wants, as written in Isaiah 55: “Come, everyone who is thirsty. Pay attention and come to Me, listen so that you will live!”^[10] That’s what He wants. That we will receive His hesed love and live. He’s not toying with us. He’s telling us how to receive life. But when a person rejects God’s way and God’s revelation and commands, the result is death.

1 Samuel 2:8 – ⁸ He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the trash heap. He seats them with noblemen and gives them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s; he has set the world on them.

The poor and needy are shown in the worst possible position. The trash heap means a dung hill.^[11] That was where they lived. Where they slept at night. What has the Lord done for them? He gives them a throne of honor. He seats them among princes.^[12]

We were the beggars, now we’re royalty. Not because of our own power or our own loveliness, but because of God’s great love for us. His salvation is not just a rags to riches story, it’s an excrement to eternity story. “Gives them a throne of honor” is also translated “inherit the throne of glory.”^[13]

Oh the grace of God! That we, who are nothing, who began life as enemies of God, lost in sin, citizens of the kingdom of darkness, who bring nothing to the table but guilt and failure, would be given a place and a part in the Kingdom of Jesus. Not just to dwell there, but to reign with Him!^[14]

That’s our future. Meanwhile, we can be confident that God will not allow this world to fall apart before His plan is done. There are people out there today saying the world is going to end. That climate change or atomic war or some other threat will destroy us all. Many young people are convinced that there is no future for this world. Here’s what God says is Psalm 75:

Psalm 75:3 – ³ When the earth and all its inhabitants shake, I am the one who steadies its pillars.

Yes, the world trembles. Our God is a Rock. Stable, reliable, unshakable. A firm foundation. If you build your life on Him, then you will be safe in the storm. His plan cannot fail.

1 Samuel 2:9 – ⁹ He guards the steps of his faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness, for a person does not prevail by his own strength.

We talked about this a few weeks ago, but remember: The faithful ones are simply those who receive God’s love. They believe and trust God and walk with Him. Does that describe you?

In the closing song of 2 Samuel, sung by David, David says that he was faithful. That he let God’s ordinances guide his steps. Of course, we look at that and say, “What about Bathsheba? What about your ungodly census? What about the mistakes you made?” David did make mistakes. But even still, God was with him and God was guarding David’s steps – guarding his life. God’s grace working powerfully even when David fell into faithlessness for a time.

No believer’s life is perfect. But God keeps watch and God pours out His grace and God provides His strength as we walk with Him. You see, we can’t accomplish the Christian life in our own strength. That’s not how we prevail. It’s not by our might or by our power, but by God’s Spirit.

As we allow God’s ordinances to guide our steps, the Lord guards our steps. Though a believer may fall, Psalm 37 (another David song) promises that we will not be overwhelmed, because the LORD supports us with His hand.^[15] Our part is to put God’s instructions in our hearts so that our step do not falter. And, when we do fail, to turn in repentance so God can restore us. That’s the difference between Saul and David. Not perfection, but faithfulness.

1 Samuel 2:10 – ¹⁰ Those who oppose the LORD will be shattered; he will thunder in the heavens against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. He will give power to his king; he will lift up the horn of his anointed.

As usual, the Bible sets before us life and death. If you will receive God’s love by faith, He gives you life. If you oppose the Lord, you will be shattered. It’s the same verb Hannah used up in verse 4 saying the bows would be broken. Not just broken, but crushed into tiny pieces.^[16]

God uses this image of the broken bow multiple times. Ezekiel prophesied that Gog’s bow would be broken. Jeremiah prophesied that Elam’s bow would be shattered. But this promise is not just for far off people who we don’t know. All who oppose Him will be shattered. It even applied to Israel. Sadly, by the time of Hosea, the Israelites had opposed the Lord for so long, He finally said, “I’m going to break the bow of Israel.”^[17] And it happened.

