The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Samuel 1:8-11, “Then Elkanah her husband said to her, ‘Hannah, why

do you weep and why do you not eat and why is your heart sad? Am I not

better to you than ten sons?’

9 Then Hannah rose after eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest

was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD.

10 And she, greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.

11 And she made a vow and said, ‘O LORD of hosts, if Thou wilt indeed

look on the affliction of Thy maidservant and remember me, and not forget

Thy maidservant, but wilt give Thy maidservant a son, then I will give him to

the LORD all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head.’”

Every woman from ancient Israel onward desired to be a mother. As

knowledge of the Messiah came into closer focus, women desired to

be the mother of the Messiah. Thus, Hannah understandably wept

before the LORD, begging Him to enable her to give birth to a son.

Eli was the LORD’s priest in those days. But, his sons were evil and

he failed to control them. Thus, in time, Eli would be removed from

his position. Hannah prayed earnestly and fervently that the LORD

would give her a son. She made the promise that if the LORD would

but give her a son, he would be dedicated to the LORD “all the days

of his life, and a razor (would) never come on his head.” This was

the initiation of the Nazarite Vow that we find prominent in the life

of Samson.

How times have changed! –and not for the better. Israeli women

longed for children; ungodly women today abort their children.

Eli would soon be removed for failing to rebuke and control his

sons. Immorality thrives today, even in the households of pastors

and missionaries! We dare not ignore the Way of the LORD! He

will not overlook our unconfessed sin. May we always live as a

credit to Him, who lived and died as a “solemn rebuke” to our sin.

How fervently we love and pray for you daily,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”