Out of Many, One
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Intro:
1 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
2 And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3 This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.
Today, as we continue to study prayer in scripture, the title of my message is, [Out of Many, One].
Today, we collected change for missions. If we were to look at ever coin, we would find the Latin phrase, “E Pluribus Unim,” meaning, Out of Many, One or One from Many.
In 1776, Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin, among others, made the suggestion to include the phrase on the Seal of the United States.
The notion was that the ragtag thirteen colonies could unite. Out of the many people, one nation could arise to defeat the British and create a society where people enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Out of Many, One was a rallying call for those who desired freedom. They were to do their part in making freedom become a national reality.
That took place 244 years ago. Out of many colonists, 2.5 million strong, came a nation that has changed history. Now that group of thirteen colonies has grown to fifty states with over 330 million people calling this country home.
I thought of that phrase, Out of Many, One, as I read our text about Hannah. Her story comes at a pivotal time in Israelite history.
Today, as we look at her life, we will see the national details that surrounded her. In fact, Israel was at its lowest point in over 500 years.
After they crossed the Red Sea
After they received the Law that instructed them serve the Only true God
After they entered the Promised Land
After they watched the walls of Jericho fall
After they watched God come through for them over and over
God’s people began to forsake their walk with God for the rules and rituals of their religion. They believed in God, but did not include them in their everyday life.
They were twelve tribes of people that did what was right in their own eyes. Their backslidden condition became so real that they began to:
worship false gods
make sacrifices to idols
and even had priests that compromised their position
But out of the MANY who turned their back on the Lord, God only needed one. He needed one person who would pray. He found that person in the life of Hannah.
Out of many in her family, she prayed and God shifted her future and the future of Israel.
God used Hannah, out of many, one who would pray. Scripture shows over and over again, out of the many people, God heard the ones who prayed!
And our nation’s history tells that out of many, the ones who did their part helped create a land of freedom.
Likewise, The church has become numerous. What started with a group of 120 people wait in the an Upper Room has blossomed into a worldwide movement of 2.382 Billion people who identify as Christians.
Within the billions of Christians, over 500 million are Pentecostal or Charismatic, meaning they speak in tongues. With the many Christians in the world, God still looks for the ONE who will call on His name, seek His face, and commit to prayer!
Out of the many, numerous people in the world, God longs to take and hear the prayers of ONE!
Today, I want to see Out of Many, God used the prayer life of one women to change a nation and help a family.
The events in Hannah’s life take place in a volatile time in Israel. Let’s look at 1 Samuel 1-2 and see three points, [Personal Anguish], [Public Agony], and [Prophetic Answer].
Let’s begin
1. Personal Anguish
1. Personal Anguish
5 But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb.
6 And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb.
7 So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.
Hannah lived in time between the Judges and the Kings of Israel. Many of God’s people were selfish, but there still some who stayed faithful to God.
Hannah was one of them. But her life shows that faithfulness to God does not mean life will always feel easy. Hannah had a problem, she could not have children.
Unlike today, in the Old Testament though, not having children was a sign of God’s judgment or disapproval.
Hannah’s husband identified Hannah’s anguish. So he looked out for her and would give her more than his other wife. No doubt this stirred up strife and jealousy.
Every year, they would make an annual trip to Shiloh to make their sacrifice. Elkannah would have Peninnah on one side with all of her children and Hannah on the other side, all alone.
The trip was always heartbreaking. People would whisper and wonder, what did she do to God for him to close her womb?
Hannah could have viewed her situation and become bitter and angry at God. But as I explained last week, people of prayer are people of commitment.
Though life was not going as she planned, she knew where to turn in personal anguish.
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish.
11 Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”
She went to God and she PRAYED! I continue to notice this overriding theme in scripture. The people we know about are the people who prayed.
What did Hannah pray about?
Once again she went to God and explained her sorrow and sadness. But she prayed in faith. She was barren but trusted that God could give her a son.
Then she made a commitment very few would have. She told God, if you will answer my prayer, I will give my son back to you. He will be yours to use as you see fit.
Her prayer was music to God’s ears. Out of the many in Shiloh, God looked for One who would have faith despite their personal anguish.
God heard her prayer, but what Hannah did not know, when God answered her prayer, He also would solve a national problem. For as Hannah faced personal anguish, Israel went through...
2. Public Agony
2. Public Agony
3 This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.
9 So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the Lord.
We do not know for certain who wrote the book of 1 Samuel. Though it is named after Samuel, it is unlikely that he authored the book, though he may have contributed.
Regardless, the Holy Spirit inspired the author describe two events simultaneously. As we hear of Hannah’s personal anguish, sprinkled through her narrative are details about Eli and his sons, Hophni and Phineas.
