Cause and Effect

A simple explanation of "Cause and Effect" is the relationship between an event or action (the cause) and the outcome it produces (the effect). It helps us understand how one action leads to another. This simple rule is essential as we study the Bible. It's also the reason we have so many scriptures misquoted. A positive outcome easily draws our attention. The action or event that led to the outcome is also necessary to frame the context.

I was reading 1 Samuel 2 this morning, but before I could get very far, I had to stop to ensure I wasn't just underlining and highlighting without truly understanding the reason for Hannah's celebratory prayer. After all, I've read this countless times. This morning, however, it really struck me – the words she used were powerful!

Hannah received a miracle as an answer to her deepest longing and prayers. In fact, her miracle child was named "Samuel" which means "I have asked for him from the Lord." She was quick to acknowledge her Source, and her prayer of praise reveals the deepness of her gratitude.

Read it and take note ... "My heart exults in the Lord, my horn is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation." (1 Samuel 2:1)

I emphasized some key words and expressions that flowed from her heart to help us gain a better understanding of the enormity of Hannah's gratitude. In these words, we can more easily see the depth of cause and effect starting in the very first words of her prayer.

Read the verse again and substitute the emphasized words with a deeper understanding:

• Exults (עָלַץ) = ecstatic victory celebration
• Horn (קֶרֶן) = royal power and strength
• Exalted (רוּם) = enthronement language
• Mouth derides (wide) (רָחַב) = public triumph over shame
• Rejoice (שָׂמַח) = covenant joy restored
• Salvation (יְשׁוּעָה) = divine deliverance

Did you know the Hebrew name of Jesus is the same as the Hebrew word for salvation ... יְשׁוּעָה (yešûʿāh)? So, Hannah says, “I rejoice in Your yeshuah”, a word that later becomes deeply messianic!

So, we have the cause: Hannah's indescribable emptiness, her barrenness.

And, we have the effect:

• Her ecstatic victory celebration expressed the power and strength in her heart through answered prayer.
• Hannah exalted YHWH, declaring Him as the Most High God, enthroned on high.
• Hannah's declaration publicly declared triumph over her shame (barrenness brought public shame and was considered a curse based on Genesis 30:1).
• Hannah rejoiced as covenant joy was restored.
• Hannah rejoiced in YHWH's salvation. Through her miracle son, the Messiah would come at YHWH's appointed time.

The story of Hannah's miracle seems to be filled with extremes. Her barrenness brought reproach. Her desire for a son left her desperate, despondent, seeking God for an answer–a miracle blessing. There is no record of her attempting to help herself, unlike Abraham and Sarah, despite all that she endured.

Because Hannah relied on YHWH to fulfill the promise, He did, far surpassing her expectations. Not just with an ordinary child, but one from whose seed one day divine deliverance would come ... the promised Messiah.

As we go through our days, waiting and praying for God to move in our seemingly difficult situations, let's remember how Hannah handled the painful emptiness that filled her heart. While she hurt, she trusted. While she felt abandoned by YHWH, she never tried to force the outcome. And, when YHWH moved with a miraculous answer to her deepest prayer, she rejoiced ... not just quietly in private, but publicly pouring out her heart, which was overflowing with joy. The God of her salvation fulfilled His promise to her ... gloriously.

Prayer

Father, we look at Hannah and see her as a special woman, much stronger than we often feel. Help us to learn from her example to trust You, to believe You, and to resist trying to create the answers to our prayers when our patience grows thin. Because You alone are trustworthy, help us to count on You daily as the provider of our every need, as the One who sees, delivers, and answers our deepest longings, we have taken to You in prayer. Amen.

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