January 30 & 31, 2008

I didn't get a chance to post yesterday so I'll include it here. We've been focusing on 1 Samuel this week, and yesterday spent time talking about Hannah and her son Samuel. We talked about how hard it must have been for Hannah to not have a child as that was such an important part of their society. On top of the social implications, we learned that Peninnah provoked and vexed her 'sore.' In other words, she really rubbed her face in her bareness it.
Our main focus of the day really turned out to be how we react when we have a problem. Hannah had a problem - for her it was huge. Peninnah wasn't just a neighbor, or a distant relative - it was her husbands other wife...it was probably there in her face quite often. How do we deal with problems we have?
Hannah went to the temple and poured out her soul to the Lord. I'm certain that this wasn't a one time thing - I'm sure that she'd been praying for her desire (a son) for many years. Most likely fasting and praying. Hannah made a vow to the Lord that she would dedicate her child to Him. She wanted something so badly that she was completely willing to make a huge sacrifice to receive it.
One of my thoughts about this goes back to a Seminary teacher Inservice Fireside I attended in 1997 with Marlin K. Jensen. He discussed that sometimes we have to be willing to make big sacrifices - and show our willingness to the Lord in order to receive blessings. Sometimes this is a test of our faith, but sometimes we have to be willing to give, make, or personally pay for the blessings we receive. Of course, we pay through our faith and our righteousness and it is always according to the Lord and His plan. However, sometimes it is necessary.
I question - would Hannah have been as willing to give the Lord her son if she had easily conceived? Was she more willing because of her bareness? I think so. Israel was in a state of apostasy. They didn't have a prophet - they'd been led by Judges, and the Lord needed a leader for his people. Samuel was designated a leader prior to his birth. Additionally, it is fascinating to contrast Samuel and his life with the life of Samson (who was also a miracle - born to a barren mother). While both were Nazarites (dedicated to the Lord, didn't drink wine or from the vine, and their hair was not cut) Samuel listened to the Lord, whereas Samson used his powers etc for his own betterment.
Today we finished the video we began yesterday which focused on women and their role in the world. The world (aka Satan) is at war with women. The world tells us that women have to be 'equal,' they have to have careers and be successful. Unfortunately, many believe this philosophy. The Lord needs righteous women to raise children unto the Lord. One of the students pointed out that if one woman gets onto the wrong cycle - career more important than family, it begins a cycle, and has far reaching effects not only on that family, but upon society as a whole. Satan wages his war against those who have the influence to teach children and shape the world and society. One of my favorite quotes states, "The hand that rocks the cradle rocks the world." How true it is!
Moving forward today we discussed Eli's sons who were unrighteous priests. They were stealing from the sacrifices and 'laying with women' at the doors of the tabernacle. Pretty awful. Even worse though, is that Eli completely ignored their behavior, and honored his sons (by not punishing them) more than he honored the Lord. As such, we see in chapter 3, the word of the Lord was "precious" or as explained by a scholar - SCARCE. Verse one also tells us that there was no open revelation. This once again helps us understand that they were in apostasy as there were no prophets or divine revelation. Going further - we discussed how Samuel was called. We talked about how we respond when the Lord calls us. How do we respond? Do we say - Lord speak?, or do we think our Bishop is crazy and do what we think is best?
Finally, we ended class looking at the verse (Chapter 3) that tells us that Samuel grew and he grew with the Lord. This particular verse tells us that he grew spiritually. It also tells us how. It says that he did not let the words of the Lord fall to the ground. This means that he was valiant and obedient. He didn't discard the Lords words/prophets words/scriptures. He studied them, and was exactly obedient. As he did this, his faith and obedience grew. We talked about some of the things which our prophets have warned against which we allow to fall to the ground. The students suggested music, media, language to name a few.
We ended class with the challenge to examine our lives and see which of the prophets counsel we are allowing to fall to the ground, and working to change so that we don't let the Lords words 'fall to the ground.'
We will work on passing off Isaiah 29 tomorrow and then try to catch up to 1 Samuel 11 tomorrow.