But look at those last two lines. Hannah ends her song with a crescendo. She identifies two figures who had yet to arrive. The king and the anointed one. In Hebrew, the melek and the messiah. Hannah moves from praise to prophecy. Israel had not yet demanded a king, yet Hannah declares that one was coming and that God would give him power. This, by itself is a great work of grace. Because when Israel demanded a king they were, in one sense, divorcing themselves from God’s rule over their nation. And yet, the Lord would not abandon them. He gave a king. He empowered the king. And when that king failed, God provided a better king.

But more than a king would be needed. God’s people and all people would need a Messiah. The Anointed One, the Christ. A deliverer. And in this book we will see how David on his very best day was only a dim shadow of what the Son of David is yesterday, today, and forever.

1 Samuel 2:11 – ¹¹ Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy served the LORD in the presence of the priest Eli.

When Christopher Nolan sent the letter to Hans Zimmer, it contained a short little metaphor about what it meant to be a father. And Zimmer’s piece, he says, was based on his own love for his son.

This great song, this great story, is about a loving God, God the Father, showing faithfulness and love to His children, even when they turn their backs on Him.

So now, the stage is set. The melody has played. Now we watch it all unfold and see the power of God, the graciousness of God, the patience of God, compared to the feebleness of man, the failure of man, the inconsistency of man. But at the same time, we’ll see the story of God using human beings for His good work. Empowering people to be a meaningful part of what He’s promised. It’s an amazing story – one that continues through the lives of believers today.

As we close, I’d like us to return briefly to those reversal verses, verses 4 through 7, where we see God doing these specific things. We might ask, “Does He really do this still today?” Does He clothe us in strength? Then we remember how Ephesians 6 invites us to clothe ourselves in the armor of God so that we will be strong, able to stand against every scheme of the devil.

Does God still fill the hungry? Jesus said that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. That those who come to Jesus, the Bread of Life, will never be hungry.

Does He give children to the childless? Whether you have been blessed with physical children or not, God says that in the Church we receive a hundred-fold family. Brothers, sisters, mothers, and children.^[18]

Does He make us rich? Paul says in Ephesians 3 we have been given incalculable riches in Christ.

The God of the Bible is a God of faithful, generous activity toward those who will be faithful to Him. Those who trust Him and walk according to His ways. Those are the people who are loved and lifted by the power of God, Who will never fail.

Bye, Bye Baby (1 Samuel 1:19-28)

Hollywood loves to fawn over method actors. It’s when an actor fully takes on the behavior and mentality of a character they’ve been cast to play until the production has finished. Even when the cameras aren’t rolling, they will demand people refer to them by the character’s name. They will use the character’s voice. They will act not as themselves, but as the part they’re playing.

Daniel Day-Lewis is notorious for method acting. On Gangs Of New York he developed pneumonia because he wouldn’t wear modern clothing for warmth between takes.^[1] On The Crucible, he refused to bathe.^[2] On Last Of The Mohicans he wouldn’t eat anything he didn’t hunt himself.

But it was his 1989 role on stage as Hamlet that stands out the most. One night, after Act 1, Scene 5, Day-Lewis walked off stage and collapsed in sorrow and exhaustion and refused to go back out. He claimed he hallucinated the ghost of his father and had been dialoguing with him for weeks.

Why does he keep method acting? He says, “I most enjoy the loss of self.”^[3] I would argue his antics are the absolute glorification of self.

Why talk about method acting? Well, when reading this text I was thinking about a person fully devoting themselves to a role. You see, Hannah had gone to the Lord and poured out her heart. She recognizes God as the the King of the universe, the Director of life. And then she describes herself as the Lord’s servant. Not as an aristocrat’s wife. But as a trusting maidservant, ready to be directed and asking Her Master to give her an additional role as mother to a son.

She promised that, if she got the role, she would totally dedicate herself. That she would willingly, joyfully, return this boy to the Lord and that he would live all his days as a Nazarite in God’s service.

Today she gets the part. We watch the lengths she goes to performing this role. Never flinching. Carrying out her devotion to the Lord, no matter what it required. She lived the part God gave her.

