Children Are Yahweh's Blessing
Deuteronomy 33:24 reads,
33:24
Of Asher he said,Blessed be Asher with children;
Let him be acceptable to his brothers,
Let him dip his foot in oil.
Aren't children Yahweh's blessing to his people?
Judges 13 reads,
13:1
The children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh; and Yahweh delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.13:2
There was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and didn’t bear. 13:3The angel of Yahweh appeared to the woman, and said to her, See now, you are barren, and don’t bear; but you shall conceive, and bear a son. 13:4Now therefore please beware and drink no wine nor strong drink, and don’t eat any unclean thing: 13:5for, behold, you shall conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head; for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb: and he shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.13:6
Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came to me, and his face was like the face of the angel of God, very awesome; and I didn’t ask him whence he was, neither did he tell me his name: 13:7but he said to me, Behold, you shall conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing; for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.13:8
Then Manoah entreated Yahweh, and said, Oh, Lord, please let the man of God whom you did send come again to us, and teach us what we shall do to the child who shall be born.13:9
God listened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again to the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah, her husband, wasn’t with her. 13:10The woman made haste, and ran, and told her husband, and said to him, Behold, the man has appeared to me, who came to me the other day. 13:11Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said to him, Are you the man who spoke to the woman? He said, I am. 13:12Manoah said, Now let your words happen: what shall be the ordering of the child, and how shall we do to him? 13:13The angel of Yahweh said to Manoah, Of all that I said to the woman let her beware. 13:14She may not eat of anything that comes of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing; all that I commanded her let her observe. 13:15Manoah said to the angel of Yahweh, I pray you, let us detain you, that we may make ready a kid for you. 13:16The angel of Yahweh said to Manoah, Though you detain me, I won’t eat of your bread; and if you will make ready a burnt offering, you must offer it to Yahweh. For Manoah didn’t know that he was the angel of Yahweh. 13:17Manoah said to the angel of Yahweh, What is your name, that when your words happen, we may honor you? 13:18The angel of Yahweh said to him, Why do you ask after my name, seeing it is wonderful? 13:19So Manoah took the kid with the meal-offering, and offered it on the rock to Yahweh: and the angel did wondrously, and Manoah and his wife looked on. 13:20For it happened, when the flame went up toward the sky from off the altar, that the angel of Yahweh ascended in the flame of the altar: and Manoah and his wife looked on; and they fell on their faces to the ground.13:21
But the angel of Yahweh did no more appear to Manoah or to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of Yahweh. 13:22Manoah said to his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God. 13:23But his wife said to him, If Yahweh were pleased to kill us, he wouldn’t have received a burnt offering and a meal-offering at our hand, neither would he have shown us all these things, nor would at this time have told such things as these.13:24
The woman bore a son, and named him Samson: and the child grew, and Yahweh blessed him. 13:25The Spirit of Yahweh began to move him in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
Samson Was Dedicated To Yahweh Before His Conception
Doesn't 13:2 show that Manoah's wife was barren? Doesn't 13:3 show that the angel of Yahweh prophesied to her that even though she was barren and didn't bear she would indeed conceive and bear a son? Didn't the angel of Yahweh tell Manoah's wife that the prophesied child was dedicated to Yahweh's service, for the salvation of Israel?
Manoah And His Wife Were Faithful Servants of Yahweh
Doesn't 13:8 reveal that Manoah's heart was one to serve Yahweh, seeking instruction from Yahweh concerning how Yahweh's purpose for the prophesied son was to be fulfilled? Shouldn't servants of Yahweh have a heart such as this, seeking instruction from Yahweh concerning how to serve Yahweh appropriately?
Doesn't 13:12 reveal that Manoah was a man of faith, believing that the words that Yahweh spoke to both his wife and him would indeed be fulfilled? Shouldn't servants of Yahweh likewise believe Yahweh's word to them, whatever the word is that Yahweh gives them?
