Archive for year: 2020
Digging Deeper: Hannah’s Messianic Prayer
Author: Mr. Kenneth Frank | Faculty in Theology, Living Education
Estimated Reading Time: 6 min.
Did you know that the first time the Hebrew word for Messiah appears in the Old Testament is in a woman’s prayer thanking God for giving her a son after she had been barren (could not bear children) for many years?
This heart-warming story appears in 1 Samuel 1 and 2. For millennia, Christians have noted hundreds of Old Testament prophecies that they see fulfilled in the coming of Jesus the Christ (Messiah), as described in the New Testament. Most Jews do not accept that Jesus fulfills these many prophecies since they have a different understanding of the word messiah. However, for Christians, Jesus uniquely fulfilled hundreds of prophecies in His short earthly lifetime – including the prayer prophecy of this faithful woman. They may not realize that the first time the Hebrew word for messiah appears in the Bible comes from the intervention of God for a couple who raised a boy who became Israel’s last judge and the first of the order of prophets: Samuel (Acts 3:24; Acts 13:20).
1 Samuel 1 describes Hannah as one of two wives of a man named Elkanah. She was barren, which was considered a misfortune, shame, and reproach (Genesis 30:23) in the ancient world because it was often viewed as divine punishment. Children were (and are) a blessing from God. Sometimes barren women were mistreated for what was beyond their control. Hannah received ridicule from Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah (1 Samuel 1:6). At the tabernacle of God for a festival, Hannah prayed for a son and vowed to give him to the LORD as a Nazarite – i.e., one who fully dedicated his life to God’s service. 1 Samuel 2 is Hannah’s hymn of thanks and prophetic prayer for God’s gift of a son. In several ways, it parallel’s Mary’s prayer after the angel came to tell her that she would give birth to the Messiah (Luke 1:46-55), commonly called The Magnificat.
The verse containing the Hebrew word for messiah is 1 Samuel 2:10 KJV: “The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.” What makes this prophecy even more remarkable is that it was given during the time of the judges before the Israelite monarchy. On the surface, the word messiah does not appear in this text. However, looking into the Hebrew word behind our English text reveals the first use of this term. Our English text renders the word anointed. It is the Hebrew word mashiyach and literally means “anointed one” – i.e., a consecrated person. David Guzik’s Enduring Word Commentary explains: “This is the first place in the Bible where Jesus is referred to as the Messiah. ‘She first applied to him the remarkable epithet MESSIAH in Hebrew, CHRIST in Greek, and ANOINTED in English, which was adopted by David, Nathan, Ethan, Isaiah, Daniel, and the succeeding prophets of the Old Testament; and by the apostles and inspired writers of the New’ (Hales, cited in Clarke).”
Anointing with oil set apart individuals for God to serve in three sacred offices. Easton’s Bible Dictionary explains: “Thus priests (Exodus 28:41; Exodus 40:15; Numbers 3:3), prophets (1 Kings 19:16), and kings (1 Samuel 9:16; 1 Samuel 16:3; 2 Samuel 12:7) were anointed with oil, and so consecrated to their respective offices.” From that time on, such a person was considered God’s choice to serve him in a divinely-appointed role. The Hebrew word mashiyach appears 39 times in the Old Testament and is translated either as “anointed” or “messiah” in the King James Version. One time it was even used of a Gentile Persian king, Cyrus, in Isaiah 45:1. Confirming this, Webster’s 1828 Dictionary gives this noun definition: “ANOINTED, n. The Messiah, or Son of God, consecrated to the great office of Redeemer; called the Lord’s anointed. Cyrus is also called the Lord’s anointed. Isaiah 45.”