1 Samuel 1:19 – ¹⁹ The next morning Elkanah and Hannah got up early to worship before the LORD. Afterward, they returned home to Ramah. Then Elkanah was intimate with his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her.

This family wasn’t perfect, but this is a faithful and Godly family. Every year they came to Shiloh to worship God. While there, they’re up early to participate in the daily morning sacrifice.^[4] That wasn’t specifically required of regular people. Yet here they are, together in worship.

In fact, our text begins and ends with worship. They lived life as worshippers. Not just in the ritualistic sense. Theirs was a lifestyle of worship in their choices, their activities, their relationships, and, yes, their schedule. It was part of the regular family calendar.

“[They] got up early to worship the LORD.” Look at chapter 1 and note how many times you can see that name in all caps. It’s the name Yahweh. 12 times in 10 verses today. He is the focus. He was the focus of Hannah’s life and Elkanah’s life. In their minds, on their lips, directing their activities.

The name Yahweh is interesting to study. We’re not sure how it’s pronounced. Scholars believe in Moses’ day the Name would’ve been four syllables, not two.^[5] The name “connotes God’s nearness, His concern for man, and the revelation of His redemptive covenant.”^[6] That Name, that glorious and fearful Name, is all over these verses. His house. His presence. His power. His kindness.

We’re told He remembered Hannah. It’s not that He forgot – the Lord can never forget you. In the Old Testament, to “remember” means to act on their behalf.^[7] How did the Lord act for Hannah? First of all, He went home with them! They go home and there is the Lord right inside their tent with the family. He acts in their regular life experience.

God doesn’t only want involvement with you during prayer times or during Sunday mornings. His overt desire is to involve Himself in every aspect and phase of your life. He wants to nourish and bless your whole life, from the most intimate aspects all the way out to your ultimate legacy.

When Moses asked God about His name in Exodus 3, His response was essentially, “I Am present is what I Am.”^[8] The LORD is present with you, today. Remembering you and acting on your behalf.

1 Samuel 1:20 – ²⁰ After some time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, because she said, “I requested him from the LORD.”

Samuel is a normal name to us, but scholars say that Hannah used wordplay here – maybe even an acrostic.^[9] The name can mean “He who is from God,”^[10] “Offspring of God,”^[11] “Asked from God.”^[12]

Hannah knows this baby is not a coincidence. He is living, breathing proof that God remembers His people. He remembered Noah in the flood. He remembered Abraham when He destroyed Sodom. He remembered Rachel and gave her Joseph.^[13] He remembers His covenant forever.^[14]

1 Samuel 1:21-22 – ²¹ When Elkanah and all his household went up to make the annual sacrifice and his vow offering to the LORD, ²² Hannah did not go and explained to her husband, “After the child is weaned, I’ll take him to appear in the LORD’s presence and to stay there permanently.”

After Daniel Day-Lewis left the stage that night playing Hamlet, he quit the show. He broke his contract. Despite the responsibilities he had to the production, despite his agreement with the producers, he was done. In fact, he never returned to acting on the stage again.

What about Hannah? The boy she asked for had been born. Is she reneging on her promise? The answer is no. There’s no hesitation or procrastination here. A little one needed to be nursed and delivering an infant to Old Eli was not a wise or realistic course of action.

And it wasn’t a problem that she didn’t attend the annual festival. Under the Mosaic Law, women were not commanded to go each year – men were.^[15]

So, she would wait. But already we can sense just how commited she would have to be. Who here would give up their child? Hannah, of course, loves her boy. Where we read “child” she used a tender term. Typically it would be used of young men in the height of their powers, but mothers would also use it of baby boys.^[16] Something like, “the Little Man,” or, “the Big Guy.”

We can imagine the love and affection radiating from Hannah as she holds Samuel in her arms. But she said, “I’m going to take him to appear before the Lord’s face.”^[17] That’s what she literally said.

I cannot imagine what her mother’s heart felt at the prospect of handing over her precious baby boy after only a few short years. But it is clear, her servant’s heart was full of faith, knowing that while Samuel was lit by the shining face of Yahweh, he would be safe and he would be loved.

