1 Samuel 1:17-18: The Peace Giving Priest
On the surface, these verses are a bit strange. Hannah leaves the doorposts of the Temple no longer sad. She seems to have received some sort of assurance. Why? Because God’s priest has spoken to her (v17).
It was Eli’s job as God’s High Priest to bring the people before God and to pray for them to God. He stood as God’s representative to the people. And as such, he gives assurance to her. This is, as it were, God himself telling her to go in peace.
Every priest in the Old Testament is a picture of the Lord Jesus. They offered sacrifices to atone for the people’s sin. Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice to atone for His people’s sin. They prayed for and interceded for the people in the presence of God. Jesus lives forever in the presence of God to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). Priests knew their interceding was heard by God and answered by God. Jesus is heard by God and answered by God. After Hannah prayed, the priest told her to go in peace. Each week after we worship, the Lord Jesus through his Minister tells us to go in peace, in His grace, in the love of God the Father, and in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Hannah left her praying assured of being heard and answered. We can leave our praying assured of being heard and being answered. We might not receive Hannah’s answer, but we will get the best answer. We can with confidence draw near to his throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-15). Jesus is the peace giving priest.
Questions
- What does Hebrews 7:22-27 say about Jesus the great High Priest
- How does our great High Priest tells us to “go in peace”?
Prayer Points
- Thank God for a High Priest interceding for us, who knows our weaknesses and our needs.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.