THE COVENANT OF A BABY DEDICATION
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfinger@aol.com
GOD IS A COVENANT GOD… Christianity is more than a religion. Christianity is a RELATIONSHIP, A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP. We need to so give ourselves to make the best of each day that we are capable of achieving.
In all reality we may call this a BABY DEDICATION but the very nature of this day should be called PARENT DEDICATION. A day when the parents acknowledge this baby is an ETERNAL BEING. We will answer on Judgement Day for how this family will raise this child in the FEAR OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD.
A BABY DEDICATION is recognizing THE FAMILY HAS A COVENANT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOD and the FAMILY. This covenant was established first in the Garden of Eden and then taken deeper with ABRAHAM and SARAH by establishing the ceremony on the 8th day. This covenant was a VISUAL OUTWARD SIGN of an INTERNAL COMMITMENT to an HOLY GOD. Abraham’s son was totally committed to God by more than an 8th day ceremony, with a deep commitment as ISAAC was laid on the altar. ISAAC made a logical observation: DAD WE HAVE THE FIRE, WE HAVE THE WOOD, BUT WHERE IS THE LAMB?
THERE WAS ABSOLUTE TRUST AS ABRAHAM MADE A DECLARATION OF FAITH BY STATING: GOD WILL PROVIDE THE LAMB!!!
In adulthood this child will make the choice to TAKE the opportunity to make this outward ceremony to a deeper level by SEALING a life commitment in WATER BAPTISM. This choice will have to be made by the child. But today these parents will SEAL THIS COVENANT BY BRINGING THIS CHILD TO THE ALTAR AND CEREMONIALLY GIVING THIS CHILD TO THE PASTOR. This is a SOLEMN DAY of agreement with the whole family in a covenant relationship to TRAIN UP THE CHILDREN.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6 (MSG) Point your kids in the right direction— when they're old they won't be lost.
SO WE COME THIS DAY AS A TOKEN TO GIVE THIS CHILD UNTO THE LORD ALL THE DAYS THAT THEY SHALL LIVE UNTO THAT DAY WHEN THEY SHALL MAKE THE CHOICE TO PERSONALLY GIVE THE LIFE UNTO THE LORD AND BE BAPTISED IN WATER FOR THEMSELVES.
This day the family gathers to PLEDGE TO SPIRITUALLY TEACH this child the BIBLE, God’s word and faithfulness to the local church by supporting church and to teach LOVE and FORGIVENESS as a duty.
LET US COME TO A SPECIAL MOTHER AND FATHER IN THE BOOK OF SAMUEL.
THIS MOTHER CHANGED HER WHOLE FAMILY AND THE NATION OF ISRAEL BY PRAYER.
We used to sing if I could hear my mother pray again? Today very few children can honestly say their parents ever read their Bible or pray? Perhaps a nation suffers without ETERNAL VALUES placed in the hearts of children? Seems the TEN COMMANDMENTS have become mere SUGGESTIONS in many families?
ELKANAH was a LEVITE … he was a preacher and had task to do around the TEMPLE. ELKANAH married a special woman named HANNAH. Hannah was in a dysfunctional family and lived a HARD LIFE.
Hannah had a unique talent. Hannah knew the power of prayer and she practiced her talent on a regular bases. Hannah had a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with JEHOVAH. In a very DARK SEASON and depression Hannah found herself at church. She was broken and desperate. She could not change the situation at home. HANNAH WAS BARREN in a day that being barren was a DARK SHAME, WHAT CAN I DO? IS THIS HOPELESS? HANNAH WANTED A BABY! Hannah was DESPERATE PHYSICALLY and SPIRITUALLY.
HANNAH’S RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD WAS SO PERSONAL AND REAL SHE WENT TO CHURCH AND PRAYED AND CRIED OUT TO GOD… Eli the preacher was old and his sons were evil, but she prayed even the more. ELI THOUGHT HANNAH WAS DRUNK, Hannah could have stomped out of the church in anger, NO SHE KEPT PRAYING and SEEKING GOD for HER MIRACLE. Hannah set a BIBLICAL PRECEDENT of touching the heart of God.
1 Samuel 1:10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. 11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
HANNAH BOLDLY SOUGHT GOD, SHE KNEW CHILDREN WERE A GIFT OF GOD… SHE TRUSTED HER PRAYER LIFE TO TOUCH THE HEART OF GOD.
1 Samuel 1:20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.
HANNAH NEVER FORGOT HER VOW AND SHE CAME TO GOD AND GAVE HER SON JUST AS SHE PROMISED.
1 Samuel 1:27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.
SAMUEL BECOMES ONE OF THE GREATEST SERVANTS OF GOD BECAUSE HE HAD A PRAYING MOTHER. HANNAH’S SON GREW UP AND BECAME A MIGHTY MAN OF GOD, ALL THIS BECAUSE HE HAD A PRAYING MOM THAT GAVE HIM TO GOD…
THERE IS ANOTHER FAMILY THAT DEDICATED THEIR CHILDREN TO GOD… TWO COUSINS, ELIZABETH AND MARY… THEY BOTH GAVE THEIR CHILDREN TO GOD… JOHN THE BAPTIST AND JESUS.
MARY AND JOSEPH TOOK THEIR SON TO CHURCH
Luke 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
There was a special anointing when Mary and Joseph took their child to the temple. An old man and an old woman stood on the promise that they would see the Messiah.
Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
ANNA AN OLD LADY WAS AROUND 100 YEARS OLD WITNESS JESUS’ DEDICATION IN THE CHURCH.
WOW, WHAT A DAY.
THE PARTY OF THE LESSER PART AND GOD THE FATHER ON THE GREATER PART TO WALK DAILY BEFORE THE LORD AND TO BE FAITHFUL TO THE LOCAL CHURCH.
WE PROMISE TO RAISE THIS CHILD IN THE FEAR OF GOD ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF GOD. WE SHALL READ THE BIBLE AND TEACH THIS CHILD TO LOVE AND BE QUICK TO FORGIVE --- REALIZING ON THAT GREAT JUDGMENT DAY WE SHALL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR WORDS AND DEEDS. WE SEEK GOD THAT THE DIVINE SEED WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN WILL BRING MUCH FRUIT TO LAY AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS.
THERE IS A VERY SPECIAL BLESSING GIVEN BY GOD TO THE LEVITES TO PRAY OF GOD’S PEOPLE.
Numbers 6:22 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 23 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, 24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
27 And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.
MAY WE NEVER FORGET THIS MOMENT, AS WE COME IN A COVENANTAL RELATIONSHIP TO RAISE OUR CHILDREN IN THE FEAR AND ADMONITION OF A HOLY GOD.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
