Wednesday, we saw Hannah, barren at first, then promised a son, and when the son was still just a promise, she cheered up:

Eli answered her, “Go in peace. And may the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him.” “Think well of me—and pray for me!” she said, and went her way. Then she ate heartily, her face radiant. 1 Samuel 1.17, 18, MSG)

As usual, something has to happen to make children:

Up before dawn, they worshiped GOD and returned home to Ramah. Elkanah slept with Hannah his wife, and GOD began making the necessary arrangements in response to what she had asked. Before the year was out, Hannah had conceived and given birth to a son. She named him Samuel, explaining, “I asked GOD for him.” (1 Samuel 1.19 – 20, MSG)

Then, as she promised, she took him to Shiloh:

She stayed home and nursed her son until she had weaned him. Then she took him up to Shiloh, bringing also the makings of a generous sacrificial meal—a prize bull, flour, and wine. The child was so young to be sent off! They first butchered the bull, then brought the child to Eli. Hannah said, “Excuse me, sir. Would you believe that I’m the very woman who was standing before you at this very spot, praying to GOD? I prayed for this child, and GOD gave me what I asked for. And now I have dedicated him to GOD. He’s dedicated to GOD for life.” (1 Samuel 1.23 – 28, MSG)

In that culture, “until she had weaned him” would mean that Samuel was at least 3 years old, possibly older. At which point Hannah burst into song:

Hannah prayed: I’m bursting with God-news! I’m walking on air. I’m laughing at my rivals. I’m dancing my salvation. (1 Samuel 2.1, MSG)

Her song talks about the great reversal. The song of one who was oppressed (see 1 Samuel 1.4 – 11) but is oppressed no longer:

The great reversal:

• The weapons of the strong are smashed to pieces, while the weak are infused with fresh strength.
• The well-fed are out begging in the streets for crusts, while the hungry are getting second helpings.
• The barren woman has a houseful of children, while the mother of many is bereft. (1 Samuel 2.4, 5, MSG, bulleted for clarity)

Reading through the lens of oppressed people reminds me of Jesus and the Disinherited, which we wrote about a few days ago. More importantly, Mary’s song in Luke 1 is remarkably like Hannah’s song and also contains a celebration of the great reversal:

And Mary said, I’m bursting with God-news; I’m dancing the song of my Savior God. (Luke 1.46, 47, MSG)

• He knocked tyrants off their high horses, pulled victims out of the mud.
• The starving poor sat down to a banquet; the callous rich were left out in the cold. (Luke 1.52, 53, MSG, bulleted for clarity)

God’s great Story is for the oppressed. Hannah’s story is one of many.

God’s Spirit is on me; he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, To set the burdened and battered free, to announce, “This is God’s year to act!” (Luke 4.18, 19, MSG)

PS If you’re wondering about the upcoming snowstorm I mentioned in yesterday’s pi-day blog, it came. For once the weather guessers underestimated. We had 18 inches of snow by 10a, Thursday morning.