The Challenge: Dedicate 60 minutes a week to deeper exploration of God's Word.
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| Graphic by Tim LePage |
Step 1: Pray for clarity and understanding
Step 3: Read the Notes in your Study Bible for the Luke passage
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Step 4: Dive into deeper exploration by reading this excerpt from Mary: Devoted to God's Plan which was published by Lexham Press. Good Read!
The themes of Mary’s Magnificat reflect those of Hannah’s song in 1 Sam 2:1–10. Hannah was married to a man who had another wife—one who had given him children (1 Sam 1:1–2). Although her husband loved her, Hannah was relentlessly taunted by the other wife for being barren (1 Sam 1:6). When God answered her prayer for a son (Samuel), Hannah rejoiced by exalting God’s goodness and provision (1 Sam 1:20). Although Mary and Hannah were in very different situations, both women praised God for remembering the desperate plight of His people.
In rewarding Hannah by providing her with Samuel, God also satisfied Israel’s need for a great leader—something the nation lacked since the death of Moses (Deut 34). As God’s prophet, Samuel would bring Israel out of spiritual darkness and back into a proper relationship with Him (1 Sam 7:3–6). Israel also lacked a great leader in Mary’s time. Yet Mary’s son would accomplish far more than the salvation of Israel, just as Gabriel proclaimed (Luke 1:31–33). Mary’s son was born to fulfill God’s plan to save His people from their sins (Matt 1:21).
Quick Bit The Jews in Mary’s day eagerly anticipated the coming of a messiah. They longed for him to set them free from the Romans’ imposed rule, purify temple worship, and establish a just utopian society: the kingdom of God. The birth of Jesus, as predicted by Gabriel, offered hope in the midst of darkness, much like Samuel’s birth in 1 Sam 1–2.
Both mothers knew that their sons—Samuel and Jesus—were destined for greatness, and they expressed their thanksgiving to God with songs of praise. Both songs open by praising God for revealing His salvation. Hannah’s song declares “I rejoice in your salvation” (1 Sam 2:1), while Mary sings that her spirit “rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:47). The praises reflect the source of their joy and strength: God Himself. Both songs elevate God’s holiness, with Hannah exclaiming that “there is none holy like the Lord” (1 Sam 2:2) and Mary rejoicing “holy is His name” (Luke 1:49).
Hannah and Mary both describe God as a God of action. They extol His sovereignty and the strength by which He elevates the humble and needy (1 Sam 2:7–8; Luke 1:48) and abolishes the proud (1 Sam 2:3; Luke 1:51). Mary testifies that God has “done great things” for her personally (Luke 1:49) and shown His mercy to His people “from generation to generation” (Luke 1:50). Hannah declares “The Lord makes poor and makes rich” (1 Sam 2:7). She describes Him as a God who defeats His enemies and guards His people (1 Sam 2:9–10).
Each woman’s song concludes with hints of coming salvation. Hannah proclaims that God will “exalt the horn of his anointed (or Messiah)” (1 Sam 2:10). Hannah’s son, Samuel, helped pave the way for the Messiah by anointing David as king of Israel (see 1 Sam 16:1–13)—the king from whom Jesus would descend (see Matt 1:1–17). Hannah’s song ultimately points beyond her son to Mary’s.
Through both Hannah and Mary, God sovereignly intervened to save His people. In Mary’s elegant Magnificat, she identified her situation with God’s great redemptive work of the past—namely what He had accomplished through Hannah and Samuel. Through her song, Mary also gave new voice to her willingness to embrace her role in God’s plan.
Step 5: Consider the following:
- What can we learn from Mary and Elizabeth's relationship?
- Who is in your life that reinforces and confirms God's plan and call for you?
- In what ways do you show praise and gratitude to God?
- Do you know God's call on your life? What are you doing about that?
- In what areas of your life do you lack peace?
Everyone is invited to come to Advance Community Church this Sunday at 5:00pm where this passage will come to life.
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