HOMILETICS "The Song of Hannah"

(The importance of the preacher's exegetical work is greater than the life-span of one sermon. It has more to do with the life-span of the preacher himself. Exegetical study maketh the exact theologian. His study builds his ministering. It is therefore interesting to examine the relationship between a detailed exegetical study of a text and a sermon that is preached as part of its results. This issue provides such an opportunity. Ralph Klein offers a sermon that he preached in the chapel of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in the Advent season last year, together with his exegetical study of the text. The order of the service is also given to indicate the context in which the sermon was preached, following as it did the compilation of Scripture reading done responsively and the psalm-like words of praise which the hearers had spoken, as well as the singing of the paraphrase of the Magnificat. The exegetical article illustrates more than the development of a sermon. It serves also as a review of the steps of Biblical interpretation and as an example of the methodology employed in the basic courses in Biblical techniques required of all students at Concordia Seminary. The sermon itself supplies helpful angles for those who are about to be caught up in the additional preaching tasks of the Advent season. It will be interesting to hear of the variation in Advent sermon series that will be developed out of the germinal thoughts included in this single message. May He give strength to His King! ) GEORGE W. HOYER