Chapter 1

FALSELY ACCUSED

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Revelation 3:10: The devil is an accuser of the brethren.

“Hold on, I’m comin’ Just hold on, I’m comin’”*

Sometimes we find ourselves between a really hard rock and a really hard place! Maybe that’s why you’ve picked this book up. I pray that in this book, you will find you are not alone. God, Himself, in the Garden of Eden was accused by Adam. The world was new and beautiful. No mortgage payments, no traffic jams, no leaking roofs or busted radiators! Adam and Eve enjoyed walking in the cool of the day with the Lord Himself. Then when sin came the Lord, upon asking Adam, His friend, if he had eaten of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil found that He Himself, was second in line for the blame shifting. First on his list was Eve. Let’s listen in:

“Then the man said, ‘The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate’.” (Gen. 3:12 KJV)

So, God, having responded to Adam’s loneliness by making him a helpmate, is, according to Adam, partly to blame for the end of the perfect bond they’d had between the three of them.

We are going to look now, not at the life of Christ, who never once wrongly accused anyone, and never responded wrongly when accused by anyone. He is our ultimate glorious example of what we need to strive for. But for the purposes of this study, let’s look at David, a man after God’s own heart. A man who did make mistakes, who did have temper-tantrums, who did get into the depths of depression, committed murder, adultery, and on and on. If you don’t believe me, just read his life and then his Psalms. Now this is someone we can relate to, since we are all guilty of sins of one type or another.

To start this book, we need to see what drives the man, David, by backing up and looking at what has transpired to set the scene for his life. Let’s go to the first chapter of I Samuel and listen in now and see how we can learn about others who were important in touching his life, in directing it, and even in making this human life very miserable for many years. The book begins with Hannah, the mother of Samuel. Now let’s take a glance in on what she can also teach us in responding to accusations. We’ll begin with her husband’s other wife, Peninnah:

Accuser One: PENINNAH “You contribute nothing to your husband….he’s sorry he married you! Get out of here — and don’t you dare touch my children!”

Hannah could still hear the familiar mocking sounds as she ran fleeing to her quarters. Peninnah was a fierce rival. Yes, it was true her husband, Elkanah loved Hannah better. But how could she return his devotion when she had not presented him with a son…nor even with a daughter!

Sometimes she felt that if her husband didn’t show such obvious partiality towards her, his favorite of the two, then her ‘co-wife’ would not accuse her so mercilessly. Why did he have to place her in the favored seat at the banquet tables. Peninnah was at the lower places, yes; but there she was surrounded by chattering toddlers, and nursing babes. Half the time it seemed her belly was bulging with the promise of yet another.

Hot tears began to trickle down her cheeks. She sat to readjust her garments over her still slim body, getting slimmer all the time due to her lack of appetite. Why, God? Why!

Down at the other end of the tent, she could hear the laughter. Peninnah was being extra loud to torment her. Even the children of her husband seemed to learn this game of mocking the other woman in their mother’s life. Hannah’s attempts to win them over were promptly scorned. No matter what she did to be a part of their lives, Peninnah was there to crush her dreams.

Who could blame her really? Everyone needs their own place. And the only place her husband’s heart wanted was in Hannah’s embrace. Though this gave some degree of satisfaction, it also brought guilt. “After all,” she murmured, “being in my bed is pointless. If he wants sons, he knows it’s to her bed he must go.”

Just then a young maiden appeared with a platter of food. “Please, take some. Eat!” The little maid’s eyes pleaded with her.

“Yes, yes. Just leave it here for me.” She sent the girl away, wishing to be alone in her misery.

“God, You are my only hope. Tell me, what is my answer. Tell me!”

Accuser Two: ELKANAH She heard her husband, Elkanah, coming towards her quarters. Quickly she tried to repair her face, wiping the tears. But not soon enough. He appeared and took her face in his strong, rough hands.

“What’s this? Hannah, you know I love you–so why must you be so miserable?”

“Yes, and I am so grateful. But still….” her voice drifted off knowing they would again cover the already too familiar debate.

“So…what is the problem? Oh, not again! Not your wanting a son to give me – that again?” He was angry.

“My husband. Forgive me. But yes, I do want a child. I want a child from the Lord to give to you.”

