Birth out of Love

Birth out of love was Samuel, the child born of Elkana and Hannah in the first chapter of the book of I Samuel. 

All the heartbreak and sorrow Hannah had endured because she could not give her beloved husband a child of their love greatly tormented her,

“And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children…Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?” 1 Samuel‬ ‭1:2, 8‬‬‬

What added to her torment was Elkanah’s other wife Peninnah, 

“And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb. And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭1:6-7‬‬‬

But Hannah is never seen taking vengeance upon her tormentor, instead she sought out God through prayer to remove the cause of her tormented spirit, which was to bare a child out of love.

This desire in Hannah is rarely seen today. Women want children for a thousand reasons other than to bare a child of their beloved: for competition, for friendship, for jealousy, for a check, for retirement, for a tax deduction…but not to bare a child as a reward to their beloved husband. 

Not so with Hannah for not being able to bare a child out of love greatly tormented her and nothing like riches, or status or position could console her.

God would answer Hannah’s prayer while simultaneously answering the greatest need of His people, which was to have a faithful conveyor of the word of God that His people might hear the word of God,

“And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭3:1‬‬‬

God would eventually bless Hannah to bare a child out of love in which she greatly rejoiced,

“And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.”1 Samuel‬ ‭2:1-2‬‬

Hannah will do as she promised, which will be to return the child to the Lord in cooperation with God’s purpose,

“For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭1:27-28‬‬‬

And God’s purpose is ultimately fulfilled in giving His people a faithful minister of His word,

“And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beer–sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭3:19-20‬‬‬

So too is everyone that is born of the Spirit of God, is birth through agony of love,”For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son”, who bore our sins in His own body that we might be “born again” to fulfill God’s purpose in the world, to Birth others out of His Love!!!