The Power of Words: Blessings and Curses | 1 Samuel 1:9-17

Are your words building up or tearing down?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

We are in a new series on 1 Samuel, and we are currently in chapter one. The theme of chapter one is the six people who influenced Samuel's life: So far, we have identified Elkanah, Peninnah, Hannah, and today Eli, Israel's judge and priest.

I am going to read verses 9-17, which pick up on this interaction between Hannah and Eli.

After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.”  — 1 Samuel 1:9-17

Eli is an interesting character in Samuel's story. I really don't want to give too much away yet because you are going to get more to his story in the next four chapters, concluding with his tragic death, resulting from a fall from his chair. So, I want to hold off on giving you too much detail.

But in this immediate text, we do catch a glimpse of Eli's character. We see that he is quick to make a judgment about a very humble and reverent woman. Who knows exactly why he does this, but he does, and I think this is a little interesting because he is supposed to be a judge. Most theologians consider him to be one of the final judges of Israel. Below is a sequential list of the judges of Israel if you want to see them:

1. Othniel - 40 years (Judges 3:7-11)
2. Ehud - 80 years (Judges 3:12-30)
3. Shamgar - Time unspecified (Judges 3:31)
4. Deborah and Barak - 40 years (Judges 4:1-5:31)
5. Gideon - 40 years (Judges 6:1-8:35)
6. Abimelech - 3 years (Judges 9:22)
7. Tola - 23 years (Judges 10:1-2)
8. Jair - 22 years (Judges 10:3-5)
9. Jephthah - 6 years (Judges 10:6-12:7)
10. Ibzan - 7 years (Judges 12:8-10)
11. Elon - 10 years (Judges 12:11-12)
12. Abdon - 8 years (Judges 12:13-15)
13. Samson - 20 years (Judges 13:1-16:31)
14. Eli - Not explicitly called a judge. Served as a high priest and judge during this time. Time unspecified (1 Samuel 1:9-4:18)
15. Samuel - The final judge to transition Israel from judges to kings.

Regardless, Eli's time marks the beginning of the end. As we will see, one of his failings was his lack of leadership as a father, which was a big black mark on his record as a priest and judge.

Yet, we have to give him a little bit of credit because he does extend an important blessing to Hannah. This blessing would result in a son—Samuel. He would soon be conceived, born, raised, and ironically mentored by Eli, replacing him and ending the time of the judges.

Isn't it interesting that the cursing and blessing come from the same mouth?

My mouth has great power to speak amazing truths about Jesus that can lead people to Christ. At the same time, my mouth can speak sarcastic and hurtful things that wound other people. In addition, the older I get, the more I see the effect of my words.

I was just telling my wife the other day that our three children speak the way they do to each other sometimes because of my biting sarcasm. And now, when I watch them do what I do, I don't like it because I know it can be taken too far and can wound others. At the same time, I am still humbled by how God uses my mouth to affect other people spiritually. There are testimonies I have heard time and time again from others about things I have said that have forever affected their lives. It's amazing that my mouth can have a powerful effect in both ways. It's sobering and humbling at the same time.

But this is true with you, too. Just like it was for Eli.

Do me a favor: Speak a blessing. Speak a blessing to your wife, children, friend, neighbor, or peer. And when you do say it with meaning. Look them in the eyes. Make sure you have their attention. Speak it clearly and see if God doesn't alter your impact.

#BlessingAndCursing
#PowerOfWords
#SpeakLife

ASK THIS:

1. Reflecting on Eli's initial judgment of Hannah, how can we guard against making quick assumptions about others, especially in moments of distress or vulnerability?
2. Considering the impact of our words, how can we intentionally use our speech to bless and uplift those around us, fostering a culture of encouragement and positivity in our relationships?

DO THIS: Speak a blessing to someone today.

PRAY THIS: Lord, help me to be mindful of the power of my words, that I may speak blessings and encouragement to others, reflecting Your love and grace in all I say and do. Grant me wisdom to use my speech to build up and inspire those around me, just as You bless and guide me each day. Amen.

PLAY THIS: I Speak Jesus.