Grace in the Law
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Psalm 119:1
In the first two chapters of 1 Samuel we’re introduced to Elkanah and Hannah, Samuel’s parents. We are also introduced to Peninnah who is Elkanah’s other wife. It’s very interesting how the Bible reports the facts, sometimes without comment.
Elkanah is a man of God who goes up to worship God at Shiloh for an annual festival. But, he has two wives. Culturally this was accepted, but it was not condoned by God.
When we obey God’s law, we are blessed and so are others. The opposite is equally true. If we fail to obey God’s law, we fail to receive the blessing and others may also suffer. Elkanah’s two wives are a case in point.
Children were considered a blessing of God (and still are). Hannah had no children but Elkanah’s second wife had many children. This is the Biblical account of the family’s trips to Shiloh to worship at the festival:
“On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb. And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, ’Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons (1 Samuel 1:4-8)?’”
It would be bad enough to be disappointed, wondering why God would close her womb, and to think she was disappointing her husband by not having any children, but for Hannah to have to tolerate this provocation of a second wife. The pain was multiplied exponentially! Poor Hannah.
Quite frankly, Peninnah doesn’t have it any better. How painful would it be to have to watch and listen as your husband lavishes love and affection on another woman?
If Elkanah would have obeyed God’s one wife law, neither of these women would have suffered like they did. As He can do, God used this whole situation for the good of His people, whom Samuel served and saved from their enemies. But on a personal level, this got ugly and painful.
I praise the Lord that He’s able to take our messes and bring about something good from them. How much more He might bless us if we only conform to His laws!
Christian, will we stop and think about the consequences of sin It is insidious. God gave us great love and mercy in His Law. He protects us through it and gives us plenty of evidence in His word about the consequences of both obedience and disobedience. (Proverbs 28:9; Deuteronomy 11:27-28; Isaiah 59:1-2; Hebrews 5:9)
God has given us grace by giving us His Law. It is in obedience that we show our love for Him (John 14:15)
Are we, or someone close to us, suffering because we are not walking in the law of the Lord (Psalm 119:1)?