Author Darlene J. Conard

Hannah endured a series of painful experiences. First, God closed her womb, causing her deep emotional anguish. Then, her sister-wife Peninnah ceaselessly taunted and provoked her. On top of that, her husband was unsympathetic to her desire for a child and tried to distract her from it. As if that weren’t enough, when she poured her heart out at the altar, she was accused of being drunk by Eli, the priest, who even went as far as categorizing her as a daughter of Belial, essentially a follower of Satan.

The Hebrew term “Belial” comes from “without” and “to profit,” implying “worthlessness” or “wickedness.” This concept evolved to encompass moral force, leading to the term “wickedness”. The Talmud suggests it may mean “without a yoke,” while others see it as referring to someone who has cast off the yoke of heaven, symbolizing lawlessness.

Eli branded her with these words, she had to confront this at the altar. Hannah undeniably had a connection to heaven!

It’s tough to understand why God would allow such adversity, but eventually, her prayers were answered, and her situation improved. Her strength and determination grew, and she found solace in God’s intentions. She prayed for grace and was granted it, culminating in her becoming an ancestor to Christ.

Hannah’s key lesson is the importance of persistent prayer and unwavering faith, even in trials and pain. The hardships we endure may lead to blessings far beyond what we anticipate. It’s a poignant reminder never to lose hope and to persist in our faith.

We must confront adversity even in prayer, but we must persevere. When Hannah rejected Eli’s negative assessment, she received the answer to her prayer. It was already answered; she just needed to thank God for it.

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” 1 Corinthians 3:13 KJV

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