1 Samuel 1:23 – ²³ Her husband, Elkanah, replied, “Do what you think is best, and stay here until you’ve weaned him. May the LORD confirm your word.” So Hannah stayed there and nursed her son until she weaned him.

Mothers of the time typically weaned at three years of age.^[18] Not a long time to have a child in the house. But long enough to be tempting to forget a vow made to the Lord. Notice – Elkanah doesn’t scold his wife or shoot her down. He’s starting to live with her in understanding. But as he gives her personal encouragement, he also encourages her to be sure to keep her word to the Lord.

After the Hamlet debacle, Daniel Day-Lewis’ doctor told him to quit, so he did.^[19] Elkanah takes their vows seriously. Under the Law, when a husband heard a wife make a vow, if he didn’t veto it, he was responsible for it, too.^[20] But we see here he trusts his wife. They’re partners together in this vow to the Lord. But he does a great job here leading his family spiritually, with grace and integrity.

Manuscripts are divided here. Some say, “May the Lord establish your word,” meaning Hannah. Others, “May the Lord establish His word.” Each gives us something to think about. We have duties and responsibilities to the Lord. We’ve promised our lives to Him. At the same time, He has a word for our lives. A plan and a will for us. Promises that He keeps every day as we walk with Him.

In other words, we don’t just interact with God because we want things from Him. We recognize He wants things for us and from us. A life for us to live according to His direction.

1 Samuel 1:24-25 – ²⁴ When she had weaned him, she took him with her to Shiloh, as well as a three-year-old bull, half a bushel of flour, and a clay jar of wine. Though the boy was still young, she took him to the LORD’s house at Shiloh. ²⁵ Then they slaughtered the bull and brought the boy to Eli.

This family was clearly sincere in their worship. We’ve seen they scheduled their worship. But here, we see how their worship was sacrificial. To offer your child to the Lord’s service is something beyond costly. But then, on top of that, they gave a lavish gift to the Lord’s house.

Where it says there a three-year-old bull, many scholars believe it actually means three bulls.^[21] And the amount of flour and wine is also three times the normal amount.^[22] Why would they do this? Well, clearly this family believes in worshiping God with heart and word and calendar and wallet.

Now listen: If you don’t give Christ your heart, He doesn’t want your bulls. With that said, if you’re a Christian, you are commanded to give of your resources to God’s work. The New Testament does not tell you the amount you have to give or where you have to give. Instead, it gives the principles that our giving should be regular, cheerful, and sacrificial.^[23] All three are exampled by this family.

Let me pause to say that we are so thankful to anyone who has ever or continues to donate to our church. That’s how we’re able to do the things we do. And for those of you who give to other ministries, we are thankful for you, too. It’s between you and the Lord how you contribute to His work on the earth. On our side, we try hard to never coerce people to give. Opportunity, yes, but never pressure. Because we’re commanded to not compel people or strong-arm them or shake people down. That’s why we don’t pass a bag. That’s why we don’t put up thermometers.

But back to our text – I believe there’s another reason why they brought a triple sacrifice to the Tabernacle that day. It’s likely Samuel was three years old, meaning Hannah had sat out of the family trip three times. And now, here they are, giving a triple offering. Why? Because this family took their vows, their devotion, their worship seriously. They didn’t just show up when they felt like it or tack on worship when it was convenient. They oriented their lives around worshiping God.

You know, Daniel Day-Lewis speaks about how much he loves the process of “loss of self.” But it’s always at the cost of others. While filming My Left Foot, he refused to leave his wheelchair and made crew members lift him over equipment to move him from place to place. He also demanded they spoon-feed him, as his character was unable to move his arms.^[24] People talk about his dedication and sacrifice, but it’s those around him who have to foot the bill. Not Elkanah and Hannah. They have a sincere, steadfast, sacrificial worship that focuses not on self, but on Yahweh.