Doesn't 13:22-23 show that Manoah's wife understood how Yahweh worked with human beings? Doesn't this indicate that both Manoah and his wife were indeed Yahweh's servants?
Yahweh Fulfilled His Word To Manoah And His Wife
Didn't Yahweh fulfil his word, as seen in 13:24? Isn't Yahweh truly faithful to any word that he speaks?
1 Samuel 1:1-2:11 reads,
1:1
Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of the hill-country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite: 1:2and he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 1:3This man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice to Yahweh of Hosts in Shiloh. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, priests to Yahweh, were there.1:4
When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: 1:5but to Hannah he gave a double portion; for he loved Hannah, but Yahweh had shut up her womb. 1:6Her rival provoked her sore, to make her fret, because Yahweh had shut up her womb. 1:7As he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of Yahweh, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. 1:8Elkanah her husband said to her, Hannah, why weep you? And why don’t you eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons? 1:9So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk.Now Eli the priest was sitting on his seat by the door-post of the temple of Yahweh. 1:10She was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to Yahweh, and wept sore. 1:11She vowed a vow, and said, Yahweh of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid, and remember me, and not forget your handmaid, but will give to your handmaid a man-child, then I will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come on his head.
1:12
It happened, as she continued praying before Yahweh, that Eli marked her mouth. 1:13Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. 1:14Eli said to her, How long will you be drunken? Put away your wine from you. 1:15Hannah answered, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Yahweh. 1:16Don’t count your handmaid for a wicked woman; for out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation have I spoken hitherto. 1:17Then Eli answered, Go in peace; and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him. 1:18She said, Let your handmaid find favor in your sight. So the woman went her way, and ate; and her facial expression wasn’t sad any more.1:19
They rose up in the morning early, and worshiped before Yahweh, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and Yahweh remembered her. 1:20It happened, when the time was come about, that Hannah conceived, and bore a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of Yahweh. 1:21The man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer to Yahweh the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. 1:22But Hannah didn’t go up; for she said to her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned; and then I will bring him, that he may appear before Yahweh, and there abide forever. 1:23Elkanah her husband said to her, Do what seems you good; wait until you have weaned him; only Yahweh establish his word. So the woman waited and nursed her son, until she weaned him.1:24
When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, and one ephah of meal, and a bottle of wine, and brought him to the house of Yahweh in Shiloh: and the child was young. 1:25They killed the bull, and brought the child to Eli. 1:26She said, Oh, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to Yahweh. 1:27For this child I prayed; and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of him: 1:28therefore also I have granted him to Yahweh; as long as he lives he is granted to Yahweh. He worshiped Yahweh there.2:1
Hannah prayed, and said:My heart exults in Yahweh;
My horn is exalted in Yahweh;
My mouth is enlarged over my enemies;
Because I rejoice in your salvation.
2:2
There is none holy as Yahweh;For there is none besides you,
Neither is there any rock like our God.
2:3
Talk no more so exceeding proudly;Don’t let arrogance come out of your mouth;
For Yahweh is a God of knowledge,
By him actions are weighed.
2:4
The bows of the mighty men are broken;Those who stumbled are girded with strength.
2:5
Those who were full have hired out themselves for bread;Those who were hungry have ceased to hunger:
Yes, the barren has borne seven;
She who has many children languishes.
2:6
Yahweh kills, and makes alive:He brings down to Sheol, and brings up.
2:7
Yahweh makes poor, and makes rich:He brings low, he also lifts up.
2:8
He raises up the poor out of the dust,He lifts up the needy from the dunghill,
To make them sit with princes,
Inherit the throne of glory:
For the pillars of the earth are Yahweh’s,
He has set the world on them.
2:9
He will keep the feet of his holy ones;But the wicked shall be put to silence in darkness;
For by strength shall no man prevail.
2:10
Those who strive with Yahweh shall be broken to pieces;Against them will he thunder in the sky:
Yahweh will judge the ends of the earth;
He will give strength to his king,
Exalt the horn of his anointed.
