DON’T TAUNT PEOPLE: Devotion for Saturday May 21, 2016
Text: 1 Samuel 1:1 – 8 Memory verse: v 6
“If the devotions of a family prevail not to put an end to its divisions, yet let not the divisions put a stop to the devotions” so says Matthew Henry. Despite the problems in the family of Elkanah, it didn’t deter him from bringing them to the presence of God in Shiloh every year (1:3). Peninnah had children but Hannah had none yet and this gave Peninnah the edge over her which she used in taunting her (1:6). Though Hannah had no child then, Elkanah still loved her dearly and demonstrated this openly (1:4, 5). Maybe the love Elkanah had for Hannah made Peninnah to despise and taunt Hannah because of her problem. This is always a problem in polygamy.
Deut 7:13, 14 teach us that obedience to the terms of the covenant will be rewarded by fertility (in children, flocks, and agricultural produce). Conversely, barrenness to the Israelites was seen as an indication of God’s displeasure against them. Under such a system of belief, barren women easily become the object of heart-rending taunts by child-producing second wives, or even neighbours (Gen. 30:1-5; Lk. 1:25, 57, 58). Such domestic broils are a natural result of polygamy or bigamy. Do you taunt people because of their problems; no child, no spouse, no job, physical stature, etc? Remember you are not their God. God rose for Hannah at the end and her name is now a household name. Who hears of Peninnah today? Beware!
Food for Thought: Taunting someone is a mockery against his/her Maker.
Prayer: Our God in heaven, help me never to taunt someone because of the person’s predicament, trouble or sickness in Jesus name.
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