HANNAH WHO?

The stylist who cuts my hair is also working on a dual masters degree in theology.   Extremely interesting---even though they go to a liberal seminary, I love our discussions and always come away stimulated to think.   We do agree on the BIG POINT.  I am always questioning them and they are very learned and challenge my thinking.  The discussion ball was rolled recently when I asked, "Though the Old Testament is two-thirds of the Bible, I do not hear a like ratio of sermons based upon its teaching."  OFF WE WENT TO THE RACES!

The most interesting thing they told me concerned the story of Hannah in I Samuel.  Hannah is only mentioned once in the Bible in the first two chapters of I Samuel, and the stylist declared though the book is named for Samuel-- the most important narrative is this story of Hannah.  Their contention is that this is the first time the one on one relationship with God is acknowledged. Hannah prayed directly to God---not out loud as was the custom of the day--and she was a woman.   In most of the OT, the narrative is about the community of God's chosen people---as a group.  When I questioned---what about the relationship with God of Adam and Eve in the Creation Story--I was told disregard that story.  There was an acknowledgement of Moses having a one on one relationship (explained by He was chosen)  and Job (one of the oldest books in the Bible and perhaps my favorite book) speaking with God.  As I have thought it over since that discussion---I decided this belief was gleamed from the fact of Hannah being a woman (low on the totem pole at the time--sometimes not even included in the totem pole) and the fact she was a commoner as the Brits call anyone who is not royal.  She was one of us.  She prayed to God--in the temple which was normally reserved for men and He answered her prayer.  A one on one relationship demonstrated. Though we often refer to the death of Jesus tearing the curtain and allowing us access to God, that access was often allowed-without a priest to be the go between--when strong faith was present and a spirit of contrition and the knowledge that  God was the answer.

I hope you are as stimulated to think as I was.  We both agreed this was a point that our personal beliefs and experiences strongly influences.  As my writing is heavily influenced by my life experiences, those that I have followed their teachings, and the awakening of truth by the Holy Spirit----all those and more color what I write--what I say--and how I act.  Today I leave you to explore your opinion--your belief--and what you believe to be truth.  God blesses our searching and will reveal Himself if we only seek Him.

"God's Spirit has shown you everything.

His Spirit finds out everything even what is deep in the mind of God."

I Corinthians 2:10

"Every word we speak was taught to us by God's Spirit,

not by human wisdom."

I Corinthians 2:13