The Dake Annotated Reference Bible note on 1 Samuel 2:10 explains how the word is used in the Old Testament: “anointed Hebrew: mashiyach (H4899), anointed, referring usually to a consecrated person, as a king, priest, or saint–especially the Messiah. This is the first reference to the Messiah where this term is used. From this point on others take up the theme of God’s Anointed One–the Messiah (2:35; Psalm 2:2; 45:7; Isaiah 61:1; Daniel 9:25-26; John 1:41; 4:25). It is used of men and Messiah:
- Messiah (1 Samuel 2:10; 2:35; Psalm 2:2; Isaiah 61:1)
- Saul (1 Samuel 10:1; 12:3; 12:5; 24:6; 24:10; 26:9; 26:11; 26:16; 26:23; 2 Samuel 1:14; 1:16; 1:21)
- David (2 Samuel 19:21; 22:51; 23:1; Psalm 18:50; 20:6; 28:8; 132:10; 132:17)
- Solomon (2 Chronicles 6:42)
- Cyrus of Persia (Isaiah 45:1)
- Joshua (Habakkuk 3:13)
- Several unidentified men (Psalm 84:9; 89:38; 89:51; 105:15; Lamentations 4:20)”
The New Testament twice refers to Jesus as the Messiah by employing the word Messias in the King James Bible. Smith’s Bible Dictionary illustrates, “The word is twice used in the New Testament of Jesus. John 1:41; John 4:25. Authorized Version, ‘Messias.'” The New Testament was written in Greek. It’s most frequent equivalent word for mashiyach is christos, from which we derive the English word, Christ. Thus, when Christians refer to Jesus Christ they are calling him Messiah. Christ is not His surname but His office as the anointed Savior of the world.
It is important for Christians when they read the word Christ in their New Testament that they immediately connect it to Messiah. Jesus knew He was the one anointed to this office: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, (19) To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19 KJV). Each time we refer to our Savior, Jesus Christ, we should remember that Christ refers to His office as God’s anointed Son who will someday sit upon the throne of David (Luke 1:32-33). We should also remember that the first person who was inspired by God to use this term was a godly woman, Hannah, whose prayer of gratitude was also a prophecy of the coming Messiah.
Kenneth Frank was born and raised in New Jersey, USA, and attended Ambassador College, graduating in 1973. He served in the Canadian ministry from 1973-1999, after which he returned to the USA to pastor churches in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina for 15 years. Having earned a BA degree from Ambassador College he later earned a MA degree from Grand Canyon University before being assigned to the Charlotte office to teach at Living University, now Living Education. Currently, he teaches the Survey of the Bible course to the on-campus students and writes the Digging Deeper column for our online Bible study program. He is married, has four children, and seven grandchildren.
Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: Lesson 45 “Samuel and Saul”
Featured Passage: 1 Samuel 9-12
The people wanted a king, so God had a particular man in mind for the job. This young man’s name was Saul, and he was from the tribe of Benjamin. Saul was the tallest and most handsome man in all the land! God told Samuel that he wanted Saul to be king. Little did Saul know about what was in store for him!
One day, Saul’s father told him to take a servant with him to look for his two missing donkeys. Saul and his servant searched and searched but they could not find them. They were about to give up when they remembered Samuel and decided that the man of God would be able to help them. He was, of course, able to help them, but not in the way that Saul expected. How could Saul know that the two missing donkeys were part of God’s plan to anoint a king over Israel?
Discuss:
- Saul was tall and handsome. Do you think this was part of the reason God chose him to be the first king?
- When Samuel first told Saul about God’s plan to make him king, how did Saul react? How do we react when someone tells us something surprising?
- Why do you think Saul kept it a secret that he had been anointed by Samuel to be the king?
- When Samuel went to proclaim to the people who would be king, where was Saul? Why do you think he was hiding?
- Later, God said that Saul was “small in his own eyes” at this time. This is another way of saying that he was “humble”. What exactly does it mean to be “humble” or “small in your own eyes?”
Memory Challenge:
1 Samuel 10:24
And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?” So all the people shouted and said, “Long live the king!”
Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: Lesson 47 “God Chooses a New King”
Featured Passage: 1 Samuel 16
King Saul made some very poor decisions and disobeyed God’s directions. God no longer wanted Saul to be king and Samuel told Saul what God had decided. Though Saul did not know it, God already had a new king in mind. God told Samuel to go to Bethlehem, a small town where a man named Jesse lived. Jesse had eight sons, and God had picked one of them to be anointed as king of Israel. Samuel looked at Jesse’s tall and handsome sons and thought he could guess who God picked. But God sees characteristics we do not see, and he had a perfect choice in mind that no one ever expected.
Discuss:
- When Samuel saw him, he was sure that Eliab was the one God had chosen. What was it about Eliab that made Samuel feel this way? How did God respond?
- Why was Samuel having a feast? Was David invited?
- David was a young lad when he was chosen to be the next king of Israel. What do you think it would be like for him to be told he would be the next king at such an early age?
- David was the youngest of his brothers, and he tended his father’s sheep. What lessons do you think David learned from being a shepherd? Do you have any responsibilities at home? What is it like to have that responsibility?
- What instrument did David play while he was caring for the sheep? Why was David given the job of playing music for Saul? God often uses us for the skills that we develop. What skills are you working on or would you like to master as you grow up? In what ways do you think God could use those skills?
Memory Challenge:
1 Samuel 16:7
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: Lesson 48 “David and Goliath”
Featured Passage: 1 Samuel 17
David had been anointed king of Israel, but he was still just a young shepherd. Though King Saul invited David to his court to be his armorbearer and to play the harp, to his family, he was still just the youngest brother who cared for the sheep. Now, around this time, the Philistines came to fight against the Israelites in a battle. The Philistines brought out their champion warrior and wanted to make a deal. When the Israelites saw that the Philistine warrior was a giant, they were very scared and ran to hide! Even King Saul hid in his tent. When David saw the situation, he knew someone had to do something about it – and that something could only be done with God’s help.
Discuss:
- What was the deal the Philistines wanted to make with the Israelites in the battle? Why did no one want to take up the challenge?
- How tall was Goliath?
- Why didn’t David take Saul’s armor? What things had David done to protect his sheep that let him know God would be with him?
- What was Goliath doing every day? Why do you think David was so upset by the things he heard Goliath saying?
- What do you think David was thinking about when he went out to fight Goliath? Do you think he was afraid? What should we do when we are feeling afraid?
- What did David take with him to defeat Goliath? After Goliath was dead, what did the armies of Israel do?
Memory Challenge:
1 Samuel 17:47
“Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: Lesson 49 “David and King Saul”
Featured Passage:1 Samuel 18-20
Saul knew that God had rejected him from being king and that David was eventually going to be king instead of him. After God helped David defeat Goliath, King Saul was grateful and proud of David and brought him to live with him and his family. David soon became the best of friends with Jonathan, Saul’s son, and the people treated him as a hero. However, Saul began to get extremely jealous of David because of all the attention the people were giving him. Even though David was becoming like part of his family, King Saul began to plot in his heart to destroy David.
Discuss:
- David had developed a relationship with God at a very young age (Psalms 71:5) What does it mean to have a relationship with God? How can someone your age begin to seek a relationship with God?
- What does the scripture mean when it says, “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David”? Do you have any close friends? Why is it important to have good friends?
- What was the message of the song that the people were singing about David and Saul? How did Saul respond when he heard it?
- Saul sent David on dangerous missions. When God gave David victories the people loved David even more. What was Saul’s reaction to David’s successes?
- Whom did Saul allow David to marry? Do you think Saul was happy about this marriage?
- Saul made it clear to Jonathan that he intended to kill David. What did Jonathan do about it?
Memory Challenge:
1 Samuel 18:14
And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him.