“Peninnah has enough for you both. Dry your tears. Snap out of it! I can’t understand why someone who has a husband who adores her would need anything more. I’m really fed up with it. It’s been going on years. Here, think of this. I can love you more than ten sons. And I do! So there. Let’s not hear any more of this sad business. There is no reason at all for it. You have me! Can you not give me any rest!”

Hannah tried hard, but still a tear slipped from the corner of her eye. Elkanah saw it. “Oh, no! Well, I’m not staying here in this gloom–it’s time for a celebration. I’ll be down with Peninnah and the children. Join us when you are smiling.”

As he left, Hannah felt as though her heart would explode from the pain. Didn’t he see how much she wanted to love him. She wanted to be a good wife to him, and how could she do it better than to have his son. She was truly grateful for him. But a baby would fulfill her dreams she’d had since she was a young girl, playing out in the front of the tents of her father’s land. It would be someone she could hold in her arms. Someone to take care of, to teach. No more would the others torment her with looks that clearly said, “God has cursed you by closing your womb”. She would be able to hold her head up. She would know the Lord had not forsaken her. If only…if only.

She was so very tired of her misery. A husband who said that he alone is enough! She dared not accuse him of arrogance. But why couldn’t he understand?

“Dear Lord,” she prayed, “I want, I want…” What did she want? She’d begged God for a child so many times. And still she was so miserable that the one person on earth who loved her devotedly didn’t even care to be around her. But God still did. She realized this. And she said, “God, you will never leave me! You will never forsake me!” At once, she realized she was no longer quiet as dejected. Her depression had begun to lift ever so slightly. She had reason after all to rejoice in that God loved her even in her weakness.

“God…Lord…” She hesitated. No, it was wrong. She no longer wanted the son to give her status. She had status. God was there for her. No, she would change her plea. No longer would she cry out and beg for a son for her husband. She knew what she had to do. Now she knew it was selfishness she had been carrying and self-will that the Lord wanted her to give up. This self-centeredness had made her miserable, lacking in joy and difficult to have a relationship with. No, now the child she would ask for would be given to the One who loved her truly. The child would be as an offering to the God of Israel. He would simply be lent to her. She began to drift off to sleep. After all, in the morning the journey to the temple was to begin.

Accuser Three: ELI Kneeling at the temple, Hannah began to pray. Surely God would not deny her request now that it was centered in His will, not her own. She felt the weight of the years of sadness once more descend upon her. Not able to speak for the pain of a broken heart, she mouthed her request, telling the Lord it was only unto Him that the child would be given. Her shoulders sagged and her breathing was labored. “Oh, Lord! I know I have wasted time by centering around, me, me, me…my wants, my desires. Forgive me!” She felt the depth of the anguish of her soul weighing her down. “But not my will, Lord, I ask only for Yours. If there is to be no child, Oh God, help me to love with your love and…”

“Woman!” The voice interrupting her was harsh and sullen. She looked up as if jerked awake from a distant place.

“Woman! This is a Holy Place! How dare you come in here in a drunken state before the Mighty God of all Israel!” His words shot across her as she came back into reality.

At first she just gazed at the old priest, Eli, whose look of scorn frightened her. Could he not even discern the look of one earnestly seeking the Lord? Should she, a woman, speak to him, a priest?

But no. She didn’t want to leave it at this. This was important…it was no longer a desire of her own, but of something larger than herself. Trembling at the thought of speaking up for herself, she bit her lip then began. “Sir….Sir, I am not drunk! Look at me. I am a woman in deep intercession to the Lord. I have a worthy request of Him and have come here to seek it of Him with all my heart.”

Eli began to soften. He had been wrong. This woman was sober, not like his own sons. How well he knew the look of mischief on their faces. No, here was one who was coming in for serious business with Almighty God.

“Then go, woman.” She turned toward the door.

“No, wait” he took a step in her direction. “May the Lord bless you by answering your request.”

Hannah’s spirit began to rise within her. She had overcome her fears and spoken to the priest, knowing the request was of great importance. She had not lashed out at him for his wrong assumption or his accusation of drunkenness. She had given up her own will and instead sought the will of the One who is greater. And God had answered her through this priest. Yes! She would have a child to give to God’s service.

It was a different Hannah that her husband came into when they returned home. No more did the accusations of Peninnah pierce her. No longer did the insensitivity of her husband hurt. Now she waited on the Lord and His promise. And He was faithful to her. She’d gone through strike one, strike two and strike three, but – with God’s intervention – she would never be out.

