Sing Into Your Storm

The song of the barren

“sing into your barrenness”

he opening of the Book of Samuel tells the incredible story of Hannah, a woman who was barren. To be barren in Hannah’s day was like a curse in her society – for such a one was looked down upon with disdain, and had to bear the reproach of others who were secretly thinking they must have some flaw in character or curse in their family. To make matters worse for Hannah, her husband Elkanah had another wife Peninnah, who had given him children. Peninnah continually vexed Hannah about her barrenness:

“…and her riv al (Peninnah) also provoked her severely, to make her miserable…” (1 Samuel 1:6) “So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the L ORD , that she (Peninnah) provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.” (1 Samuel 1:7) “And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the L ORD and wept in anguish.” (1 Samuel 1:10)

Hannah did not have a fertility problem!

“…the L ORD had closed her womb.” (1 Samuel 1:5)

In the midst of her storm, Hannah made a vow to the Lord. She told Him that if He would give her a male child, that she would dedicate him into lifelong service in the House of God.

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