2:11
Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. The child did minister to Yahweh before Eli the priest.
Doesn't 1:5 show that the reason Hannah was barren was because Yahweh had shut up her womb? Doesn't this again show that Yahweh has power to shut up the womb?
Elkanah Loved Hannah Despite Her Barrenness
Doesn't 1:5 also show that Elkanah loved Hannah his wife, despite the fact that she was barren? Doesn't this imply that his love for her was not conditioned on her bearing children, but that he loved her regardless of the fact that she bore him no children?
Hannah Wanted More Than Elkanah's Love
Doesn't 1:8 show that Elkanah's love for insufficient for Hannah? Didn't she desire more? Didn't she desire to bear children of her own, in addition to receiving her husband's love? Doesn't this suggest that bearing children is indeed very important to some women, those who desire to see Yahweh's purpose for human beings fulfilled in them? Nevertheless, isn't it also the case that there are some women who have rebelled against Yahweh's word and do not desire to bear children?
The Nature Of Hannah's Prayer To Yahweh
Doesn't 1:10-11 reveal the nature of Hannah's prayer to Yahweh? Didn't she propose to Yahweh a deal, and bind herself to honour her side of the deal provided Yahweh honoured what she proposed that Yahweh honour? Wasn't she basically asking Yahweh to invest in her, and that Yahweh would reap returns out of the investment that she proposed to Yahweh to take up? In other words, isn't it clear that she wasn't asking Yahweh for a free gift, but for an investment that would be to Yahweh's direct benefit and also to her benefit?
Shouldn't Yahweh's servants learn from Hannah? Shouldn't Yahweh's servants learn that there are times when Yahweh does not give us free gifts, but seeks to invest in us, if only we are willing to accept the investment from him and honour our side of the investment bargain? Shouldn't barren servants of Yahweh pray to Yahweh in the manner that Hannah prayed? Shouldn't barren servants of Yahweh propose investment deals to Yahweh, undertaking or vowing to honour their side of the proposed deal provided Yahweh provides the investment? Shouldn't barren servants of Yahweh propose to give back to Yahweh what they are seeking from Yahweh?
Doesn't 1:13 show that Hannah prayed her most intense prayer in her heart, and did not audibly vocalise it? Doesn't this show that it is not necessary to vocalise prayers to Yahweh in order for Yahweh to hear one? Doesn't this show that Yahweh indeed hears us even when we speak to him in our hearts?
Doesn't 1:16 testify that Hannah was not a wicked woman?
Be Content Once You Have Prayed To Yahweh
Doesn't 1:18 show that once Hannah had poured out her complaint and proposal before Yahweh she ceased to be sad, confident that Yahweh had received her plea, and that the rest of the matter was entirely in Yahweh's hands? Shouldn't Yahweh's servants take the same attitude that Hannah took, once they have poured out their pleas to Yahweh and are confident that he has received those pleas? Shouldn't they be content to allow Yahweh to answer them at Yahweh's appointed time and in the manner of Yahweh's choosing?
Yahweh Accepted Hannah's Proposal
Doesn't 1:19-20 show that Yahweh accepted Hannah's proposal and honoured his side of the bargain? Doesn't this show that when Yahweh's servants put before him good proposals, of mutual benefit, Yahweh indeed responds to such proposals? Shouldn't Yahweh servants place before Yahweh good proposals, of mutual benefit? Won't Yahweh positively respond to such proposals? Won't Yahweh speedily answer such proposals?
Hannah Was An Honourable Woman
Doesn't 1:22-23 show that Hannah was an honourable woman, fully intending to honour her side of the investment deal that she had struck with Yahweh? Shouldn't Yahweh's servants be equally honourable, fulfilling their side of any deal they strike with Yahweh? Isn't it also the case that Yahweh dealt with Hannah because she knew that Hannah was an honourable woman who would keep to her side of the bargain? Shouldn't Yahweh's servants be equally as honourable, that Yahweh may be able to rely on their word in any proposal they put before Yahweh?
