Hannah was so grieved for a child, that she was willing to lay herself at the alter and petition “The-God-of-Angel-Armies” to really look at her pain and stop neglecting her (MSG translation). To me, that’s a bold prayer.
Her prayer was so fervent and heartbroken, Eli, the temple priest, momentarily thought her drunk. After talking with her though, he told her to go in peace and supported her by asking God to give her what she had prayed for (providing agreement in prayer for her).
When Hagar and Ishmael were cast out into the desert and had reached the end of their resources against the elements, God heard Hagar’s cries. In that moment of interaction, He became “The-One-Who-Sees-Me.” Imagine being a slave and outcast, abused and left to die in the desert, when the God of the universe shows up for you. Imagine how that might make you feel to not be left unseen for once?
The “sinful” woman that anointed Jesus’ feet with oil, may be the woman with whom I most relate. Imagine the inner turmoil that must have taken place within her to do this. How crazy a thought this must have seemed, pushing her way into a group of men, wracked with grief to sob at Jesus feet.
In all of these moments God met them right where they were. In Hagar’s case, He told her to rise. In Hannah’s case, He sent the Temple Priest to tell her to go and be blessed. For the woman with the oil, He made sure her actions would be commended to all the world forever. I am sure there was a blessing in her sacrifice.
God sees us and hears us when we are at our lowest, most broken. When we are on our knees, God shows up to lift us up. He may do it Himself or he may send someone else. In all cases He intervenes. What I noticed most was his call to rise or go. From Hannah, to the woman accused of adultery, to so many more. He always encouraged people to rise. We were never meant to stay broken, on the floor. Walking with Him is always tied to elevation.
In so many ways, women of the Bible prove themselves to be the most brave. From doggedly following Jesus to save sons, to staying close at the crucifixion, to grasping the hem of his garments, to being there to take his body to the tomb when his other followers had run away afraid. Women are shown to be the last to hold on to Jesus. I think this is why the women in Jesus ministry were given the greatest honor in knowing He had risen first.