1 Samuel 1:26-28 – ²⁶ “Please, my lord,” she said, “as surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. ²⁷ I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD gave me what I asked him for, ²⁸ I now give the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is given to the LORD.” Then he worshiped the LORD there.

This must’ve been a hard day for Hannah, but when it came she didn’t flinch. She gave testimony of God’s faithfulness. And notice, even when she references herself, it’s not about her righteousness or her greatness. It’s all about the Lord. She uses Yahweh’s name four times in three sentences. A simple testimony, but so powerful. An Old Testament equivalent of “I was blind but now I see.”

Daniel Day-Lewis is often asked about his Hamlet crash out. In one interview he said, “I lived with the part for eight months…I was beyond caring.”^[25] So he quit and never looked back. He had 8 months of commitment and no more.

Hannah was dedicated to her role as servant. She was still dedicated in her role as mother. Both were anchored in worship. Both were the true loss of self for the glory of God. Full commitment.

Hannah had been despondent, heart-broken, not eating. Now, she’s healthy, she’s full of deep contentment and joy, difficult though this part to play was. But Samuel would not only be a relief to Hannah. We’ll find out soon enough that the whole nation needed relief from the terrible wickedness of Eli’s two sons. And what has God done? He has orchestrated events so that Samuel is brought to the Tabernacle. Here’s relief, in toddler form. It would take a few years, but Samuel would grow, and God would be with him. And eventually, by God’s power and providence, the prdators Hophni and Phineas would be replaced by the prophet Samuel. God remembered Hannah, but He remembered Israel’s need, too. And used the lives of His people to play these parts not just for entertainment, but for edification.

God remembers you. He has a plan for your life. Do you know what it is? Are you walking in it? Is your life anchored in the worship of God? Not just something that you do if it’s easy or convenient, but like the pattern seen here? Worship that is sincere, scheduled, sacrificial, steadfast and selfless?

We are called to act as God’s servants. Not that we’re faking or pretending, but a faith in action. Enacting God’s stage directions in our lives. We called to leave our old character behind and take on the character of Jesus – dying to self and conforming to His image.

To do so requires devotion. To love the God Who loves us with all our heart, all our souls, all our minds, all our strength. In that sense, to never break character, but to be truly transformed into the character of Jesus and to live out the parts He has given us to play not for the fleeting glory of the stage, but the eternal glory of our Savior.

Squall In The Family (1 Samuel 1:1-18)

Who is in charge here?!? That’s usually a question that gets asked when things have gone wrong. In 1100 BC Israel,^[1] things had gone very wrong.

It was the time of the Judges. A time defined by moral and political chaos. One of the darkest eras of Israel’s history.^[2] Some of those closing chapters of Judges are hard to stomach because of how ruined society had become, not only outside of Israel, but among God’s people.

1100 BC was also a time of historic transition. The world was transforming. The Late Bronze age was ending and the Early Iron Age began. New iron technologies were influencing every phase of life. In Canaan, societies were changing from city-states to united monarchies. The “great” empires of Egypt or the Hittites no longer dominated. Instead, it was a time of many smaller kingdoms.^[3]

These trends would ultimately drive God’s people to demand a king of their own. They thought that would not only make them more respectable in the eyes of the peoples around them, but surely a king would bring some stability, some sanity to the chaos. Remember the closing verse of Judges: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever seemed right to him.”^[4] There was no Moses or Joshua to lead the people. The judges had been sporadic and geographically limited. In the end, they failed to unite the people. If only a king would save us!

Into that setting comes the book of Samuel, which gives the history of how Israel went from Theocracy to Monarchy. But of course, the history books of the Bible aren’t only meant to give us history. They are given to teach us theology. To show us the character and nature and faithfulness and grace of God. To illustrate truths that are explained more directly in other parts of the Bible.^[5]

Now, I said the “book of Samuel” on purpose. What we call First and Second Samuel are one single book. The issue was, when the Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek in the 3rd century BC, they used these standard-sized scrolls and one scroll wasn’t enough for the whole thing. And so they broke it up into two parts.^[6] So, I’ll go with what we’re used to and refer to the two books.

