Of Freckles and Favor

Of Freckles and Favor

"There is no one holy like the Lord. There is no one but you, O Lord. There is no Rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2

Can you imagine being harassed over something you had no control over? And, worse than that, can you imagine living in a world that viewed you as cursed by God for the same reasons? What if the world saw freckles as a sign of God’s disfavor? You were born with DNA that handed out those speckles that dot your face, and you had no say in the matter. (Just for the record, I sort of like freckles.)

And it wasn’t just a fringe religious group that thought freckles were a curse, it was your entire culture. You never knew a moment in your life where a freckled friend was held up as an example for others. Even worse, your spotted friends were the subject of torment and harass ment without consequence.

That is the place Hannah found herself in the story of the Bible. She was one Elkanah’s two wives. Hannah had borne no children while Penninah, the other wife, had children. To Elkanah’s credit, he treated Hannah well because he loved her. When he offered sacrifices, he gave portions of meat to Penninah and to each of her sons and daughters. This left Hannah only receiving a single portion. Most likely her husband doubled that, and yet, she would still receive less. Her place in the home and society was threatened because she had no children.

To add to the social ostracism she experienced, Penninah constantly taunted her because “the Lord had kept Hannah from conceiving.” (1 Samuel 1:6). Penninah taunted her this way every year at during the annual sacrifice causing Hannah so much anxiety she would weep and be unable to eat.

Deeply hurt, Hannah goes to the tabernacle and prays to the Lord, weeping as the tears fall in a continual stream from her eyes. She begs God to see her affliction and give her a son. As she continues to cry out to God her speech become unintelligible. Her grief is so great that “though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard.” (1:13). Eli, the priest, thought she was drunk!

Eli encourages her to go in peace and says, “May the God of Israel grant your petition.” Before she even knows how God will respond to her grief, she went home, “ate and no longer looked despondent.” Eventually she does bear a child, Samuel, who she offers to the Lord’s service.

Hopefully we no longer tell people they are cursed or blessed based upon their pregnancy rate! But I know there are many other issues that can make us think we are either God’s chosen or His rejected. Financial status, race, gender, intelligence, immigrant or citizen; these have all been used to rank people’s worth. And, just like Hannah, the targets of this sort of judgment can also feel tormented and harassed.

Those who follow Christ must learn that in Him there is “there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28). As His people, we have come out of the “worldly” classifications and become simply the beloved of God! It is this beloved state we learn to heal and be healers of those who have been judged by society.

In fact, I would rather hang out with followers of Jesus who admit to sometimes feeling lost, than ones who never acknowledge any doubts. He is perfect...we are not. I personally gain more reassurance hearing the stories of fellow travelers who, though smitten to the heart by Christ, know the ebb and flow between certainty and question-marks. With Hannah, we take our questions to the One like no other.

Our fragile hearts are no indication of the strength of our love for Him, nor the perfection of His for us. That is why "fellowship" is so deeply important. But "fellowship" means real sharing, transparent honesty--not propping ourselves up as mighty warriors of faith. I am more at ease with a Christian who says, "I doubt sometimes" than one that says, "Never had a doubt."

There is a place where you can take the deepest doubts or wounds and pour them without fear of reproach. Father God allowed His own Son to become a curse for us that we should never, ever be called cursed again! Find fellowship with those whose deepest desire is reveal their true self before the Healer of hearts, and where each person is the Beloved of the Lord. There is no Rock like Him!