By Olubunmi Adebayo
*I want us to take a second look at a character today. Her name is Peninnah.*
*Does her name make any loud sound in your mind? This is because people hardly talk about her.*
*Peninnah was the second wife of Elkanah, and the rival of Hannah.*
*I am sure Hannah’s name sure bears some familiarity with you? What was it that we know about Peninnah for the purpose of our reflections today?*
*Being the rival wife to Hannah, the Bible says :*
*1 Samuel 1 : [2] “And he (Elkanah) had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children”.*
*[6] “And her adversary (ie, Peninnah) also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb”.*
*Peninnah had the grace and privilege of bearing children for their husband (Elkannah) ahead of Hannah, but instead of serving as a pillar of support and encourager to Hannah who was still trusting God for children, she – Peninnah provoked her, and made life difficult for Hannah.*
*The question is this – why do some people use the challenge of their fellow men or women to mock them, and in the extreme, use such to abuse them. While others use the circumstances their neighbours find themselves in to stigmatize them.*
*Such people forget the fact that every one of us needs to be careful in our journey of life.*
*The truth of life is a man can suddenly become the very object he has always disdained in the next fellow, though nobody prays for such.*
*No wonder the elders of old will always warn us not to mock others in their time of challenges. Nobody prays for it, but the tide of life does turn, either positively or negatively.*
*You may wish to ask me, how?*
*Have you never seen or heard about a landlord that ended becoming a tenant before?*
*Have you never heard about the big boss, who was later employed by one of his junior staff?*
*In the same token, have you not seen or heard about the children of labourers and servants, who ended up buying the estate or industries of the masters who oppressed their parents?*
*Such happens every day in life.*
*Therefore, never mock others with the pains they are going through or show this through your body language to them.*
*It is not even in your purview to harness a justification by way of explanation for why what happened to who. It is none of your business.*
*No doubt, as indicated above, nobody prays for such,but of a truth, such does, and can happen at any time and at any point in life.*
*So, let us all learn this critical lesson of life : use no man’s situation or challenge to mock them, or talk down at them.*
*Have you never seen or heard of people with children, whose children neglected them in their old age, or at their hour of needs? And such responsibility had to fall on the children of other people?*
*Listen to what Hannah has to tell us on this issue of birthing children:*
*1 Samuel 2:[1] And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.*
*[2]There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.*
*[3]Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogance come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.*
*[4]The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.*
*[5]They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.*
*As you go about your activities today, please pay attention to verse 3 above, IT IS A CRITICAL WORD FOR EVERYONE.*
Top of the day to you 👍
©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
