DELAY IS NOT DENIAL (three)
The taunting of Peninnah
(…continued from part two…)
3) Hannah was called names. Unfruitfulness. She did not give them her ears of faith. Peninnah taunted her, did not she? But Peninnah’s needling derision could not stop that which the Lord God would do. Elkanah did something to douse the matter but he could have stood by her in his refusal to marry a second wife, Peninnah, defined as ‘jewel, pearl, or the face’. There is nothing special, spiritually, about her.
1Samuel 1:17-20 “Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 18) And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. 19) And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her. 20) Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.”
Peninnah’s heckle was not Jehovah’s denial
Even though the judgment of Eli, the high priest, was garbed in atrocity of its pronouncement, it would not vitiate Hannah’s potential faith in the God of Israel. Her faith had engendered in her the humility of a good Christian, raising her to the enablement which held back her tongue from lashing at the stupidity of God’s servant.
Great Samuel: the proof that delay is not denial
Thankfully, the emergent alloy of faith and humility from this woman of great fortitude saved Eli from absolute irresponsibility. An ‘ascension’ (for that is the English definition of the Hebraic Eli) to the celestial assizes had to be made available to Hannah’s petition. The same Eli who had wrongfully accused her of an unladylike debauchery must change the lyrics to, “Go in peace.” Pronounced on her is ‘peace’, a Hebraic shâlôm (shaw-lome’) which means so many things: ‘completeness, soundness, welfare, peace;
+completeness (in number)
+safety, soundness (in body)
+welfare, health, prosperity
+peace, quiet, tranquility, contentment; peace, friendship
+of human relationships
+with God especially in covenant relationship
+peace (from war)
Should there be any genuine reason to wonder why she decided that her countenance was not going to be sad again? Selah! Shâlôm!
Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days.
Daniel 1:6-19, “Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 7) Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego. 8) But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9) Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10) And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. 11) Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12) Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
It took ten days to prove the lads right
13) Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 14) So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 15) And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. 16) Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 17) As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18) Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19) And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.”
The Bible says that they were of Judah. Judah means ‘praise’. Jesus Christ comes from Judah. All genuine praise related eventualities need to evoke the power advertence found in Jesus. Why JESUS? He is the Creator; He is the Author of faith. Daniel in Hebrew is dânı̂yê’l (daw-nee-yale’) ‘God is my judge.’ Hananiah is chănanyâh (khan-an-yaw) ‘Jah has favoured’. Mishael is mı̂yshâ’êl (mee-shaw-ale’) ‘who is what God is’. Azariah is ‛ăzaryâh (az-ar-yaw’) ‘Jehovah has helped’.
The truth is that God has heard us even before we offer the petitions of our hearts for His divine attention. Faith and caution become the tools of the divine engagement. Faith to keep us on the solidity of the terra firma; caution makes sure that we continue to walk according to divine will.
Get born again. Say this simple prayer, believing it with all your heart. Say:
“Dear heavenly Father, I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ. I believe in my heart that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sin. I believe that You raised Him from the dead. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and I receive Him now as my Lord and my Saviour. I give God all the glory. Amen!”
(…to be continued…)
You will get the 2nd part here
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