A Mother Gifts Her Firstborn Son to The Lord 1 Samuel 1 21 28
Series: Epiphany Old Testament Sermons
February 02, 2025
Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of our Lord 2/2/25 Sermon Text: 1 Samuel 1:18-25 Sermon Theme: “A Mother Gifts Her Firstborn Son To The Lord!” I. The Burden She Bore. (Vs.21-22). II. The Sacrifice She Made! (Vs.23-24) III. The Gift The Lord Gives! (Vs.25-28) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
Episode Notes
The Purification of Mary and the Presentation of our Lord 2/2/25
Sermon Text: 1 Samuel 1:18-25
Sermon Theme: “A Mother Gifts Her Firstborn Son To The Lord!” I. The Burden She Bore. (Vs.21-22). II. The Sacrifice She Made! (Vs.23-24) III. The Gift The Lord Gives! (Vs.25-28) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. Psa 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Pilgrims sang these words going up to worship the Lord God in His Temple at Jerusalem. The 127th Psalm is one of the fifteen “songs of assents.” The children of Israel always went “up to the Lord” “up to Jerusalem” for on mount Zion the Lord had placed His Holy Only Saving Name. The songs of assent are Psalms 120 to 134. King David wrote four of these pilgrim songs. King Solomon wrote one the 127th. The rest have anonymous authors. These hymns lifted the hearts of pilgrims as they journeyed up where the Holy God promised to draw near to them through His Word, Sacrifice, and festive meals of forgiveness. They echo the songs song by God’s children since the Exodus where God gave them His ceremonial law through His servant Moses.
These hymns echo the hopes and prayers of God’s people from Adam and Eve onward. On the day of our rebellion against our Creator and His Life creating and sustaining Word in our first parents. The Lord God sought out His rebellious lost children through the still small voice of His Word preached. Adam and his wife were deceived by Satan’s lying words surrendering themselves to eat and know evil. All humanity was torn from communion with Life to be enslaved to sin, lust, evil, and death. Satan rejoiced to destroy the crown of God’s creation - mankind - male and female - marriage - the family. In mercy our Creator hid Himself in His Word seeking His beloved lost children. He preached, “Repent!” “Be honest!” “Turn from your sin!” “Return to Me!” “Hear the Good News!” “A Male Child will be born of a Virgin Mother!” “He will undo the devil’s lie and corruption!” “He is The Truth!” “He will shepherd you back to Me!” “He is the Way!” “He will take your sin, death, and hell into Himself!” “Nailed upon the Tree bearing all your evil - He will crush Satan’s head once for all!” “Welcoming you back to eat of the Tree of Life in His flesh and blood!” “He is The Life!”
Sin and rebellion bring consequences. History records, Gen 3:16 To the woman He said: "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you." Adam taken from the dust would return to the dust of death for through him sin, death, and corruption entered our world enslaving us to the lies of the devil’s self-serving wisdom. Even though thorn and thistle would now inhabit our world as Adam farmed to bring food to his table through the sweat of his brow. He clung to the promise of Jesus, the Head Crusher, the Seed of the Virgin. Clinging to Jesus, he blessed his wife with the name, “Eve” - “Life”. He honored her for she would be the “mother of all living.”
Clothed by God through the sacrifice of an innocent animal, most likely a lamb, whose innocent blood atoned for their sin and spotless skin became their clothing they left Eden. The Lord God remember them and blessed them with children. History records, Gen 4:1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have acquired a man from the LORD." Solomon echos this song of Eve in the 127th Psalm: Psa 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Sadly we know Eve’s firstborn son, Cain, murdered his brother Abel. Worship wars began. God the Holy Spirit teaches, Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” A mother’s love for her children goes to her very core. Our Lord uses it as an illustration of His love for us rebellious children, Isa 49:15-16 "Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. (16) See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.