Programa Bíblico para Niños – Nivel 3: Lección 2 “Cómo puedo saber que Dios existe”
Pasaje Destacado: Salmos 19:1; Isaías 40:12, 18, 21–22, 25-26; Mateo 21:22; Romanos 1:20; 1 Tesalonicenses 5:21, 16–17; Hebreos 11:1–3; Santiago 1:5-6; 1 Juan 5:14-15
Dios quiere que tengamos fe, pero nuestra fe no debe ser ciega. La Palabra de Dios nos exhorta a que comprobemos todas las cosas y a encontrar la evidencia que demuestra la existencia de Dios. Explicaremos aquí solo unas pocas razones que nos permiten saber que Dios existe. En primer lugar, Dios dice que la creación declara Su gloria y que podemos conocerlo por medio de ella. La asombrosa complejidad de la una célula “simple”, demuestra la existencia de un Diseñador inteligente. La presencia de una creación exige que haya un Creador. Otra prueba de la existencia de Dios es la profecía cumplida. Solo Dios puede decir lo que sucederá miles de años antes de que suceda. La oración contestada es otra forma de descubrir que Dios es real. Dios quiere que sus hijos hablen con Él en oración. Ore a Dios con fe y obedeciendo Su voluntad, y su oración contestada le dará una prueba sólida de que Dios existe.
Discusión:
- Hable con sus hijos sobre la grandeza de Dios, su poder y majestad. Indique ejemplos y pídales que también den ejemplos.
- Ayude a sus hijos a comprender que está bien tener preguntas y que Dios tiene las respuestas.
- Pregúnteles por qué la mayoría de la gente no quiere creer que Dios es el Creador.
- Guíe la conversación para mostrar que la mente humana es por naturaleza hostil hacia Dios y no quiere obedecerle (Romanos 8:7).
- Conversen sobre el poder de la oración. Cite algunos ejemplos personales de sus oraciones que Dios le respondió. Anime a sus hijos a desarrollar una relación personal con Dios por medio de la oración.
Memorizar y revisar:
Isaías 46:9-10
“Acordaos de las cosas pasadas desde los tiempos antiguos; porque yo soy Dios, y no hay otro Dios, y nada hay semejante a mí, que anuncio lo por venir desde el principio, y desde la antigüedad lo que aún no era hecho; que digo: Mi consejo permanecerá, y haré todo lo que quiero”.
Programa Bíblico para Niños – Nivel 2: Lección 2 “¿Tuvo Dios un comienzo?”
Pasaje Destacado: Apocalipsis 1:8; Colosenses 1:15-16; Salmos 103:19; Hebreos 1:1–3; Josué 10:11–14; 2 Reyes 20:10–11; Mateo 14:25–33; Marcos 4:37–41; Apocalipsis 21:7; 2 Corintios 6:18; 1 Juan 3:1–3.
Los reinos vegetal, animal y humano son clasificaciones de seres vivos en nuestro mundo material. El mundo espiritual también tiene seres vivos, y el reino angélico tiene diferentes clasificaciones de ángeles. Sin embargo, hay un Reino por encima de todos los demás, sea material o espiritual: El Reino de Dios. Dios está en un nivel de existencia que es difícil de entender para los humanos. Dios tiene vida inherente y es eterno. Dios fue, es y siempre será. Dios es el Creador de todas las cosas, sean espirituales o materiales, por lo tanto, Dios está por encima de todas las cosas. Como Dios creó y controla todas las cosas, no está limitado ni por las leyes físicas, ni por el tiempo, ni por el espacio.
Es por eso que Dios pudo evitar que el Sol se ocultara para Josué, y pudo devolver el Sol diez grados para Ezequías. También, por eso fue que Jesucristo pudo caminar sobre el agua y calmar el mar rugiente. La buena noticia es que el Reino de Dios es una familia, y todo ser humano que haya existido, tiene el potencial de ser miembro la familia de Dios. ¡Naciste para ser parte de la familia de Dios!
Discusión:
- Hable con sus hijos sobre la grandeza de Dios, su poder y majestad. Señale algunos ejemplos y pídales que también den ejemplos.
- Explique el hecho de que Dios no está sujeto a las leyes de la física (como la gravedad, el magnetismo, el movimiento de los planetas, etc.), lo que significa que puede hacer cosas milagrosas. Describa algunos milagros mencionados en la Biblia que desafían las leyes físicas.
- Explique que Dios nos está ofreciendo vida eterna en su familia como hijos suyos. Seremos miembros de la familia de Dios (1 Juan 3:2).