Eli and his sons were priests. Priests held a unique position in Israel. Unlike the United States where only 47% prioritize God’s house every week, Israel was meant to be different.
Priests had the unique responsibility to speak to God for the people. When someone sinned, they would bring a sacrifice to the priest, who would stand in between the sinner and God.
Eli was a priest, likely the High Priest, and he was present when Hannah went to the Tabernacle to pray about her personal anguish.
But Israel was in a time of public agony whether they realized it or not. For Eli had the position of priest, but he and his family were not spiritually in tune.
Therefore, Israel had the form of godliness, but did not have an active experience with God. Notice Eli’s reaction to Hannah’s prayer.
12 And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth.
13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.
14 So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!”
15 But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.
16 Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.”
17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”
18 And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
He watched Hannah pray, but he did not hear. He watched her lips move. Had he been even the slightest bit close to God, he would have discerned Hannah was troubled and needed God’s help.
What did he do instead?
He accused her of being drunk! He told her to throw away her wine.
What a sad state of affairs. The one responsible for the spiritual welfare of Israel was not spiritually insightful enough to bring help to someone in personal anguish.
Hannah was one of many. If Hannah went through a hard time, imagine how many other people came to Shiloh, needing help, but found nothing from the people spiritually responsible.
But I like Hannah. She did not sheepishly go away and let Eli’s reprimand go unnoticed. She answered, I am not drunk, do not think I am a wicked woman.
No, I have been pouring out my heart to God. I am in great anguish and sorrow. I came here for help. I did not turn to substances to help me, for alcohol cannot fix my problem.
I do not need something to full my anguish, I need someone to remove my anguish!
If I were Eli, I would feel about “this big.” Here he was, the man who was to intercede to God on behalf of people, and he did not even identify the spiritual need of this women.
Can you hear his voice?
Oh, um, in that case, Go in peace and may God grant your request.
I wonder if Eli meant what he said? Regardless if he did not or not, his reply to Hannah came from God. For her personal anguish was going to solve the public agony of Israel. For through Hannah God would bring the...
3. Prophetic Answer
3. Prophetic Answer
26 And she said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord.
27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.
28 Therefore I also have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.” So they worshiped the Lord there.
Hannah held onto God’s promise and she conceived and had a son. The next year, when it was time for Elkanah to return to Shiloh to make his vow and sacrifice to God, Hannah stayed home.
She wanted to wait until Samuel was weaned. So the next year, she went to Eli and asked him, do you remember me? Remember the one you accused of being drunk as I made a promise to God?
Well, I have kept good on my promise. This is Samuel. I am entrusting him to you. I told God if he would give me a son, I would commit him to God and God can use him for the rest of his life.
I am giving him to you and to the Lord. Eli was probably shocked that someone actually kept their word, but together they worshipped.
So far we’ve looked at God’s prophetic answer to Hannah’s personal anguish. What about the public agony? What was God’s plan for Israel?
Out of the many who had forgotten God, God was ready to raise up one who would bring Israel back to God.
Hannah worships God and prays in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. But notice the personal details of Samuel and the Eli’s sons.
11 Then Elkanah went to his house at Ramah. But the child ministered to the Lord before Eli the priest.
12 Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the Lord.
Out of the many children in Israel, God focused on Samuel, Hophni, and Phineas.
2:12— they had no respect for God
2:17— they had contempt for the offering of the Lord
2:22— they would seduce women and take advantage of them when they came to make their sacrifice
Eli’s sons were not just two ornery boys. No, they were priests. They were to follow their father and take care of the spiritual welfare of Israel.
They were to pray on behalf of God’s people. Instead, they took advantage of people.
What about Samuel? How was he God’s prophetic answer to Israel’s problem?
18 But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod.
19 Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.
20 And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say, “The Lord give you descendants from this woman for the loan that was given to the Lord.” Then they would go to their own home.
21 And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the Lord.
He ministered to God
Every year Hannah watched the answer to her personal anguish grow in God.
He continued to grow in favor with God and other people
Out of the many people in Israel who were uncommitted and unfaithful to God, there was one, Samuel, who continued to draw closer to God.
The contrast becomes clearer and the Lord sent a prophet to Eli. Listen to the end of the prophetic word:
34 Now this shall be a sign to you that will come upon your two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they shall die, both of them.
35 Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever.
The unnamed prophet informed Eli that on the same day God would judge Hophni and Phineas’s rebellion. They would both die.
God would skip over Eli’s family and one day raise up a faithful; priest who will walk before God forever!
