ESOCS Devotional 23 July 2023
MEMORY VERSE:“Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him”.1 Samuel 1:17 KJV
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 1:1-20 (KJV)
Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite:
2 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.
3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.
4 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:
5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lordhad shut up her womb.
6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb.
7 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.
8 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?
9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord.
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.
11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth.
13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.
16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.
17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.
18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the Lord, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the Lord remembered her.
20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the Lord.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
There are certain issues that can only be resolved at the instance of the priestly prayers. Some breakthroughs are gotten at the verge of the priestly blessings. No doubt, one may have engaged in personal prayers, fasting, sacrifices, services, etc. but, what is left to unlock the doors is a prophetic word from the Priest, Spiritual Father or Commissioned Servants of God. Jesus directed the leprous men to show themselves to the Priest and by the singular action they were cleansed (Luke 17:14). Therefore, the place of the Priest in enforcing God’s blessings, healing and deliverance for the members cannot be overemphasized. This is the importance of our text today. Hannah had secretly offered her prayers, groaning and vow to
God, but the arrival of Eli the Priest and his prayers graced and put a seal of confirmation upon the request of Hannah. Notice that immediately after the prophetic declaration by the Priest, her spirit was lighted and her countenance was no more- sad (1 Sam. 1:18).
This therefore is a call on all Ministers, Priests, Clergy men and Elders to be conscious of their God given assignment. “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto the: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” (Num. 6:22-26). We must at all times be committed to praying and blessing the children and congregation God has given to us. It is not expected of us to for any reason curse or pray against those God has brought our way. As Priests, we must realize our place in enforcing God’s blessings upon the people.
Furthermore, the attitude of Hannah towards the Priest cannot be overlooked. Even when in assumption the Priest spoke wrongly of her, yet it never demeaned her value for the Priest. Hear this; it is your sense of value that determines the flow of virtue. She never responded wrongly to the Priest. This addresses the bad attitude many members display towards the servants of God and elders. It is unfortunate that many people do not understand that God has positioned those Priests to put a seal on their request and prayers.
- Release goodwill and service to the Priests.
- Father, thank you for giving us Priests for our blessing. Forgive our days of ignorance and grant us the grace to have value and respect for your servants, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
FURTHER READING: Mark 10:17-31; Jonah 3:1-4; Jonah 4:1-11; Acts 11:1-18
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ESOCS Devotional 23 July 2023
