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The God of Knowledge
by Alex M. Lindsay
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Reference: I Samuel 1:24 - 2:10

Hannah had a great burden. She was childless. Her husband (Elkanah) had a second wife (Peninnah) who could bare him children. Wife number two was not very nice about it. She mocked Hannah whenever she could. Hannah went to the house of the Lord and prayed so intently that her mouth was moving, but no words were coming out. The high priest (Eli) saw her and made a judgement that she was drunk. So, he rebuked her. She explained that she was not drunk but rather was deeply burdened and praying silently.

Hannah continued to talk to the LORD and ask for a son. She promised God that if He gave her a son, she would dedicate him and give him back to the LORD as His servant. God answered her prayer and gave her a son. At three years of age, Samuel was weaned, brought to the house of the LORD, and given to Eli to be trained for God's service. This background story is found in I Samuel 1:1-28.

Sacrifice

I Samuel 1:24-28 - Our Scripture reading starts with Hannah coming to the LORD's house with her son and a sacrifice [KJV / NKJV says 3 bulls. Other translations say a 3-year-old bull. There could be a good debate here, but let's not get distracted!]. As she declares her vow and her sacrifice to Eli, he joins her in worship.

Song

I Samuel 2:1-10 - The next thing Hannah does is to pray and sing to the LORD. She is giving her only and precious son to be raised by Eli and put into God's service. She does it with joy and celebration, in a spirit of worship!


Can we go through hardships, battles, and sacrifices with a song of praise to the LORD? This is the way it is supposed to be done! See II Chronicles 29:27-28; II Corinthians 9:7.

Consider:

  • Christ - Matthew 26:26-30
  • Paul, Barnabas & others - Acts 13:50-52
  • Paul & Silas - Acts 16:20-25

As Hannah's soul blesses the LORD (Psalm 34:1-3; 103:1), she declares

  • Her joy in the LORD
  • God's holiness and unchanging dependability (He's our rock!)
  • God's omniscience (He knows everything)
  • God's omnipotence (He is all powerful)
  • God's sovereign control over everyone and everything
  • God's grace and protection of His people
  • God's judgement against the wicked

The God of Knowledge - I Samuel 2:3

Hannah had personally experienced mockery and false judgment against her (Peninnah & Eli - I Samuel 1:2,6-7,12-14). Yet she was not bitter. Rather, she maintained a calm and faithful spirit. She focused on God - on His greatness and goodness. She kept dealing with God and was not side-tracked by the personal failures of others. She probably was also witnessing the moral and spiritual problems in her nation [Read the book of Judges cp. I Samuel 2:12-17].

As Hannah focused on God's holiness, sovereignty, and grace, perhaps she found warning, as well as comfort in knowing the God of Knowledge. He who knew everything would deal with everything. He who saw injustice would handle it justly. He who saw the oppression of the faithful would give comfort and relief. He who saw disobedience would correct it. This helped Hannah keep her own spirit in check, while also allowing her to closely seek fellowship with her God. She is a fine example of Matthew 5:3-12 and John 4:23-24. Could she have imagined that her son would be part of God's solution to the nation's unfaithfulness? See I Samuel 3:1-21.

Let's consider a few thoughts about the God of Knowledge.

He who knows everything deals with our thoughts, words, and deeds.
See Psalm 44:20-21; Proverbs 16:2; 20:27 (cp. Romans 2:14-15); 24:11-12; Romans 2:16 cp. Matthew 12:36; Luke 8:16-18; 12:1-5.

He who knows everything calls us to come to Him in repentance and faith in His Son.
See Isaiah 55:6-11; Titus 3:3-8; Hebrews 4:12-16; I John 1:3 - 2:2.

He who knows everything wants us to be faithful and edifying, not judgmental or proud.
Romans 14:10-13,17-19 [Read whole chapter]; I Corinthians 4:1-7.

Originally delivered June 2, 2019
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