- Nuestra herencia es el universo entero. Quizás todos tengan su propia galaxia. Pregunte a sus hijos qué harían para heredar el universo. ¿Qué daría a cambio de la vida eterna? ¡Nada!
Memorizar y revisar:
Colosenses 1:16-17
“Porque en él fueron creadas todas las cosas, las que hay en los cielos y las que hay en la tierra, visibles e invisibles; sean tronos, sean dominios, sean principados, sean potestades; todo fue creado por medio de él y para él. Y él es antes de todas las cosas, y todas las cosas en él subsisten”.
Programa Bíblico para Niños – Nivel 1: Lección 2 “La Recreación: Días 1 y 2”
Pasaje Destacado: Génesis 1:1-8
La semana de la recreación ocurrió millones de años después de que Dios creara el universo al principio. Una tercera parte de los ángeles se rebelaron contra el gobierno de Dios, causaron el caos en todo el universo y dejaron la Tierra desordenada y vacía. Estando la Tierra en ese estado, Dios puso todo en orden. Reorganizó la Tierra para que fuera apta para la vida humana. Lo primero que Dios hizo fue restaurar la luz en la Tierra y, en el segundo día, restauró el firmamento.
Discusión:
Ayude a sus hijos a comprender que transcurrió mucho tiempo entre los sucesos descritos en los versículos 1 y 2 del capítulo 1 del Génesis.
Pregunte a su hijos cómo se imaginan la Tierra cuando todo estaba oscuro y cubierto por agua y nubes espesas.
Pregunte si ese ambiente era propicio para la vida humana.
Explique que Dios hace las cosas en etapas, y que cuando re-creó la Tierra, comenzó separando la luz de las tinieblas.
Ayude a sus hijos a comprender que Dios decretó el inicio de cada día a la puesta del Sol, al atardecer.
pregúntele a su hijo qué hizo Dios el segundo día de la recreación.
Explique que la atmósfera, el firmamento azul y las nubes fueron ordenados en ese día.
Memorizar y revisar:
Ayude a sus hijos a memorizar los días de la semana de la creación:
Día 1 – Dios separa la luz de las tinieblas.
Día 2 – El cielo y las nubes son separados de las aguas de abajo.
Dia 3 – La Tierra seca es separada de los mares. Las plantas son creadas.
Día 4 – El Sol, la Luna y las estrellas son designados para iluminar la Tierra, para separar el día de la noche y para señalar las estaciones.
Día 5 – Creación de las aves y los peces.
Día 6 – Creación de los animales terrestres y el hombre.
Día 7 – Dios creó el sábado descansando.
Children’s Bible Program – Level 1: Lesson 50 “David and Abigail”
Featured Passage: 1 Samuel 25
David was on the run from King Saul, and with God’s help he and his mighty men managed to stay at least one step ahead of the jealous king. They hid in caves, fought against the Philistines, and always stayed on the lookout for Saul and his men. Though King Saul did not like it, most people knew who David was and that he was in line to be the next king of Israel, so they would help David with whatever he needed. One day, David and his men were hungry, so they stopped at the home of a wealthy man named Nabal who they knew would have plenty of extra food to spare. But, instead of helping them out, Nabal turned the men away and refused to share anything. Angry at Nabal’s foolish decision, David told his men to get their swords ready. David and his men headed down to the household, swords in hand, when suddenly they were met by someone on the way who had an urgent request.
Discuss:
- Who was Nabal? What does his name mean? Why do you think David and his men chose to stop at Nabal’s house to get food to eat?
- Why do you think Nabal refused to share with David? Why was David so upset by Nabal’s response?
- Who was Abigail? How did Abigail find out what was going on? What did she do when she found out what Nabal had done? What can we learn from Abigail’s actions?
- How did Abigail act when she made her request? What did David do when she did?
- What happened to Nabal? What did David do when he found out?
Memory Challenge:
1 Samuel 25:32
Then David said to Abigail: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me!”