Was Samuel the priest? Was Samuel the answer to Israel’s public agony?
Yes and no. Yes, God used Samuel to rid Israel of idolatry. But Samuel was not a priest, he was a prophet, in fact Acts 3:24 tells us he was the first prophet.
Unlike a priest speaks to God for the people.
A prophet speaks to the people for God.
How did God use Samuel? Out of the MANY in Israel, God found ONE who would listen to Him and speak for Him.
Close:
Out of the many in Israel, God used the prayers of ONE woman, Hannah. Despite her personal anguish, she trusted God in prayer.
The answer to her personal anguish was also the answer to Israel’s public agony. God had enough of a “priest” who would allow his family to walk in open rebellion against God.
So through the prayers of ONE person God helped a family and changed a nation.
But I want to close with the promise made by the unnamed prophet. God declared He would raise up a PRIEST for Himself.
But who was the priest? Who was the priest God wanted to use?
There was a priest that would show up in a few years named Zadok. But we do not know much about him. He was not the priest God wanted.
For God wanted a priest who would FOREVER speak to Him on behalf of His people.
The writer of Hebrews gives us a clearer picture.
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Who was the Priest God raised for Himself? Who is the faithful priest who walks before God?
Jesus Christ, through His death, burial, and resurrection has become our HIGH PRIEST FOREVER!
He understands our weakness and humanity, for He was tempted just as we are, but He conquered sin for us! Now we can come freely and boldly before God, who will strengthen us in our time of weakness!
Unlike Eli, who was not spiritually aware enough to see Hannah’s personal anguish, the moment we pray, our High Priest understand and cares about us!
Here is the beauty of prayer, out of the MANY in the world, God pays attention to EACH ONE.
Out of the MANY who pray, God hears the prayers of ONE.
Out of the MANY sinners, God hears the prayers of ONE who repents.
Out of the MANY who need healing, God hears the prayers of ONE who needs relief.
Out of the MANY in bondage, God hears the prayers of ONE who needs freedom.
Does this mean we must pray ONE at a time. Not at all.
All 2.382 billion Christians can pray at the same time and God hears the prayers of each ONE.
The over 500 million Pentecostals and Charismatics can pray in tongues at the same time, and God knows what each ONE is praying!
Furthermore, there will come a day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess. Of the MANY people who will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of the Father, the great High Priest will know EACH ONE!
Out of MANY in this world, God loves and cares for each one.
Out of MANY in our church, God wants each ONE of us to pray.
Out of many,
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
In this year of prayer, the focus is not on the MANY who pray or the MANY who do not pray. The emphasis is on each ONE developing their prayer life.
For out of MANY, God hears the prayers of One!
I had a unique encounter with God as I prepared this message. On Thursday, I was going over the passages of scripture and thinking over what I am preaching.
And I heard God ask me a question in my spirit, “Do you really believe, Out of Many, I hear the prayers of one? Do you really believe that?”
As the faith-filled pastor that I am, I answered, of course. Yes, I believe. I went on with my business and headed home.
Then as I drove to Annapolis to help set up for the National Day of Prayer service. I felt God ask me again, do you really believe, out the many in this world, I hear the prayers of one?
And I thought. And I prayed. And I listened to the Lord and wondered, why do I keep hearing God ask me this question.
During the National Day of Prayer service, which was wonderful, I felt like I needed to pray when I got home. Bekah and I watched a TV show and when it was time to go to bed, I told her, I feel like I am supposed to pray after you go to bed.
She said okay, right now? I answered, yes, I would rather obey Him and pray at 9:00 then disobey and have Him wake me up to pray at 3:00 am.
I knelt on the couch and prayed in the Spirit. I prayed in tongues for fifteen minutes. And I felt God asked me again, but this time, it was different, out of the MANY, do you really believe I can hear YOUR prayers.
Do you really believe I listen to YOU. Not people in your church or family, but in YOU, Daniel Tidmore, of the MANY do you really believe I listen to you as an audience of ONE?
And it hit me, God knew something about me, I had been too busy to realize. Yes I believe God, but sometimes I have to get honest like the boy’s father in Mark 9, “I Believe Help my unbelief!”
Suddenly, I felt faith rise in my heart, any amount of discouragement leave, and a new resolve to pray like never before!
So I came here to say this morning, if you believe in prayer, know God answers prayers, but sometimes wonder, out of MANY, does God really pay attention to this ONE?
I want to say, God heard the prayers of Hannah.
He answered her personal anguish and solved the public agony with this prophetic answer. We have a great High Priest who intercedes for us before God.
So we can pray with boldness and confidence, out the MANY on earth, GOD hears the ONES who pray!