FRUIT FROM THE WOMB
1 Samuel Chapter 1
This is the story of Hannah and her desire for children. Every Hebrew woman longed to give birth to a male child, for since the time when Eve was given the promise of a Seed who would come from woman, there was a possibility that every son born could be the Messiah or in His line.
The son therefore represents the promise that is contained within each one of us lying dormant until conceived and birthed by the Holy Spirit. This sermon examines the story of this woman and the birth of Samuel, a prophet from whom not one word he spoke “dropped to the ground”.
Conceiving and giving birth is usually a picture of the process of the believer coming into their promise. It’s interesting to note that 9 months is symbolic of the pregnancy period e.g. Job’s trial was 9 months.
Hannah – Hebrew woman who was barren – no promise, no blessings, no inheritance to the messianic line. Barrenness was assumed to be the result of curse - Deuteronomy 28:18 “Cursed shall be the fruit of your body …”
Yet notice the cause of her barrenness - 1 Samuel 1:5-6 But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the LORD had closed her womb.6 And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the LORD had closed her womb.
Her situation had been caused by God here is a principle –
Deuteronomy 8:1-5,16 “Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers.2 “And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.3 “So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.4 “Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years.5 “You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you.16 “who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end—
God is constantly testing us – to see what is in our hearts – to refine our faith – to produce fruit that will be lasting – to do us good in the end.
THE TESTING GROUND
• From the country of Ephraim - Genesis 41:52 and the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
• The Feast of Tabernacles - Deuteronomy 16:13-15 “You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress.14 “And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates.15 “Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the LORD your God in the place which the LORD chooses, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice.
• The Place Shiloh - Joshua 18:1 Now the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of meeting there. And the land was subdued before them.
Hannah came from Ephraim a constant reminder of fruitfulness, yet she was barren. She was celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles at Shiloh, a festival celebrating the produce that God had given in the place of His Presence. Again what was she producing she felt deserted by God’s Presence. This is the testing ground of our lives. God gives us promises, the evidence of His word, the testimonies of others lead us to believe these things are possible but what do we do when they don’t happen? This is the test of the heart do we trust the God of Promise or do we look for the promise?
In the midst of testing there comes the attack of the enemy, and the opinion of others.
THE TESTINGS OF ATTACK
• The Attack of Provocation - 1 Samuel 1:7 So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat. This is the attack of others who are of the opinion that nothing will happen. They are tools in the Devils hands who try to shatter our dreams.
• The Attack of Misunderstanding - 1 Samuel 1:8 Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” Here is the attack of “Why can’t you just be happy”? How can you when you know there is more? Her husband presumed satisfaction.
• The Attack of Accusation - 1 Samuel 1:13, 14 Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.14 So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” The High Priest judged her condition. Rev 12:11 “The accuser of the Brethren”
THREE PRINCIPLES OF FRUITFULNESS
These are three spiritual principles that we need to learn in the process of God bringing us to fruition.
GOD WANTS US TO SURRENDER NOT STRUGGLE
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hannah knew who to turn to – God – but she could not release her burden to the Lord. God gives us a glimpse of our future so that in attempt to bring it into being we exhaust ourselves and submit it Him. 1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Her testing ground was her spiritual lesson:-
From the country of Ephraim – the example of Joseph’s life – from Pit to Prison to Palace – Ephraim was born to Joseph – fruitfulness came after process. Fruitfulness is from the source of our being – The Holy Spirit indwelling brings fruit, yet we must be pruned to bear more! John 15
The Feast of Tabernacles – the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress – Threshing of grain – beaten with a stick – trampled upon by oxen (ministers!) separation of chaff and grain by being thrown into the wind (of the Spirit) – Winepress – placed in a stone pit and stomped upon – crush the juice from the grape. In both these processes just enough pressure was used so that the seed would not become crushed and the produce bitter.
The Place Shiloh – the place of His Presence and His Power - Zechariah 4:6 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts. Hosts – Shiloh)
In the Church today we need to understand that God is building His Church, His way. Look at the example now of Elizabeth and Mary in their turning from being barren to birthing.
Luke 1:36-37 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luke 1:35-37 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.
And for us? Our source of conceiving and birthing the promise?
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
WHEN WE SURRENDER WE REAP A SPIRITUAL HARVEST
1 Samuel 1:17-20 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”18 And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.19 Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.20 So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”
The Lord remembered her – meaning He acted on her behalf.
Three things Hannah reaped:
1.Peace – she went her way – she ate something – she was no longer sad.
2.Promise - Samuel – prophet, priest, judge, anointer of Kings.
3.Grace - 3 sons – 2 daughters – 1 Sam 2:19,21 5 = Grace
AS WE CONTINUALLY SURRENDER TO GOD HE GIVES US A GREATER HARVEST
Samuel means asked or heard of the Lord. Hannah was no longer barren but fruitful and what fruit. She had learnt to trust in God and in so doing she knew that God was well able to take care of him that was brought forth so she offered him back to God, she dedicated him to the Lord.
Notice 1 Samuel 1:24 Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh. And the child was young.
Three Bulls, or three year old Bull = three equals the greatest dimension, bulls speak of total surrender. As Jesus gave Himself on the Cross He became our righteousness.
Flour speaks of an offering for peace.
Wine speaks of joy in the Lord.
In giving back to God Hannah obtained the Kingdom of God!
Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ no matter what you are going through be encouraged. Ministers and Leaders give it all to God and see His Produce come forth.
Blessings Pastor Mike.
Isaiah 66:9 Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?” says the LORD. “Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?” says your God.