Today, 40 days after celebrating the birth of the Virgin Mary’s firstborn Son, we celebrate the purification of Mary and the presentation of Jesus in the Temple. From the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, every first born son belonged to the Lord. He was to be bought back by sacrifice, just as the shedding of the blood of a lamb protected the children of Israel from the angel of death. The poorest parents could bring a pair of doves for sacrifice. One for their Son, the other to purify the mother after giving birth. Therefore see in the Virgin Mary and Hannah - “A Mother Gifts Her Firstborn Son To The Lord!” I. The Burden She Bore. (Vs.21-22). II. The Sacrifice She Made! (Vs.23-24) III. The Gift The Lord Gives! (Vs.25-28)
I. “I’ve never had a woman in my study crying that she had too many children,” said a pastor reflecting back on his fifty years as a pastor, “but, I’ve had many women crying that they never could have children.” Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, knew the burden of bareness. Her history and song are recorded in the first two chapters of 1Samuel. Hannah’s name means “grace.” She was the first wife of Elkanah. When Hannah was barren, he followed pagan culture, and took another wife Peninnah. Peninnah had many sons and daughters. She would mock Hannah’s bareness. Hannah became depressed, weeping, not eating - she was miserable for the Lord had closed her womb. Hannah bore the cross of unfulfilled motherhood. A cross born by Sarah the wife of Abraham, Rebekah the wife of Isaac, and Rachel the wife of Jacob. History records Penniah’s mistreatment of Hannah: 1Sa 1:6-7 And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the LORD had closed her womb. (7) So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat. Women know the burden of bareness. All our modern technology cannot ensure her womb will become fruitful. Mothers who lost their babies to miscarriage know the pain of Hannah, as do mothers whose children have died, and mothers who following the lie lost their babies through abortion’s holocaust in these last days. Where can they turn? Worshiping at the Lord’s House, the Tabernacle in Shiloh, Hannah gets up from the festive sacrificial meal to pour out her heart in prayer before the Lord’s tent church. Eli the priest sees her lips moving, but hears not words. Just as reading was never done silently, prayer to the Lord God was always spoken aloud. Eli seeing this woman’s tears mouthing inaudible words - assumes the worst. 1Sa 1:14-18 So Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!" (15) But Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. (16) Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now." (17) Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him." (18) And she said, "Let your maidservant find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” Hannah’s humble acceptance of God’s Word of Hope preached by His messenger would be echoed by the young virgin Mary engaged to Joseph. “Let it be to me according to your word, “ she spoke to the angelic preacher Gabriel. The Holy Spirit created life - the Son of God/ the Son of Man in her womb through God’s promise received by her ears.
History records of Hannah (vs.21-22) The Lord remembered Hannah opening her womb and blessing Elkanah and her with an infant son. She named him, ‘Samuel” - “the Lord hears” for our gracious God hears our tears and cries answering them with life.
II. What mother would be willing to give their firstborn son back to the Lord? Children are God’s heritage given into our stewardship to raise them for Him. They aren’t “my children” they are “His children entrusted for a time to my care in His name and stead.” For three years Hannah raised her boy Samuel, nourishing him at her breast. Now he was weaned and she would fulfill her promise. (Vs.23-24) How can a mother leave her three and a half year old son at the Lord’s House?
We might charge her with abuse, but think nothing of leaving our children for 8 hours or more a day at daycare, entrusting them to schools, or lending them to sports, dance, or other distractions separating them from our family. Hannah must’ve been a fanatic, we are just fans as we prioritize Sunday morning games and practice over bringing our children into the Lord’s House and into the presence of Jesus. Mar 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.”
Forty days after His birth the Virgin Mary brings her Son into His Temple. God is now present, tabernacling, among His people - sinners for His Name is Jesus - Savior of sinners. Simeon tells Mary, Luk 2:34-35 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (35) (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." Mary would stand as her Son was sacrificed for our sins upon the cross. Her heart would be broken, as only a mother’s heart can be, that she might be purified from her sins through His bloody sacrifice.
Hannah and Elknah bring three bulls - sin offerings - one for each year of Samuel’s life. They now dedicate their son to serve the Lord in His House for life. The priest Eli’s wife will nurture and care for Samuel as he grows. Hannah will sew her son robes to wear as he grows up to serve the Lord. Parents learn from Hannah and Mary to bring your sons and daughters to Jesus from infancy. Let Him baptize them and then bring them into His House every Sunday to hear and see their Savior through their ears. Dedicate them to the Lord daily in your homes through Scripture study, hymn singing, and prayer with and for one another. Never wean them from the pure milk of God’s Word. 1Pe 2:2-3 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, (3) if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Teach them to be fed by their Mother - the Church.
III. The sacrifice is slaughtered, offered to atone for their sins upon the altar, and then its flesh is feasted upon as God draws near to bless. (Vs.25-26) Hannah presents Samuel to the Lord through Eli. She lends him to the Lord as long as he lives. She echos the Gospel spoken to our first parents in the darkness of our sinful rebellion. God the Father would lend His only begotten Son to sinful humanity. He would bear their burden, carry our sorrow, heal us by His stripes, die in our place, and be raised bringing us Home to our Father by the Holy Spirit. Jesus lives forever - He is given for you - as long as He lives - He is yours and you are His.
