“A Joyful Song To The Lord!”(I Sam.2:1-8a).
One of the touching stories in the Talmud concerns a devoted God-loving Jewish lady. (By the way, you may be wondering what the Talmud is.“The Hebrew term Talmud (‘study’ or ‘learning’) commonly refers to a compilation of ancient teachings regarded as sacred and normative by Jews from the time it was compiled until modern times and still so regarded by traditional religious Jews).”
This Jewish lady was married to a Jewish rabbi who was a merchant who often went for business trips that took many days. They were married for many years with no child. They prayed and God gave them a son. At the age of about six years, the boy just collapsed and died while the merchant was away on a business trip.
This woman embalmed the child, dressed him well and put in a room. When the husband returned from his trip she welcomed him well in an amorous way. After the husband was fully rested, she approached him with tender love and said she wanted to ask him a question. The husband told her to go ahead.
She asked him, “If somebody keeps his treasure with you and comes and take it in your absence what will you do?” The husband replied that he would not do anything. After all the person only took what was his.
The woman led him to the room where their dead son was lying on the bed, and said,“The LORD kept him with us and took him in your absence.”
My friend, we are trustees or stewards. Whatever we have is kept by God in trust – even when in naivity we claim ownership. This Jewish woman, just like Hannah of the Old Testament was childless and prayed to the LORD and he gave her one. The spirit in which Hannah dedicated Samuel to the service of the LORD was the same spirit exhibited by the merchant’s wife.
Elta M Lewis captures the total submission of both women. When Hannah dedicated Samuel to the service of God, it was an acknowledgment that Samuel was God’s property.
Lewis’ song fits both contexts:
- I take my portion from Thy hand,
And do not seek to understand;
For I am blind, while Thou dost see,
Thy will is mine, whate’er it be.
Refrain
Whate’er it be! whate’er it be!
I do not fear, whate’er it be;
Thy love divine sustaineth me,
Thy will is mine, whate’er it be.
- When darkness doth Thy face obscure,
And many sorrows I endure,
I think of Christ’s Gethsemane;
Thy will is mine, whate’er it be. [Refrain] - When tender joys to me are known,
I render thanks to Thee alone;
I know my cup is filled by Thee;
Thy will is mine, whate’er it be. [Refrain] - Thus calmly do I face my lot,
Accept it, Lord, and doubt Thee not;
Lo! all things work for good to me;
Thy will is mine, whate’ er it be. [Refrain].
With absolute trust in the LORD all barren wombs become fertile at one point. But whatever that womb produces belong to the LORD alone.
The LORD does not discriminate his blessings. He is a God of good times; and bad times as well. Whatever it be, accept your lot and doubt it not because all things work for good to you according to God’s will.
Prayer: We exalt you heavenly LORD for putting smiles on the faces of the downcast in spirit. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
23/04/2025.