"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Prov 22:6).

Several weeks ago I had the privilege of dedicating two more of my grandchildren to the Lord–Elizabeth Ashlynn Murrell and Luke Addison Murrell. What a joy it was.

One of the provisions of the New Covenant is that God will write His law upon the hearts of His people to guide them in what He wants them to do (Hebrew 8:8-13). Many parents dedicate their children to Christ in a formal act of worship. The concept of the consecration of children finds a precedent in principle–we believe–in the Old Testament when the firstborn in Israel were dedicated to God. In Exodus 13:1-2 we read, "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine."

Of particular concern were the male children for each first born child was a spiritual type of the Messiah to come. In Luke 2:7 we read that Mary "brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."

Each male firstborn child anticipated the coming of the Messiah and so had to be redeemed, (either by being replaced with a Levite or) by the payment of a redemption price of five shekels (Num 3:40-44). Undergirding the act of paying a redemption price was a simple concept. In a symbolic act the people were reminded they belonged to the Lord in a unique way.

God claimed a special relation to Israel by His promises to Abraham, by His raising Moses to be their Leader, by the use of many miracles to bring them out of Egyptian bondage. He did not want them to forget they were a unique and purchased people. The Lord wanted Israel to remember the blood of the lamb that had redeemed them.

On the night before they left their state of slavery in Egypt the Hebrew people made a sacrifice. The blood of an innocent lamb was smeared on the doorpost of their homes. In the middle of the night a Death Angel came. But when he saw the blood he passed over the house and the firstborn was protected.

The night of the Passover anticipated the death of the Messiah. Mary’s first-born Son would die at a place called Calvary. Her Son would become the great Lamb of God "that taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). When the blood of Christ is applied to the door of the heart by faith the Eternal Death Angel passes over. John G. Foote aptly remembers the grace of God is his poem:

"Christ our Redeemer died on the cross,
Died for the sinner, paid all his due.
All who receive Him need never fear,
Yes, He will pass, will pass over you.

When I see the blood,
When I see the blood,
When I see the blood,
I will pass, I will pass over you.

Chiefest of sinners, Jesus can save;
As He has promised, that He will do.
Oh sinner, hear Him, trust in His word,
Then He will pass, will pass over you.

Judgment is coming, all will be there,
Who have rejected, who have refused?
Oh, sinner, hasten, let Jesus in,
Then God will pass, will pass over you.

O great compassion! O boundless love!
Jesus hath power, Jesus is true;
All who believe are safe from the storm.
Oh, He will pass, will pass over you".

In the New Testament economy there is no need for the symbols of the Old Testament and so there are is no commandment in the New Testament to redeem our children. However, there is a natural longing in the heart of many parents to dedicate their children to the Lord. And there is the comfort of knowing that children were once brought to Christ for a special blessing. "Then were there brought unto him little children that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence" (Matthew 19:13-15). For anyone who might be concerned with the concept of a baby dedication there should be no discomfort in seeking to have the Lord bless the little ones in a special way. Christian parents: dedicate your children to Christ.