Sometimes the taunts of strangers don’t bother us quiet as much as the insensitivity of those we hold closest. Hannah was a woman that had the gift of apparent beauty – something we hold in high esteem today. She had the love of a man and not just any man, but one of great means. She was able to travel, young and healthy. Yet the jabs and insults still hurt just as deeply as they would to any of those of us who may not have these advantages. It is the purpose of this book to show parallel scenes from the bible with our culture today. The differing aspects cover accusations of friends, family, the world, employers, etc. This first scripture relates to how God’s people are often accused by those closest to us. God allowed Hannah to be a victim of careless words, looks and taunts of those in her family circle, as well as at the temple.

God allowed all this for a purpose which, as the story in the book of I Samuel tells us, proved to be a very important purpose. The prophet Eli was getting very old. He had sons, but these sons did not have the will of God on their minds. Eli had been negligent in the discipline of his children and the people were not seeing the holy behavior they needed in the temple ceremonies and practices. Quiet the opposite. The people were despising their trips to the temples because of these men. Their immorality was commonly known and easy to observe.

So God needed a man to hear His voice for the nation of Israel. God still needs a man or a woman to hear Him in many corners of the world. So often we are too filled with defense of ourselves to hear it. All of us have the encounters with the rude sales person, the careless driver, the heartless health care worker. Yet, the ones closest to us can hurt us with the most pain. Like the old love song says, “You Always Hurt the One You Love”. So when words of accusation come despite our efforts, it’s then we must remember Hannah and her years of seeking to vindicate herself perhaps by selfish reasons. Only when she became the woman who would give unto the Lord all that was given to her did her life and her womb bear fruit. God had tailor made the situation to fulfill Hannah’s need as well as to supply the nation of Israel with a leader to hear His voice. Two needs for the price of one you could say. And those needs came to fruition in the baby Samuel.

And it was fruit that remained. Samuel began hearing from the Lord very early and was attuned to Him so clearly that kings knew to heed his directives. The direction of the nation of Israel, God’s own people, were directed by what this prophet heard from God and repeated back to the great kings he served, Saul and David.

But let’s go back to Hannah. She could have allowed the blow of thoughtless words from her husband to leave her frozen in depression. How often have we heard, or even said, to those who are anxious or depressed, “Get over it.” “Snap out of it.” “Grow up!” “Get it together.” “Get a life!” Many people are able to go for help with a counselor, pastor or psychologist. Most people allow life and the thoughtless remarks of others to wear them down. Often this will turn into addictions with alcohol, drugs, romance novels, soaps, or pornography. Just anything to distract momentarily from the desperate need within their hearts.

Most men and women seeking help often find a sympathetic and wise encourager to help them overcome and change wrong ideas and harmful behaviors or ways of coping with life that are not healthy. With Hannah, as it is today in many cases, it is from those in our family and church that the scorching arrows fly. The only unanswered prayer of the Lord was that we, the church, all might be as one. So many in our world stay away from churches for fear of being judged or looked down on. Yes, it’s true there are many churches who exist just to find needs and offer solutions in love. But too many people have sought out support and for one reason or another been degraded.

Many times the origins of the dysfunction people experience come from being falsely accused. All throughout history, satan has been successful in using this tactic against the saints. Let us remember the story of Hannah when satan comes to accuse us, whether by strangers, casual acquaintances, or by our closest loved ones. Then perhaps we, just as Hannah, will reap rewards that will grow into life-long blessings as well!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I give you my heart. You see these accusations that come in on me like a flood. Lord, you know my innocence in this matter! I remember, Lord, how you did not speak a single word when you were reviled and accused, but you were like a lamb to the slaughter. It comforts me, Lord, that you know how this feels. Thank you, my sweet Savior! I appoint You, Master, as my defense attorney, my Counselor and my help in this matter that I am facing. Speak the words for me that I cannot. Change hearts. And change my heart as well. Give me a heart like Hannah, not seeking my own will, but seeking to give into your Kingdom. Give me courage to speak up and wisdom to know where and when to speak. Give me the humility I lack to reach out and receive help. And most of all, give me faith that You are directing my path. Show me my part of the guilt here and help me to make right all that is possible. I give this matter to you, Lord. Help me to trust You and thankfully watch You work in my behalf. In the sweet name of Jesus, Amen.

“’Cause hold on, I’m comin’ Hold on, I’m comin’

Hold on I’m comin’ Hold on, I’m comin’”*