Women of the Bible
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5b ESV
Hannah, the mother of Samuel, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, were both blessed with miracle children. Hannah was bothered by her inability to conceive, not only because she longed to become a mother but also because her husband Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, “provoked her severely” (1 Samuel 1:6). She brought her problem to the Lord in prayer and went home confident in His plan for her. The Lord answered her prayer with the gift of her son, Samuel. She was also blessed with more children (1 Samuel 2:21). Mary, on the other hand, was shocked by the announcement that she was the “highly favored one” who would give birth to the Savior. “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” (Luke 1:34)
Though they were separated by over a thousand years, the reactions of Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10) and Mary (Luke 1:46-55) to becoming mothers are remarkably similar. (Mary was likely familiar with the account of Hannah and Samuel and recognized the similarity of the situation.) Much can be learned from the humility shown by both women. Hannah began, “My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies because I rejoice in Your salvation” (1 Samuel 2:1). Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord. . . for He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:46, 48). Both beautifully express godly humility: a desire to place oneself lower than others and a recognition that our loving and omnipotent God is our ultimate authority.
Humility, while not always prized in modern society, is a good thing for all Christians to exhibit. Paul writes in Galatians 6:14, “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” May we, too, boast only in the Lord, who raises us poor sinners up from the dust (1 Samuel 2:8) to be His chosen generation.
Lord, grant me godly humility. Amen.