The Small Stories

                         

We all know the Bible stories about Moses, David, and Jesus. Each of them came off as larger than life figures who accomplished unbelievable feats. Moses took on the Pharaoh and led the Hebrews to freedom. David killed a giant as a boy and went on to become one of the most renowned kings in history. Jesus lived a miraculous life and died to save humanity. Their stories are so impressive that even most nonbelievers have heard them at some point. Those three and a few others in the Bible were the protagonists of the big stories.

However, the Bible isn’t composed solely of big stories. Not every character in the Bible accomplished something world changing. That doesn’t mean those characters aren’t important or that God wasn’t using them to teach vital lessons. Consider Hannah and Eli. You’ll find their stories in 1 Samuel. Both are outshined by primary figures like Samuel, David, and even Saul. Still, they both serve as good examples of just how dependent the big stories are on the small stories.

Hannah was not a figure of great historical importance. The most notable thing about her was that she was a praying woman, but that in itself is what makes her so special. Hannah really wanted a child, but she couldn’t conceive. Her inability to have a child brought her great shame and misery. She was so distraught that she cried out to God and made an interesting proposal.

Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head - 1 Samuel 1:9-11

Hannah wanted the experience of having a child so bad that she was willing to give that child up. God was moved by her prayer and granted her wish. He gave her a son. Hannah was not just a praying woman. She was also a faithful woman. She kept her promise and gave up her son. Imagine how hard that must have been. She spent years desperately wanting a child. When she finally had that child, she had to give him away. One might expect Hannah to have been bitter. Surely, she gave her son to God begrudgingly. Not so. In fact, she praised God as she gave up her son.

My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. - 1 Samuel 2:1

She undoubtedly felt some sadness towards giving up her child, but she also understood that God was the source of whatever happiness that child brought. If dedicating her son to God was the cost for that happiness, she was willing to pay it. If that was the end of the story, it would be a good enough lesson, but there’s more.

And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters - 1 Samuel 2:21

That’s how good God is. He recognized what Hannah had done and rewarded her. In the end, the woman who could not conceive was given all she asked for and more. All she had to do was pray and be faithful. Is that not a powerful lesson?

Hannah wasn’t alone when she made her proposal to God. Eli witnessed it. He did not know what she was doing, but he observed it transpire. When it was time for Hannah to give up her son, Eli was the one who received him. He raised the boy and guided him in the ways of a spiritual leader. Eli lived before Israel had a king. He held a position of leadership among the people. For the most part, he carried out his duties correctly. His sons were another story. The Bible describes them as “scoundrels” and says:

This sin of the young men was very great in the Lord’s sight, for they[b] were treating the Lord’s offering with contempt. 1 Samuel 2:17

Eli did not take part in their sins, but he also didn’t do anything to stop them. That made Eli complicit in God’s eyes, and God punished Eli severely for it.

The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your priestly house, so that no one in it will reach old age, and you will see distress in my dwelling. Although good will be done to Israel, no one in your family line will ever reach old age. Every one of you that I do not cut off from serving at my altar I will spare only to destroy your sight and sap your strength, and all your descendants will die in the prime of life. - 1 Samuel 2:31-33

That’s tough. God cursed Eli’s whole bloodline. Eli could have objected to such a harsh punishment. He could have complained to God. After all, God wasn’t just punishing the sinful sons, He was punishing people that hadn’t even been born yet. That’s not what Eli did though.

So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.” - 1 Samuel 3:18

Eli simply accepted God’s will. He understood that he was in the wrong and that God had the right to levy whatever punishment he saw fit. Eli continued to serve God faithfully even knowing what lay ahead for him and his family. Should we do any less?

The rest of 1 Samuel follows the lives of Samuel and David. It might be easy to forget about Hannah and Eli, but we shouldn’t. Jesus is our path to salvation, and just as God promised, he came from King David’s line. David was made king by Samuel. Samuel was that son that Hannah gave up, and he was Eli’s disciple. The big stories couldn’t have happened without the small stories.

That’s something for us to remember. Not all of us will bring 100s of people to the faith. Few of us will do something that changes the world, but all of us have a story. God used Hannah and Eli, and he can use us too. Will we be faithful and obedient enough to allow God to add our small stories to the bigger tale he wants to tell? Or will we sell ourselves short and allow our stories to be lost to time? It should be an easy choice.

Chris Lawyer