They introduce us to three main characters: Samuel, Saul, and David. But through their stories they teach us major spiritual principles about what happens to our institutions and societies when our leaders will not submit to God. About what happens to our own lives and families when we trust God or when we doubt Him. Through these three lives we learn the biggest point of the book: Who is king? Who is in charge? Who is really ruling and reigning over our lives?

Now who wrote Samuel? Samuel dies halfway through the book. The truth is, we don’t know. The book is anonymous. It’s not named Samuel because he’s the author, but because of how prominent he was in this transition period. He is the last judge and is then used by God to be the kingmaker.

One theory of authorship is that Samuel wrote portions and the rest were finished by the prophets Nathan and Gad.^[7] Another theory is that the book was compiled later by King Josiah.^[8]

Based off internal clues, it seems it must’ve been written before the exile to Babylon.^[9] Interesting bit of trivia: the oldest of the Dead Sea Scrolls found thus far contain portions of Samuel.^[10]

So we’ve got upheaval and major political change. Imagine if America transitioned to a monarchy in the next few years! We’ve got a book full of intrigue and battles, giants and betrayal and the establishment of the greatest kingly dynasty in the history of mankind. It’s a big story. So how does the book start? With a tender telling of a broken-hearted woman from the hill country of Ephraim.

1 Samuel 1:1-3 – ¹ There was a man from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. His name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. ² He had two wives, the first named Hannah and the second Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah was childless. ³ This man would go up from his town every year to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of Armies at Shiloh, where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were the LORD’s priests.

Some introductions are in order. In fact, the book presents us with seven people and, as it does, gives some important foreshadowing.

The first is Elkanah. Based off his lineage, his household, and his ability to travel every year, there’s good reason to believe he was a wealthy member of the aristocracy.^[11] But we also learn he was a faithful believer. In a time when people did what was right in their own eyes, he went year after year to Shiloh to worship God. Shiloh was about 20 miles north of Jerusalem and was the headquarters both politically and religiously since the time of Joshua.^[12] That’s where the Tabernacle was set up.

Next, we have his two wives. Hannah was the first and, we’ll see, the love of Elkanah’s life. But in that time and culture you must perpetuate the family line through male children. And so, Elkanah eventually took a second wife, named Peninnah. Not a very pleasant lady, we’ll see.

We’re also introduced to Eli and his two sons. They will figure very prominently in the coming passages. And already we get a clue that something is not quite right. Our author says, “this was during the time when these two guys were priests.” And both of their names are Egyptian names.^[13] So we make a note that something is up. All is not well in the family of Eli.

The seventh Person we’re introduced to is God Himself. Notice the name: The LORD of Armies. Your version may have The LORD of Hosts. This is the very first use of this name for God in the Bible.^[14] Why? Because what is Samuel all about? Israel demanding a king. The establishment of the monarchy. And right from the start the Bible wants to remind us that God is King. He is not the King of a single city-state or the King of a single nation or even the King of an empire. He is the King of kings. He sits enthroned over Israel’s armies, over the hosts of heaven, over all heavenly creatures, over all creation, enthroned forever between the cherubim. Heaven is His throne and earth is His footstool. And our part is to bow to Him as King because He is our King, as well.

Now, seeing an Israelite family with two wives, one who is unable to have children, should immediately grab our interest. This is how many important, dramatic, glorious stories begin in the Old Testament. Abraham and Sarah. Isaac and Rebekah. Jacob and Rachel. Samson’s parents. As readers, anticipation should start building immediately.

