A Child on Loan

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This is a message based on the text found in 1 Samuel chapter 1. It was a sermon used on a Sunday when a child was presented for dedication to the Lord by his parents.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

We just recently celebrated Mother’s Day, and we are soon going to celebrate Father’s Day. Both of these special occasions emphasize the importance and the privilege of rearing children. Today, we are using the occasion of the baby dedication to again focus our thoughts on the matter of bringing children up in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Bringing children into this world and trying to raise them properly is not a job for cowards or sissies. Sometimes the challenge is so great that parents may feel that they truly identify with a statement made by comedian, Bill Cosby in his book titled, Fatherhood. "I guess the real reason that my wife and I had children is the same reason that Napoleon had for invading Russia: it seemed like a good idea at the time."

For those parents whose children are still very young, it might be hard to imagine this, but there will probably come a time in the future, when you’re trying to figure out your teenagers, that you will think you have invaded Russia!

Transition:

It is always a joy and a privilege for me to dedicate babies and children to the Lord. It is an awesome responsibility for parents, pastors and church congregations to bring our children up in the knowledge of God and in fear of the Lord.

(Online humor site) After the dedication of his baby brother in church, little Johnny sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, 'The pastor said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, but I want to stay with you guys!'

In hearing this little joke, we understand that the little fella misunderstood the Pastor’s remarks because he didn’t really understand the meaning of his words. And yet, we certainly recognize the fact that far too many families profess to want a Christian home when they’re at church or around spiritual leaders, but the actual realities at home are far from Christian. The little guy in this joke may have actually revealed more than he realized.

I want to take a few moments to share a couple observations from this passage of Scripture in 1^st Samuel as it relates to rearing our children for the Lord.

1. When we speak of a “child on loan” we refer to the fact that children come from the Lord.

In the Hebrew language, the name Samuel and the word for “asked” sound very similar. (cf. v. 20)

A more literal translation of verses 27-28 could read like this: "For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted my [asking] which I asked of Him: therefore I also make him one asked of the Lord all the days that he lives; he is asked of the Lord."  (Keil and Delitzsch Commentary)

In her comments to the priest Eli, Hannah is confessing that she asked the Lord for a son and received a son from the Lord.

The Hebrew words for “ask” and “lent” are both from the same root. Because of the similarity in the words that are translated “ask” and “lent”, it appears we could interchange the words without doing harm to the underlying meaning.

So, Hannah is essentially saying I prayed to “borrow” a child from the Lord, and he loaned him to me. Then, later she reverses the order and says she has “loaned” him back to the Lord as long as he lives.

A. A child that is on “loan” from God implies that we parents and adults have an awesome responsibility to raise the child and train him the way God would have done it, because he is not really mine, but God’s. We parents and adults are all stewards charged with the task of caring for this child that really belongs to the Lord.

Cf. Galatians 4:1-7, Paul’s reference in Galatians talking about how the law acts like a “tutor” that instructs the child until he is old enough and mature enough to assume the full privileges of the heir of his father. It is similar to the parent being given responsibility to train the child for God until he is ready and able to assume the full privileges and responsibilities of being a child of God himself.

As a parent, it is appropriate to keep in mind that I need to be training my child the way God would do it, because he really belongs to God.

B. A child that is on “loan” from God implies that this life is only temporary.

We must never forget that there is coming a day when every one of us will return to our Creator. Every child and thus, every adult is an eternal soul that will always live forever.

Therefore, it is essential that every one of us not only prepare to meet God by confessing our sins and trusting in the blood of Jesus Christ, but we must help our children come to that same point of commitment to Christ as their own Savior and Lord.

2. When we speak of a “child on loan” we refer to the fact that children are to be given back to the Lord.

Once Samuel was old enough that he could be away from his mother, Hannah takes him back to the Temple to dedicate him back to the service of the Lord. The wording she uses is, “I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord....”

A. A child that has been loaned (dedicated) back to God belongs to God, and therefore God has the right to use him/her however He chooses.

B. A child that has been loaned back to God needs to be trained to plan his life and live his life in full obedience and service to God.

Even though Hannah lent (gave) Samuel back to the Lord, it was necessary for him to learn some important lessons from Eli the priest, i.e. “listen to the voice of God,” etc.

This cannot be done by mere instruction alone. It must also be accomplished by providing the kind of role model that the child can watch and imitate.

Conclusion:

I thank God for the parents that I had. My parents didn’t have college degrees, but they taught me a lot of common sense truths and applications of God’s Word to everyday life.

I also thank God for the children and the parents that we have in our church. All of us, whether we are parents, grandparents, or aunts and uncles, have the sobering responsibility of showing our children what it really means to be truly dedicated to the Lord in every area of life.

We have the responsibility to help our children come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ in order to prepare them for living in this world and in the next one.

As we close, I want to offer a special prayer for each one of us to have the wisdom and understanding that only God can give so that we might discharge our duties in a way that pleases the Lord.