Learn well. What you keep for yourself you loose, what you give to the Lord caring for your fellow sinners - you still have. Present your children daily to the Lord. Confess your sins daily and let Jesus purify you from all your sins with His Holy precious sacrifice. Then on the day of resurrection you will echo Jacob’s words to Esau: Gen 33:5 And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, "Who are these with you?" So he said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant." Amen.
Sermon Text: 1 Samuel 1:18-25
Sermon Theme: “A Mother Gifts Her Firstborn Son To The Lord!” I. The Burden She Bore. (Vs.21-22). II. The Sacrifice She Made! (Vs.23-24) III. The Gift The Lord Gives! (Vs.25-28) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. Psa 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Pilgrims sang these words going up to worship the Lord God in His Temple at Jerusalem. The 127th Psalm is one of the fifteen “songs of assents.” The children of Israel always went “up to the Lord” “up to Jerusalem” for on mount Zion the Lord had placed His Holy Only Saving Name. The songs of assent are Psalms 120 to 134. King David wrote four of these pilgrim songs. King Solomon wrote one the 127th. The rest have anonymous authors. These hymns lifted the hearts of pilgrims as they journeyed up where the Holy God promised to draw near to them through His Word, Sacrifice, and festive meals of forgiveness. They echo the songs song by God’s children since the Exodus where God gave them His ceremonial law through His servant Moses.
These hymns echo the hopes and prayers of God’s people from Adam and Eve onward. On the day of our rebellion against our Creator and His Life creating and sustaining Word in our first parents. The Lord God sought out His rebellious lost children through the still small voice of His Word preached. Adam and his wife were deceived by Satan’s lying words surrendering themselves to eat and know evil. All humanity was torn from communion with Life to be enslaved to sin, lust, evil, and death. Satan rejoiced to destroy the crown of God’s creation - mankind - male and female - marriage - the family. In mercy our Creator hid Himself in His Word seeking His beloved lost children. He preached, “Repent!” “Be honest!” “Turn from your sin!” “Return to Me!” “Hear the Good News!” “A Male Child will be born of a Virgin Mother!” “He will undo the devil’s lie and corruption!” “He is The Truth!” “He will shepherd you back to Me!” “He is the Way!” “He will take your sin, death, and hell into Himself!” “Nailed upon the Tree bearing all your evil - He will crush Satan’s head once for all!” “Welcoming you back to eat of the Tree of Life in His flesh and blood!” “He is The Life!”
Sin and rebellion bring consequences. History records, Gen 3:16 To the woman He said: "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you." Adam taken from the dust would return to the dust of death for through him sin, death, and corruption entered our world enslaving us to the lies of the devil’s self-serving wisdom. Even though thorn and thistle would now inhabit our world as Adam farmed to bring food to his table through the sweat of his brow. He clung to the promise of Jesus, the Head Crusher, the Seed of the Virgin. Clinging to Jesus, he blessed his wife with the name, “Eve” - “Life”. He honored her for she would be the “mother of all living.”
Clothed by God through the sacrifice of an innocent animal, most likely a lamb, whose innocent blood atoned for their sin and spotless skin became their clothing they left Eden. The Lord God remember them and blessed them with children. History records, Gen 4:1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have acquired a man from the LORD." Solomon echos this song of Eve in the 127th Psalm: Psa 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Sadly we know Eve’s firstborn son, Cain, murdered his brother Abel. Worship wars began. God the Holy Spirit teaches, Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” A mother’s love for her children goes to her very core. Our Lord uses it as an illustration of His love for us rebellious children, Isa 49:15-16 "Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. (16) See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.
