Dedication means to brings something and place it on the altar before God.

Babies or children dedication is all about giving God what belongs to him first. Giving back to God what already belongs to him; acknowledging that God is the giver of children.

God is the designer of children even before they become yours (Psalms 139:12-16), and knows the plan and purpose for their future (Jeremiah 1:5 MSG).

Biblical examples of people who dedicated their children to God: Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:27-28 (in v11 she made a vow and fulfilled it), Joseph and Mary dedicated Jesus in the temple 40 days after his birth (Luke 2:22), and Abraham dedicated Isaac on the altar (Genesis 22:1-13).

Genesis 22:1-13:

In this passage, Abraham literary gave Isaac back to God.  v2 Shows that he loved Isaac, his miracle baby, who was born to him at the age of 100 years and to Sarah at the age of 90 years. God told him, “Take your son, your only son whom you love and sacrifice him……….”

It must have been painful for him, but by FAITH, he obeyed God (Hebrews 11:17).

Four elements of giving your child back to God:

i. It is a confirmation of your LOVE for God. (Matthew 10:37-39). Though Abraham loved Isaac, he loved God more.

ii. Is a clarification of ownership

The real owner is God, and your realize that you just have the privilege to love and train the child.

• Psalms 127:3 – Children are a blessing and a gift from God (CEV)
• Proverbs 22:6 – Start children on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they’ll not turn from it.
• Proverbs 13:24 – Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
• Ephesians 6:4 – Fathers do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather bring them up with discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
• 2 Timothy 3:14-15 [v15] From infancy you have known the Holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
• Colossians 3:21 – Fathers do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
• Proverbs 29:15 – A rod and reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.
• Proverbs 22:15 – Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but rod of discipline will drive it far away.
• 2 Timothy 1:5
• Deuteronomy 6:6-9
• Deuteronomy 11:18-21

iii. Is a commitment to raise your children the God’s way.

Dedication s not just a ceremony, but a commitment that you will be a godly parent, make your home a holy place, take them to church for fellowship and nourishment. Therefore, dedication means nothing without the commitment to play your part.

iv. Claiming of God’s plan and promises for the child’s life

Genesis 22:15-18 Shows that your children are blessed by your obedience; posturing the children to receive God’s very best.

In v12, God said, “Now I know that you FEAR God because you have not withheld your only son from me.” v16 I SWEAR because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, I will BLESS you, your descendants will be NUMEROUS as the STARS and as the SAND in the sea shore. They will take POSSESSION of their enemies GATES and all nations on earth will be blessed because you have OBEYED me.

Dedication is a matter of Faith

True faith is a forward looking trust in the face of the unknown based on what a believer knows about God.

By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict (Hebrews 11:23).

Moses parents defied Pharaoh’s command (Exodus 1:22), and obeyed God by keeping their son alive (Exodus 2:1-10). Moses was brought up by faith, and himself was a man of faith (Hebrews 11:24-28).

Abraham trusted God even when the future seemed to contradict God’s promises (Hebrews 11:17-18).

Isaac exhibited faith by passing along God’s blessings to his sons, even in his old age (Hebrews 11:20).

Jacob and Joseph both followed suit, looking forward to the future while trusting God to fulfill all he had promised.

Mary and Joseph first presented Jesus to the temple before anywhere else. (Luke 2:22). There in the temple Simeon and Anna prophetically spoke great things about him.

V41-51 – When they could not find Jesus, they knew where to get him – In the temple where they had introduced him.

v44 – They assumed he was with them while traveling back home from the feast in Jerusalem. They traveled for a day without realizing it. (Reflection: How long have you traveled without realizing your children are not following you and your guidance – one day, months or even years?)

v46 – After three days, they found him in the temple (Reflection: Have you attempted to God back to look for your children?).

1 Samuel 2:18-21 – Shows that each year Hannah made Samuel a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. (Reflection: Hannah was a committed mother in the growth and development of the child).

The following passages shows the power of dedication:

Daniel 5  – King Belshazzar’s reign came to an abrupt  end for misusing the temple dedicated items.

Joshua 7 – Achan died for hiding dedicated items for personal use.

In Gen 27 Isaac blesses his children, in Gen 49 Jacob blesses his twelve sons and in Gen 50:24-26 Joseph prophesies about the future.

Only Christ has the power to deliver us from the power of curses: In Gen 49:4 Reuben is cursed by his father Jacob, but in Deut 33:6 the curse is lifted by Moses.