The Kaleidoscope view of God
The Kaleidoscope View of God
1 Samuel 2
“My heart exults in the Lord, My horn is exalted in the Lord.”
Kaleidoscopes are always fun to look through. Point the Kaleidoscope to light; its beauty unfolds as you turn the optical instrument into a never-ending display of color and patterns. The world's largest Kaleidoscope is found in New York and is 60 feet tall and 37.5 feet in diameter. They have gone from being a child’s toy to handmade glass works of art that can cost several thousand dollars and offer an array of patterns and colors that can leave the viewer in wonder at the beauty.
In the Ancient Near East, to be barren was seen as a mark of shame and the object of ridicule from other women. Even though her husband Eli continually affirmed his love for her, she was still greatly distressed because of the ridicule she experienced. Consequently, she would go up to the tabernacle year after year, praying for God to intervene and provide a child. But heaven remained silent. However, on one occasion, she made a promise; if God gave her a child, she would dedicate him as a Nazarite, and the child would be devoted to the service of the Lord. In response, God spoke through Eli, the priest, and promised she would have a son. In a remarkable display of faith, she immediately “when her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad” (1:18). After the child was weaned (around age 7), she fulfilled her vow, taking him to the tabernacle and dedicating him to the service of the Lord. From that day forward, the child would remain at the temple, serving the Lord. This child would grow to become one of the most outstanding spiritual leaders in the history of Israel; a man would lead Israel and anoint the nation's kings.
In 1 Samuel 2, the joy of Hannah bursts forth in a song of thanksgiving. Within this song of thanksgiving, we discover a kaleidoscope view of God. To read the song is to stand in awe at the beauty and wonder of God captured by this woman of faith. In every verse, she masterfully turns the Kaleidoscope of God’s character to reveal the beauty of God as she celebrates the God of Israel. In all of Scripture, there is perhaps no other song that captures the depth of who God is in such a short prayer. He is a God who saves (vs. 1), he is holy (vs. 2), he is unique (vs. 2), he is all-knowing (vs. 3), he empowers the weak and the outcasts (vs. 4-5), he is the source of life and death (vs. 6), he exalts the lowly (vs. 7-8), he establishes the foundation of the universe (8), he faithfully protects his people (vs. 9). Yet, he is also a God who judges the earth and defeats those who oppose him (10). Last, and perhaps most remarkable, she prophetically anticipates the messianic king (vs. 10).
This prayer not only reveals to us the multifaceted glory of God in the depth of his character, but it serves as an invitation to us to reflect upon the manifold character of God. Like a child finding joy in viewing the multifaceted display of color in a kaleidoscope, there are times when we need to step back and just reflect on the glory of God in all his splendor. At times in our life, certain aspects of his character bring us hope and confidence. We reflect upon the security of an unchanging God in a changing world. We discover hope in a loving God when it seems as if people abandon us. We find strength during adversity in a God who is all-powerful and sovereign. Then there are the times we need to take a step back and contemplate the vastness of his glory and the multidimensional nature of his being and, in response, just worship him.
1 Samuel 2
“My heart exults in the Lord, My horn is exalted in the Lord.”
Kaleidoscopes are always fun to look through. Point the Kaleidoscope to light; its beauty unfolds as you turn the optical instrument into a never-ending display of color and patterns. The world's largest Kaleidoscope is found in New York and is 60 feet tall and 37.5 feet in diameter. They have gone from being a child’s toy to handmade glass works of art that can cost several thousand dollars and offer an array of patterns and colors that can leave the viewer in wonder at the beauty.
In the Ancient Near East, to be barren was seen as a mark of shame and the object of ridicule from other women. Even though her husband Eli continually affirmed his love for her, she was still greatly distressed because of the ridicule she experienced. Consequently, she would go up to the tabernacle year after year, praying for God to intervene and provide a child. But heaven remained silent. However, on one occasion, she made a promise; if God gave her a child, she would dedicate him as a Nazarite, and the child would be devoted to the service of the Lord. In response, God spoke through Eli, the priest, and promised she would have a son. In a remarkable display of faith, she immediately “when her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad” (1:18). After the child was weaned (around age 7), she fulfilled her vow, taking him to the tabernacle and dedicating him to the service of the Lord. From that day forward, the child would remain at the temple, serving the Lord. This child would grow to become one of the most outstanding spiritual leaders in the history of Israel; a man would lead Israel and anoint the nation's kings.
In 1 Samuel 2, the joy of Hannah bursts forth in a song of thanksgiving. Within this song of thanksgiving, we discover a kaleidoscope view of God. To read the song is to stand in awe at the beauty and wonder of God captured by this woman of faith. In every verse, she masterfully turns the Kaleidoscope of God’s character to reveal the beauty of God as she celebrates the God of Israel. In all of Scripture, there is perhaps no other song that captures the depth of who God is in such a short prayer. He is a God who saves (vs. 1), he is holy (vs. 2), he is unique (vs. 2), he is all-knowing (vs. 3), he empowers the weak and the outcasts (vs. 4-5), he is the source of life and death (vs. 6), he exalts the lowly (vs. 7-8), he establishes the foundation of the universe (8), he faithfully protects his people (vs. 9). Yet, he is also a God who judges the earth and defeats those who oppose him (10). Last, and perhaps most remarkable, she prophetically anticipates the messianic king (vs. 10).
This prayer not only reveals to us the multifaceted glory of God in the depth of his character, but it serves as an invitation to us to reflect upon the manifold character of God. Like a child finding joy in viewing the multifaceted display of color in a kaleidoscope, there are times when we need to step back and just reflect on the glory of God in all his splendor. At times in our life, certain aspects of his character bring us hope and confidence. We reflect upon the security of an unchanging God in a changing world. We discover hope in a loving God when it seems as if people abandon us. We find strength during adversity in a God who is all-powerful and sovereign. Then there are the times we need to take a step back and contemplate the vastness of his glory and the multidimensional nature of his being and, in response, just worship him.
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