REMARKABLE DEDICATION OF MOTHERHOOD
"If Thou wilt . .
. give . . . I will give" 1
Sam. 1:11
These words constitute
the central terms of the vow which Hannah VOWED to Jehovah. The story is full
of human interest, but there is much Divine light upon it. The proper and
beautiful passion for motherhood drove this devout woman of the Hebrew people
to Jehovah in PRAYER; and He made it His way of raising up for His people one
who was to be their leader in strangely difficult times. Whatever may have been
the motive of Hannah's desire the method
she followed is one which is very full of suggestiveness. This PRE-NATAL DEDICATION of a life to the service of God was an act of faith; and it was one
which, by the working of wonderful and mysterious laws, produced definite
results in the life of the child. The question is still sometimes asked as to
when we should begin to deal with our children as to their relationship with
God. Does not this story afford a somewhat startling answer to the question?
Here was a woman who by an act of solemn faith deliberately dedicated her child
to God, not only before he was born, but while he was not yet conceived. In
such an act what REMARKABLE DEDICATION OF MOTHERHOOD was manifested! With all
the spiritual influence of such a vow upon her, how carefully Hannah would
guard, first herself and then her child, in order that he might be worthy of
the HIGH SERVICE to which he was thus dedicated! The old-fashioned mothers who
still believe that "children are a heritage of Jehovah"
are those who give them—the children—opportunities in life which are denied to
those who are thought of in other wise. Such dedication of children by mothers
cannot ensure the dedication of themselves by the children, but, it makes it very difficult for the
children to go wrong ultimately. This is a great subject, and worthy of
careful pondering. (See also article on 2 Tim. 1:5 Reward of Genuine Faith for such faith in the N.T.)
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