It’s easy for us to read the story. It was much harder to live it. Hannah’s story begins with many years of intense heartache. Perhaps you’re facing heartache today. The Lord sees and He knows and He loves you. All of us can be encouraged by the fact that, as one commentator notes, “God’s tendency is to make our total inability His starting point.”^[15]

1 Samuel 1:4-8 – ⁴ Whenever Elkanah offered a sacrifice, he always gave portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to each of her sons and daughters. ⁵ But he gave a double portion to Hannah, for he loved her even though the LORD had kept her from conceiving. ⁶ Her rival would taunt her severely just to provoke her, because the LORD had kept Hannah from conceiving. ⁷ Year after year, when she went up to the LORD’s house, her rival taunted her in this way. Hannah would weep and would not eat. ⁸ “Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband, Elkanah, would ask. “Why won’t you eat? Why are you troubled? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”

It’s hard for some of us to imagine such a bad family dynamic. For others, you know the hurt of having an enemy in your own home. These were long and difficult days for poor Hannah.

I’d like to make a quick aside here: Sometimes we wonder why it seems like God was ok with polygamy in the Old Testament. The truth is, He wasn’t. It was never what He wanted. He gave a clear pattern and boundary in Genesis. Polygamy is never shown in a positive light in the Bible. Far from it. It always brings problems and pain. God is merciful and forgiving, but He did not want it.

Let’s bring it up to date. We don’t really deal with polygamy, though things like that are becoming more normalized in our godless culture. But listen – God’s sexual ethic is not prudish or stifling. It is good. If you want fulfillment relationally and sexually, follow God’s design.

But back to our text – Hannah is struggling. Years of struggle. Peninnah would go out of her way to actively hurt her feelings and taunt her and belittle her.

Obviously she was not a nice lady, but she was probably jealous herself. The words there indicate Hannah was the one true object of Elkanah’s love.^[16] But that doesn’t excuse Peninnah’s behavior.

For his part, Elkanah tried to comfort his wife, but he really didn’t do a good job. He acted like the stereotypical man. He gives Hannah a huge portion of food but she can’t eat all of that. It only highlights that she has no kids to eat it with. He says, “Aren’t I enough for you?” Actually, the words he said could be translated, “Don’t I treat you as if you had 10 sons?”^[17] So, he tried to make her feel better, but clearly he did not understand his wife. And he seemed to allow this family dysfunction.

The big question is: Why did God do this to Hannah? Our author clearly assigns responsibility to the Lord twice.

We know why it happened to Hannah and how it’s going to turn out so good. But we don’t always know why God allows hard things in our lives. But remember the promise: God, Who loves us, will work all things together for the good. That doesn’t always mean relief from barrenness or healing from sickness or removal of suffering. Sometimes God asks us to walk through very hard things. But He sees and knows. He has grace and mercy for you in any day of difficulty or decade of difficulty.

1 Samuel 1:9-11 – ⁹ On one occasion, Hannah got up after they ate and drank at Shiloh. The priest Eli was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the LORD’s temple. ¹⁰ Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. ¹¹ Making a vow, she pleaded, “LORD of Armies, if you will take notice of your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give your servant a son, I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut.”

In her pain, in her ongoing distress, where did Hannah go? She went to the Lord. She knew God had allowed this in her life, she’s overwhelmed with sadness, but she did not curse God. She did not reject Him. She leaves the feast and chooses faith. She chooses relationship with God. Pleading, yes. Questions, yes. Sorrow, yes. But through the tears she says, “You are the Lord of Armies and I am Your servant.” She did not know if He would grant her request, but she knew He would hear her.

And in her plea we see her dive deeper into the ways of God. “Give me a son and he will live as a Nazarite.” Could it be that she found hope in the Samson story? After all, Samson’s mother had been childless many years, too. But what happened? The Lord intervened. But here Hannah doesn’t just ask to be like Samson’s mom, she promises that her son would do what Samson would not. “His hair will never be cut.” Her son would be faithful where Samson had been faithless.

If you are sorrowing today, you do not have to hide it from the Lord. He hears the sound of your weeping.^[18] He puts your tears in His bottle.^[19] He can be trusted to love you and comfort you.

1 Samuel 1:12-14 – ¹² While she continued praying in the LORD’s presence, Eli watched her mouth. ¹³ Hannah was praying silently, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli thought she was drunk ¹⁴ and said to her, “How long are you going to be drunk? Get rid of your wine!”