Doesn't 1:26-28 show that Hannah fulfilled her side of the bargain when the time had come for her to do so? And didn't the priest Eli rejoice greatly at the fulfilment of Hannah's prayer, and show that joy by worshipping Yahweh? Shouldn't Yahweh's servants worship Yahweh in praise and joy when he indeed fulfils or answers their prayers?
Yahweh Delivers The Barren Out Of Their Affliction
Doesn't Samuel's miraculous birth indeed prove that Yahweh's hand is not shortened that he cannot deliver the barren out of their affliction? Didn't Yahweh deliver barren Hannah from her affliction, showing that not only does he have power to close the womb, but that he also has power to open it? Doesn't this show that Yahweh, who created the womb, has complete authority over it? Shouldn't servants of Yahweh rely on Yahweh with respect to matters of their wombs, leaving Yahweh to determine when to open it and when to close it?
Yahweh Graciously Gave Hannah More Children
1 Samuel 2:18-21 reads,
2:18
But Samuel ministered before Yahweh, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. 2:19Moreover his mother made him a little robe, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 2:20Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, Yahweh give you seed of this woman for the petition which was asked of Yahweh. They went to their own home. 2:21Yahweh visited Hannah, and she conceived, and bore three sons and two daughters. The child Samuel grew before Yahweh.Doesn't 2:20-21 show that Yahweh further blessed Hannah, giving her more children on account of Hannah having honoured her word to Yahweh in giving Samuel to Yahweh? Wasn't this now Yahweh graciously blessing Hannah, without seeking a specific return from Hannah greater than what he requires of all parents? Isn't Yahweh likely to act in the same manner with those servants of his who have proved faithful in observing their deals with Yahweh? Won't Yahweh further bless them above and beyond the terms of the original proposal agreed between them?
Childlessness Is A Punishment For Sin
1 Samuel 15:32-33 reads,
15:32
Then said Samuel, Bring you here to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. Agag came to him cheerfully. Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past. 15:33Samuel said, As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women. Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before Yahweh in Gilgal.Isn't childlessness a punishment that Yahweh brings upon those who sin against him and upon their families? Didn't Agag's mother become childless on account of Agag's heinous sins against many people?
Michal Died Childless For Despising Her Husband
2 Samuel 6:14-23 reads,
6:14
David danced before Yahweh with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. 6:15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of Yahweh with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet. 6:16It was so, as the ark of Yahweh came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before Yahweh; and she despised him in her heart. 6:17They brought in the ark of Yahweh, and set it in its place, in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace-offerings before Yahweh. 6:18When David had made an end of offering the burnt offering and the peace-offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh of Hosts. 6:19He dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a cake of bread, and a portion of flesh, and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed everyone to his house. 6:20Then David returned to bless his household. Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself! 6:21David said to Michal, It was before Yahweh, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Yahweh, over Israel: therefore will I play before Yahweh. 6:22I will be yet more vile than this, and will be base in my own sight: but of the handmaids of whom you have spoken, of them shall I be had in honor. 6:23Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.Wasn't Michal the daughter of Saul punished with barrenness on account of the contempt that she had shown David her husband? Doesn't this show that it is important for wives to be respectful to their husbands, holding them in high honour? Doesn't this also show that some wives are punished with barrenness on account of dishonouring their husbands? Doesn't this show that barrenness is sometimes a curse on account of one's sin?
Shunammite Woman Blessed With A Son On Account Of Her Kindness
2 Kings 4:12-17 reads,
4:12
He said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. When he had called her, she stood before him. 4:13He said to him, Say now to her, Behold, you have been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for you? Would you be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? She answered, I dwell among my own people. 4:14He said, What then is to be done for her? Gehazi answered, Most assuredly she has no son, and her husband is old. 4:15He said, Call her. When he had called her, she stood in the door. 4:16He said, At this season, when the time comes round, you shall embrace a son. She said, No, my lord, you man of God, do not lie to your handmaid. 4:17The woman conceived, and bore a son at that season, when the time came round, as Elisha had said to her.Didn't the Shunammite woman miraculously receive a son, even though her husband was old and therefore probably passed the time for child conception? Didn't she receive a son on account of her good service for servants of Yahweh - Elisha and his servant Gehazi? Doesn't this show that sons are blessings Yahweh sometimes rewards his faithful servants with, even when they do not specifically request them? Shouldn't Yahweh's servants faithfully serve Yahweh, including doing good to Yahweh's servants, that Yahweh may indeed bless them, even giving them sons when they do not have sons?
