Elkanah, Hannah & Peninnah - I Samuel 1
Jealousy is a wounding evil, and our living together can help bring it up
and out of us.
Peninnah teased Hannah, because Hannah had yet
no children. One particular year, while the family was at
the Shiloh sacrifice, Hannah wept and refused
to eat. She was dearly loved by Elkanah, who tried to comfort her;
and then she did eat. Also she prayed, asking God that she may give birth to
a boy; specifically,
a child who would
grow up as
a Nazarene in
the house of God: fully given to
the Lord in service. The child would be Samuel, and,
that prayer brought
an immediate end to Hannah's sadness.Hannah had asked for
a firstborn child, yet not so as to give her possession of a child.
What have we lost since Hannah?
- Faith in God to provide children; to open the womb.
- We have of late assumed against His reproductive authority with us, and His possession of the fruit of the womb.
- The jealousy of God has escaped us beneath our own.
The Shulammite Experience - Song of Songs Solomonic
English translation has failed to preserve this narrative of desire undeparting. Bibles in modernization may tilt toward a more sensual rendering of the Song
[ref: 1:4; 3:1; 4:9; 5:4,16; 8:6..].
She is compared to sixty queens and eighty concubines and virgins beyond number. Maidens regard her blessed;
the queens & concubines praised her. Yet she is drawn by
the flute of two camps. The bride must make ready to leave the land of her
birth behind, for another [6:13].Love & passion ablaze of Yah!
[8:6 YLT,DBY,ASV,EBR,CLV,NAS,AMP..].
What have we lost since the Shulammite?
- The patience of Solomon.
- The consuming fire of Ya!
- Passion to wed that draws us on to the new camp.
Rebekah for Isaac - Genesis 24
Abraham sends his servant to recognize and bring home
a woman for Isaac, one prepared by Yahweh who knows
the spirit of the daughter, Rebekah. Recognizing her summons, impeccably she makes ready
with haste.
What have we lost since Rebekah?
- Steadfast trust in God to supply where there be need.
- The surety & boldness to depart from childhood securities.
The Price of Pleasure - Judges 14:1-15:2
Samson will seek his pleasure; following his eyes, until he
loses them. [Judges 16:21]
He has not her heart. Now there's no turning back for her, and her people mourn.
What have we lost since Samson?
- The wedding couch does not serve well for pleasure.
Clothed for Wedding - Matthew 22:1-14
Is the invitation itself conclusive?
May the promise substitute for
our preparation?
The bride must put on the new, as well for those attending her.
All is now done in preparation for newness
of life. The old with its
former wear, must be put off.
What have we lost since the summons came forth?
- To choose while being chosen.
- Being clothed in the new.
The Best at Cana - John 2:1-11
The wedding feast is the time;
Where water becomes the best of wine.
The Bridegroom serves
in celebration;
The guests not foresaken.
What have we lost without the Gift of ideal wine?
- Joy of all abounding together.
- The best from above.
