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Commentary on "Hannah: Learning to Be Someone"

LESLIE MARTIN

 

Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, October 9, 2010 - Introduction

 

According to this day’s lesson, how Hannah found self-worth is the key message in I Samuel 1 & 2 However, Hannah’s story is not given as an example of how to find personal significance and self-worth, since the Bible’s purpose is not the role of a spiritual “Aesop’s Fables” merely teaching moral lessons through stories. The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself and His amazing grace in providing redemption for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible reveals the truth of God’s faithfulness to keep His covenantal promises. There is no indication in the Bible that Hannah had a problem with worth or value; this is just an assumption. Hannah’s value, as well as ours, is found in Jesus. We have value, but it is not because of intrinsic potential, personal greatness, answers to our prayers or our moral goodness. Our worth is in Jesus Christ’s love, grace and faithfulness to pay the price of our redemption by dying for us and providing the gift of eternal life.

If you are also reading the E.G. White Notes for the Sabbath School Lessons, please note that it contains the following statement to accompany today’s lesson, “If through faith man becomes one with Christ, he can win life everlasting.” – SM1, pp. 299,300 (emp. added). Let us keep in mind that redemption is a gift, not something that is won as a prize through our faith.

 

Summary

  1. The Bible is not a book of moral lessons. It is God’s revelation of Himself and His amazing grace in providing redemption through His Son.
  2. The Bible never hints that Hannah had a problem with self-worth.
  3. Hannah’s worth, as is our, is directly tied to the Lord Jesus and to believing God’s promises.
  4. Our worth is in Jesus’ love, grace, and faithfulness to pay the price of our redemption.
  5. Salvation is not something we earn; it is a gift. It is not a prize we win through faith.

 

GO TO DAY 2

 

Copyright 2010 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised October 7, 2010. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.

The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.

 

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