The Barren Of The Wicked Are Not Delivered
Job 24:13-21 reads,
24:13
"These are of those who rebel against the light;24:14
The murderer rises with the light.24:15
The eye also of the adulterer waits for the twilight,24:16
In the dark they dig through houses.24:17
For the morning is to all of them like thick darkness,24:18
"They are foam on the surface of the waters.24:19
Drought and heat consume the snow waters;24:20
The womb shall forget him.24:21
He devours the barren who don’t bear.Doesn't Yahweh show, through Job's words, that he does not receive the pleas of the barren that are of the company of those who rebel against him? Doesn't this show that for barren people to bear they must indeed repent of their sins against Yahweh and become his servants?
A Psalm For Barren Women Blessed With Children
Psalm 113 reads,
113:1
Praise Yah!113:2
Blessed be the name of Yahweh,113:3
From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same,113:4
Yahweh is high above all nations,113:5
Who is like Yahweh, our God,113:7
He raises up the poor out of the dust.113:8
That he may set him with princes,113:9
He settles the barren woman in her home,Praise Yah!
Doesn't Psalm 113:9 show that Yahweh indeed settles the barren woman in her home, among barren women of those who are his servants? Doesn't Yahweh set her as a joyful mother of children? Doesn't this show that Yahweh truly hears the prayers of his servants and delivers them from their sorrows and afflictions? Doesn't Yahweh replace their sorrows with joy, such as comes with being a mother of children?
Prophesied Fruitfulness Of Yahweh's Barren Wife
Isaiah 54 reads,
54:1
Sing, barren, you who didn’t bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who did not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, says Yahweh. 54:2Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of your habitations; don’t spare: lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. 54:3For you shall spread aboard on the right hand and on the left; and your seed shall possess the nations, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. 54:4Don’t be afraid; for you shall not be ashamed: neither be confounded; for you shall not be put to shame: for you shall forget the shame of your youth; and the reproach of your widowhood shall you remember no more. 54:5For your Maker is your husband; Yahweh of Hosts is his name: and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; the God of the whole earth shall he be called. 54:6For Yahweh has called you as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even a wife of youth, when she is cast off, says your God. 54:7For a small moment have I forsaken you; but with great mercies will I gather you. 54:8In overflowing wrath I hid my face from you for a moment; but with everlasting lovingkindness will I have mercy on you, says Yahweh your Redeemer. 54:9For this is as the waters of Noah to me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I will not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. 54:10For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but my lovingkindness shall not depart from you, neither shall my covenant of peace be removed, says Yahweh who has mercy on you. 54:11you afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires. 54:12I will make your pinnacles of rubies, and your gates of emeralds, and all your border of precious stones. 54:13All your children shall be taught of Yahweh; and great shall be the peace of your children. 54:14In righteousness shall you be established: you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not be afraid; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. 54:15Behold, they may gather together, but not by me: whoever shall gather together against you shall fall because of you. 54:16Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals, and brings forth a weapon for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. 54:17No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of Yahweh, and their righteousness which is of me, says Yahweh.Doesn't Yahweh show that he will greatly bless his barren servants with more children than those who already will have given birth to children? Doesn't Yahweh further show that he will teach those very children, and great shall their peace be? Isn't this the heritage of his servants? And shouldn't the delivered barren servants of Yahweh rejoice in song at their deliverance, worshipping and praising Yahweh their deliverer?
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