The Ideal Mother

1. The Ideal Mother

2. The Ideal Mother • Hannah, who lived during the close of the period of judges, was the favored of two wives of a man named Elkanah.

3. 1 Samuel 1:1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.

4. 1 Samuel 1:2-3 And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.

5. 1 Samuel 1:4-5 And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb.

6. The Ideal Mother • Though childless for years, she became the mother of Samuel, and personified ideal motherhood under Old Testament law. • Many lessons can be illustrated by events in her life.

7. Hannah Was a Godly Woman. • She went yearly to Shiloh, which only the men were required to do.

8. Exodus 34:23 "Three times in the year all your men shall appear before the Lord, the Lord God of Israel."

9. Hannah Was a Godly Woman. • She went yearly to Shiloh, which only men were required to do. • She prayed earnestly.

10. 1 Samuel 1:9-10 So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the Lord. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish.

11. Hannah Desired to Be a Mother. • Her heart grieved for a son.

12. 1 Samuel 1:6-8 And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat. Then Elkanah her husband said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"

13. Hannah Desired to Be a Mother. • Her heart grieved for a son. • Many married women, today, do not want the “bother” of bearing and raising children. • One purpose of marriage is to “fill the earth” by bringing forth children.

14. Genesis 1:28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

15. Hannah Dedicated Her Son to God. • She realized her son was a gift from God.

16. 1 Samuel 1:12-14 And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!"

17. 1 Samuel 1:15-17 And Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.“ Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him."

18. 1 Samuel 1:18-19 And she said, "Let your maidservant find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her.

19. 1 Samuel 1:20 So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked for him from the Lord."

20. Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

21. Hannah Dedicated Her Son to God. • She realized her son was a gift from God. • She brought him to the house of God after weaning him.

22. 1 Samuel 1:21-22 Now the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and his vow. But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "Not until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the Lord and remain there forever."

23. 1 Samuel 1:23-24 And Elkanah her husband said to her, "Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him. Only let the Lord establish His word." So the woman stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned him. Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh. And the child was young.

24. 1 Samuel 1:25-28 Then they slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, "O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord." So they worshiped the Lord there.

25. 2 Chronicles 31:16 Besides those males from three years old and up who were written in the genealogy, they distributed to everyone who entered the house of the Lord his daily portion for the work of his service, by his division,

26. 2 Chronicles 31:17-18 and to the priests who were written in the genealogy according to their father's house, and to the Levites from twenty years old and up according to their work, by their divisions, and to all who were written in the genealogy--their little ones and their wives, their sons and daughters, the whole company of them--for in their faithfulness they sanctified themselves in holiness.

27. Hannah Rejoiced in Her Motherhood. • She praised God for His salvation.

28. 1 Samuel 2:1 And Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the Lord; My horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation."

29. Hannah Rejoiced in Her Motherhood. • She praised God for His salvation. • True religion makes a soul happy in his relationship to God.

30. Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.

31. Hannah Rejoiced in Her Motherhood • She praised God for His salvation. • True religion makes a soul happy in his relationship to God. • Consider the beatitudes.

32. Matthew 5:1-5 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. "Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

33. Matthew 5:6-9 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. "Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. "Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

34. Matthew 5:10-12 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

35. Lessons Illustrated in the Life of Hannah • Long years of meekly enduring trials may be the divine training ground for higher spiritual ends. • Fervent prayer is, indeed, powerful. • Great things can come out of a “not so ideal” home situation.

36. Conclusion • We certainly need to be as dedicated to God as Hannah was. • We need to pour out our needs to God in prayer on a regular basis as Hannah did.

38. The Hand that Rocks the Cradle… …Rules the World!

39. Proverbs 31:10-14 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar.

40. Proverbs 31:15-18 She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night.

41. Proverbs 31:19-22 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

42. Proverbs 31:23-27 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

43. Proverbs 31:28-31 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all." Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.