The High Calling of Motherhood
Snr. Pastor Nathan Blackwell of Cornerstone Family Church in Saint Cloud, FL takes us through a sermon about the high calling of motherhood. Blackwell starts the sermon by looking at first Samuel, which talks about the story of Elkanah and his two wives – Peninnah and Hannah. Elkanah practiced polygamy, which we must note is not what God wants.
While Peninnah had several children, Hannah was barren and, therefore, could not bear any. Surprisingly, Elkanah loved Hannah more, which only made things worse; Peninnah would ridicule her, thereby leaving her spirit broken and making her feel diminished and less of a woman.
Blackwell tells us that Hannah was not the soul to give up easily; she turned to the lord and began praying desperately for a child. She poured her heart out to the lord and told Him that if He gave her a child, she would give him back to Him so he can serve Him. Finally, God answered Hannah’s prayer and gave her a son, whom she named Samuel.
As promised, Hannah raised Samuel to know and serve God. She took him to Priest Eli and told him Samuel was her son, and she brought him to the temple because she made a covenant with God. Samuel grew up in the temple and became one of the prominent spiritual figures in history; he anointed Saul and later David.
Blackwell tells us that there are plenty of lessons to learn from this story.
1. Being a Mother is a Noble Choice
According to Blackwell, any woman who chooses to be a mother chooses a noble thing. He goes further to remind us how God has affirmed the choices of women who committed themselves to the challenge of child-rearing. He also talks about the American history that gained incredible momentum in the 60s when the feminist movement was born. Although the feminist movement focused on equality and discrimination, it began to undermine the role of motherhood in later years.
2. God’s Call to Motherhood is Under Attack
Blackwell also points out that the story of Hannah tells us how God’s call to motherhood is under attack. Peninnah comes out as a callous woman who would torment and tease Hannah, making her feel miserable. He compares this to today’s society, where other women have become chief antagonists to motherhood. Nevertheless, Blackwell gives a few points on how women can liberate themselves from all these. For example, women should be committed to living life according to God’s words.
While Peninnah had several children, Hannah was barren and, therefore, could not bear any. Surprisingly, Elkanah loved Hannah more, which only made things worse; Peninnah would ridicule her, thereby leaving her spirit broken and making her feel diminished and less of a woman.
Blackwell tells us that Hannah was not the soul to give up easily; she turned to the lord and began praying desperately for a child. She poured her heart out to the lord and told Him that if He gave her a child, she would give him back to Him so he can serve Him. Finally, God answered Hannah’s prayer and gave her a son, whom she named Samuel.
As promised, Hannah raised Samuel to know and serve God. She took him to Priest Eli and told him Samuel was her son, and she brought him to the temple because she made a covenant with God. Samuel grew up in the temple and became one of the prominent spiritual figures in history; he anointed Saul and later David.
Blackwell tells us that there are plenty of lessons to learn from this story.
1. Being a Mother is a Noble Choice
According to Blackwell, any woman who chooses to be a mother chooses a noble thing. He goes further to remind us how God has affirmed the choices of women who committed themselves to the challenge of child-rearing. He also talks about the American history that gained incredible momentum in the 60s when the feminist movement was born. Although the feminist movement focused on equality and discrimination, it began to undermine the role of motherhood in later years.
2. God’s Call to Motherhood is Under Attack
Blackwell also points out that the story of Hannah tells us how God’s call to motherhood is under attack. Peninnah comes out as a callous woman who would torment and tease Hannah, making her feel miserable. He compares this to today’s society, where other women have become chief antagonists to motherhood. Nevertheless, Blackwell gives a few points on how women can liberate themselves from all these. For example, women should be committed to living life according to God’s words.