Bible Background - The Promise

Simeon

By Rev. Lon Vining (Glorious Films)

We may not think of it in these terms, but those who dedicate their whole lives to God are in a partnership with the Almighty. The righteous man Simeon in our story is a great example. Simeon is the one to whom God made the promise that he would not die before seeing the promised Messiah (Luke 2:21ff).

The little we know about Simeon shows ample evidence of his fruitful partnership with God. He was “righteous,” meaning he aligned his life with the law and character of God; he is faithful, evidenced by believing God’s promise to him; and he was on mission with God, meaning that he was anticipating the arrival of the Messiah and he announced his arrival to others when he came.  Simeon is God’s partner on the earth because he knew, believed and acted in concert with God and God’s purposes.

Jesus’ Dedication in the Temple

By Rev. Lon Vining

In addition, Exodus 13:1-2, 12-16 indicate that the consecration (dedication) of the firstborn of the animals, and in particular, the sons, was to be a reminder to Israel of its great debt to the LORD, delivering them from slavery in Egypt. It is also likely tied to the Passover covenant in which the Hebrews' firstborns were spared from death by following the LORD's commandments concerning the Passover lamb. Thus, the firstborns were "the LORD's" because, without Him, they would not even exist - He had bought them and delivered them from death, and slavery. Firstborn sons can be thought of as a type of first fruits, or tithe, owed to the LORD, that had to be redeemed (bought).

The ordinance was designed to be a memory aide for Israel's adults and children, to remind them of the salvation wrought by the LORD from slavery in Egypt. (Lev. 13:16)

It is appropriate that the ultimate Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ, would be dedicated at the temple. Though he was redeemed from death (i.e., he did not have to die), he chose to offer himself in order that the sins of his people might be "passed over" and delivered from death and from "the house of slavery".