Motive Erases Reproach

“They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.” (1Sa 2:5 AV)

This is part of Hannah’s prayer of praise for the LORD’s goodness to her.  The LORD heard her prayer and opened her womb.  The LORD was gracious in giving Samuel who was lent to the LORD.  Because Hannah honored her vow and surrendered Samuel to the service of the tabernacle when he turned three or four, the LORD opened her womb again and gave three sons and two daughters. One of the results of God blessing her with a child is the reproach leveled towards her by Pininnah, Elkanah’s other wife.  Pinannah had children by Elkanah.  Hannah had none.  Every year they would ascend to Shiloh to worship.  Every year the allotment of sacrifice was a reminder to Hannah she was barren.  Every year Pinannah would remind her.  What is remarkable is Hannah did not need to match Pinannah child for child for the reproach to be lifted and all the air burst from Pinannah’s balloon.  All that was needed was God’s hand of blessing on her and all the reproach ceased.

What was the difference?  We know the prayer above was spoken before Hannah giving birth to all her children.  She stated she was going to have seven children, yet the Bible only speaks of six.  We surmise this prayer was authored and spoken immediately after the birth of Samuel.  Before any realization of greater blessing from God.  So, why is all her reproach taken away after the birth of only one child?  Why wouldn’t her reproach from Pininnah be tied to the number of children and not just that she had children?  Think of Rachel and Leah.  They were in constant competition to have more children for Jacob than the other.  So what is different here?  I think the difference here is motive.  There is no record of how may children Pininnah bore.  First Samuel chapter one and verse four simply tells us she had sons and daughters.  There was no total given.  Yet, when it came to Hannah, we see a total given.  At the time of the writing, she had born seven.  Again, why the difference?  A question can be asked.   What was the motive of Pinannah and Hannah when it came to bearing children?  It seems, due to Pinannah’s treatment of Hannah, her motive was simply to bear more children.  She saw her ability to bear children and the sole definition of her worth.  On the other hand, Hannah’s motive seemed to be the glory of God.  She promised her firstborn to the service of the LORD if the LORD would be good to her.  Her motive was God’s glory, not her own.

If our concern is God’s glory first, then it won’t matter how someone else’s ‘success’ may appear.  If someone seems to be a better soul-winner, it won’t matter because when we go out, we do so for the glory of God.  If someone seems to be a better preacher, teacher, bus worker, etc, it won’t matter because we do what we do unto the LORD.  If we are reproached for our shortcomings by someone who seems more attune, it won’t matter because we are doing what we are doing as unto the LORD.  Hannah could always look towards the tabernacle and be pleased her son was there, serving the LORD.  When the family went up year by year to offer their sacrifice, Hannah could look upon the goodness of the LORD in the person of Samuel.  Something Pininnah could not do.  So, the next time an adversary gives you a hard time because she thinks you are not reaching your potential, just remember, you serve the LORD first.  As long as He is pleased and your motive is to honor Him, it really doesn’t matter what someone else says or the standard by which they judge.  This is why Hannah’s reproach was lifted and the one that had many children waxed feeble.