Tag: 1st Samuel 01

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

‘Most holy to the LORD’: What the altar of incense reveals about prayer (Exodus 30; Malachi 1–2; John 17; Revelation 8)

Oil-palette-knife–style digital illustration by ChatGPT showing incense as intercessory prayer across earthly and heavenly realms. On the left, Aaron the high priest ministers at the golden altar of incense inside the tabernacle, with thick smoke rising and a clearly defined seven-branch menorah glowing behind him in warm gold tones. At the center, the Messiah stands as the superior High Priest, hands lifted in prayer, surrounded by intertwined grapevines symbolizing unity and His John 17 intercession, visually bridging earth and heaven. On the right, a Revelation 8 scene unfolds: an angel adds incense to the prayers of the saints before a radiant throne, as stormy skies, fire, and trumpet-judgment imagery emerge in cooler, dramatic hues. The painting uses heavy, expressive strokes and contrasts warm incense light with dark, turbulent judgment clouds. A text overlay in the lower middle reads, “‘Most holy to the LORD’: What the altar of incense reveals about prayer (Exodus 30; Malachi 1–2; John 17; Revelation 8).” A Hallel.info watermark appears in the upper right corner.

In this study we explore Exodus 30 to Revelation 8. They reveal that the altar of incense in ancient Israel’s Tabernacle is a powerful picture of how our prayers rise like incense before God. We learn from Hannah’s heartfelt prayer, the high priestly intercession of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) in John 17, and the prophet Malachi’s warning against empty worship. Together they call us to pure, devoted prayer, genuine repentance, and unity in truth. That’s so our lives become a living offering “most holy to the LORD.”

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Life With God Prayer Prophets and Writings

Transforming pain: The Hannah principle (1Samuel 1–2)

A woman with tied-up brown hair is leaning forward in emotional distress, resting her head on her clasped hands. Overlaid text reads: "Transforming Pain" with "The Hannah principle, 1 Samuel 1–2" underneath. The image promotes a message of finding spiritual growth through suffering, inspired by the biblical story of Hannah. The logo and URL “hallel.info” appear in the top right corner. Image source: Adobe Stock.

Hannah’s prayers in 1Samuel 1–2 teach us about honest heart-wrenching grief, persistent faith and surrender to Heaven’s will. In this study, we also explored the parable by Yeshua (Jesus) of the persistent widow in Luke 18, James 5’s instruction on prayer for the sick, and John 11’s account of Yeshua’s weeping at Lazarus’ tomb. We discussed how Hannah’s desperate plea for a child mirrors humanity’s need for redemption, emphasizing community support, authentic prayer and hope in God’s ultimate plan of resurrection and restoration.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

From barrenness to blessing: The miraculous births that changed history (Genesis 21; 1Samuel 1; Matthew 1)

Adobe Firefly AI oil palette knift style image of an elderly ancient near east woman (Sarah) holding an infant boy (Isaac). Text says, "From barrenness to blessing: The miraculous births that changed history. (Genesis 21; 1Samuel 1; Matthew 1)."

The promised Seed of Eve was destined from the beginning of the world to crush the head of the one who brought misery to Earth. That Seed is traced through the miraculous births of Isaac, Samuel and ultimately Immanuel — the Messiah, God with us. Amidst human failings and spiritual decline, God’s sovereign plan unfolds, revealing a trajectory from Eden to eternity, where the glory of His presence is restored. This study of Genesis 21, 1Samuel 1–2 and Matthew 1 invites us to trust the Creator’s promises, discern His ways, and anticipate the coming of the King who will establish His eternal kingdom.

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Appointments With God Chanukah Discussions

8 miraculous women of Chanukah

8 miraculous women of Chanukah: Sarah, Rivka (Rebekah), Raqel (Rachel), Shimshon's (Samson's) mother, Channah (Hannah), Shunami (Shunammite) woman, Elisheva (Elizabeth) and Miriam (Mary)

The eight days of Chanukah (Festival of Dedication, John 10:22–39), historically parallel the eight days of Sukkot (Festival of Tabernacles). But there is a startling parallel to eight women in the Bible for whom having children would have been miraculous — including the mother of Yeshua (Jesus) — yet these women dedicated themselves to God’s mission to restore the Earth.