Poor Hannah! She is just so misunderstood by the people around her. Here’s Eli – the spiritual leader of Israel – condemning her as a wicked and worthless woman.

Why in the world would Eli jump to this conclusion? Well, maybe the Tabernacle had a regular stream of drunkards coming in. That sort of corruption was certainly the norm for his own sons who were defiling the Lord’s House every day. But this scene really reveals a lot about Eli.

Notice: Hannah didn’t go to him for prayer or to get an oracle from God. She bypassed him altogether. As faithful believers, she and Elkanah would not have thought very highly of Eli. And his reaction here reveals that he couldn’t recognize true piety when he saw it.^[20]

1 Samuel 1:15-18 – ¹⁵ “No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman with a broken heart. I haven’t had any wine or beer; I’ve been pouring out my heart before the LORD. ¹⁶ Don’t think of me as a wicked woman; I’ve been praying from the depth of my anguish and resentment.”

¹⁷ Eli responded, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the request you’ve made of him.” ¹⁸ “May your servant find favor with you,” she replied. Then Hannah went on her way; she ate and no longer looked despondent.

Hope is kindled! Hannah’s deep sorrow has been replaced by a deep confidence in the Lord. Her situation is the same but now she has a promise. And she knows that God’s grace changes things.

She says, “May your servant find favor.” It’s interesting: Her name means “Gracious woman,”^[21] or, “Favor with God.”^[22] And her prayer is that God would work His grace in her life. That she would become who she was created to be. That her life would be defined and overflowing with grace.

And it wasn’t an empty hope. It wasn’t just a placebo. In verse 8, she was so upset she couldn’t eat. Now in verse 18 she’s eating. She’s feasting with the family – yes, even Peninnah. God has done a work of grace in her heart despite the difficulties of her situation.

It’s a beautiful start to a monumental book. But we have to ask, why start with Hannah and Samuel instead of David’s mom? Or maybe pick up with Ruth and carry on the story?

Because Samuel is not really about David. Of course, he is the main character – one of the most significant in the whole Bible. I mean, he has his own covenant with God like Abraham did. I don’t say this to diminish David.

But this book is really about something deeper. That no matter what’s going on in your life, in the world around us, the wars, the changes in culture, God is in charge. Christ is the true King.

The book starts with Hannah because through her God gives us Samuel. And Samuel is the agent God uses to anoint the first kings of Israel. And we’ll see that both Saul and David are beholden to Samuel and after him the prophets like Nathan. Because they are God’s representatives. The kings of Israel are, in actuality, appointed to be vice-kings. Allowed to rule as long as they obey the true King. They are, in fact, merely stewards on temporary thrones. Even though the nation wanted to throw off Theocracy and was often fighting with themselves like this family, God was still in charge.

The other reason the book starts with Hannah is because of what comes in chapter 2. The song of Hannah is not just a nice thank you to the Lord for giving her a son. It contains the theological purpose of this book. It is the key to the interpretation of everything that follows.^[23]

In her song we will hear that God is the Savior. That He is holy. That He is the rock. That He changes the fortunes of people. In fact, we’ll get seven examples of God changing things – flipping them on their heads. Why? Because He is the real King, the true King. And we will learn in her song and in these stories that if you oppose Him, you will be shattered. And most of all, we learn that God will send the messiah. That’s the very last word of her song. Did you know David is called God’s “messiah” in this book? He is – messiah, small m. Sent to deliver Israel. But as we follow his story, we’ll find that a human messiah – a small m messiah – is not enough to save us. Because he, too, needs saving. But that’s why God will promise that the Son of David will be the ultimate Messiah, capital M. The King of kings, capital K. The Leader Who will never fail, never be defeated, never make a mistake, never let us down.

In the darkest days of Israel’s history, God sends the light of hope. And we can live today in the power of grace because the Light has come. The Light of the World, the Son of David. The King Who is coming back one day, but Who is in charge right now. A King we bow before, a King we honor, a King we serve and celebrate.