Today, 40 days after celebrating the birth of the Virgin Mary’s firstborn Son, we celebrate the purification of Mary and the presentation of Jesus in the Temple. From the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, every first born son belonged to the Lord. He was to be bought back by sacrifice, just as the shedding of the blood of a lamb protected the children of Israel from the angel of death. The poorest parents could bring a pair of doves for sacrifice. One for their Son, the other to purify the mother after giving birth. Therefore see in the Virgin Mary and Hannah - “A Mother Gifts Her Firstborn Son To The Lord!” I. The Burden She Bore. (Vs.21-22). II. The Sacrifice She Made! (Vs.23-24) III. The Gift The Lord Gives! (Vs.25-28)
I. “I’ve never had a woman in my study crying that she had too many children,” said a pastor reflecting back on his fifty years as a pastor, “but, I’ve had many women crying that they never could have children.” Hannah, the wife of Elkanah, knew the burden of bareness. Her history and song are recorded in the first two chapters of 1Samuel. Hannah’s name means “grace.” She was the first wife of Elkanah. When Hannah was barren, he followed pagan culture, and took another wife Peninnah. Peninnah had many sons and daughters. She would mock Hannah’s bareness. Hannah became depressed, weeping, not eating - she was miserable for the Lord had closed her womb. Hannah bore the cross of unfulfilled motherhood. A cross born by Sarah the wife of Abraham, Rebekah the wife of Isaac, and Rachel the wife of Jacob. History records Penniah’s mistreatment of Hannah: 1Sa 1:6-7 And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the LORD had closed her womb. (7) So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat. Women know the burden of bareness. All our modern technology cannot ensure her womb will become fruitful. Mothers who lost their babies to miscarriage know the pain of Hannah, as do mothers whose children have died, and mothers who following the lie lost their babies through abortion’s holocaust in these last days. Where can they turn? Worshiping at the Lord’s House, the Tabernacle in Shiloh, Hannah gets up from the festive sacrificial meal to pour out her heart in prayer before the Lord’s tent church. Eli the priest sees her lips moving, but hears not words. Just as reading was never done silently, prayer to the Lord God was always spoken aloud. Eli seeing this woman’s tears mouthing inaudible words - assumes the worst. 1Sa 1:14-18 So Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!" (15) But Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. (16) Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now." (17) Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him." (18) And she said, "Let your maidservant find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” Hannah’s humble acceptance of God’s Word of Hope preached by His messenger would be echoed by the young virgin Mary engaged to Joseph. “Let it be to me according to your word, “ she spoke to the angelic preacher Gabriel. The Holy Spirit created life - the Son of God/ the Son of Man in her womb through God’s promise received by her ears.
History records of Hannah (vs.21-22) The Lord remembered Hannah opening her womb and blessing Elkanah and her with an infant son. She named him, ‘Samuel” - “the Lord hears” for our gracious God hears our tears and cries answering them with life.
II. What mother would be willing to give their firstborn son back to the Lord? Children are God’s heritage given into our stewardship to raise them for Him. They aren’t “my children” they are “His children entrusted for a time to my care in His name and stead.” For three years Hannah raised her boy Samuel, nourishing him at her breast. Now he was weaned and she would fulfill her promise. (Vs.23-24) How can a mother leave her three and a half year old son at the Lord’s House?
We might charge her with abuse, but think nothing of leaving our children for 8 hours or more a day at daycare, entrusting them to schools, or lending them to sports, dance, or other distractions separating them from our family. Hannah must’ve been a fanatic, we are just fans as we prioritize Sunday morning games and practice over bringing our children into the Lord’s House and into the presence of Jesus. Mar 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.”
Forty days after His birth the Virgin Mary brings her Son into His Temple. God is now present, tabernacling, among His people - sinners for His Name is Jesus - Savior of sinners. Simeon tells Mary, Luk 2:34-35 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (35) (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." Mary would stand as her Son was sacrificed for our sins upon the cross. Her heart would be broken, as only a mother’s heart can be, that she might be purified from her sins through His bloody sacrifice.
Hannah and Elknah bring three bulls - sin offerings - one for each year of Samuel’s life. They now dedicate their son to serve the Lord in His House for life. The priest Eli’s wife will nurture and care for Samuel as he grows. Hannah will sew her son robes to wear as he grows up to serve the Lord. Parents learn from Hannah and Mary to bring your sons and daughters to Jesus from infancy. Let Him baptize them and then bring them into His House every Sunday to hear and see their Savior through their ears. Dedicate them to the Lord daily in your homes through Scripture study, hymn singing, and prayer with and for one another. Never wean them from the pure milk of God’s Word. 1Pe 2:2-3 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, (3) if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Teach them to be fed by their Mother - the Church.
III. The sacrifice is slaughtered, offered to atone for their sins upon the altar, and then its flesh is feasted upon as God draws near to bless. (Vs.25-26) Hannah presents Samuel to the Lord through Eli. She lends him to the Lord as long as he lives. She echos the Gospel spoken to our first parents in the darkness of our sinful rebellion. God the Father would lend His only begotten Son to sinful humanity. He would bear their burden, carry our sorrow, heal us by His stripes, die in our place, and be raised bringing us Home to our Father by the Holy Spirit. Jesus lives forever - He is given for you - as long as He lives - He is yours and you are His.
Learn well. What you keep for yourself you loose, what you give to the Lord caring for your fellow sinners - you still have. Present your children daily to the Lord. Confess your sins daily and let Jesus purify you from all your sins with His Holy precious sacrifice. Then on the day of resurrection you will echo Jacob’s words to Esau: Gen 33:5 And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, "Who are these with you?" So he said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant." Amen.
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