It is always fun to reflect on old meditations, like this one from nearly five years ago about what the Bible says about multiplying. We’ve definitely followed through on this verse! Since this posting, we’ve had Josiah, Havilah, Joshua, Priscilla and Zechariah, and two grandchildren, Isaak and Forrest. They’ve filled our lives with joy and love. We can’t imagine life without them.
The picture is recent, but the post is from January 2006. Hope this blesses you this Sunday…
Wendy pictured last summer with our 2nd grandson, Forrest, born to Alicia, our oldest.
At the beginning of this year, I am starting a 3 year journey through the Bible one chapter at a time. Today I start with Chapter 1 of Genesis, the mother chapter for large families. I’m referring to Genesis 1:28, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.”…
You may be surprised to hear that I am hesitant to blast this verse from the mountain top. The key verse at the top of my website is not Genesis 1:28. When a young father shares with me about his temptation to use birth control, I stop short of pounding this verse over his head. When a new mother up to her ears in little children complains to Wendy about never having a moment’s peace, Wendy doesn’t stick it to her by reminding her of how she’s fulfilling Genesis 1:28. I suppose we could always say, “You’re doing the will of Genesis 1:28…so quit complaining!”
No, [parental] frustrations are real. We feel them. Ignoring them would be almost inhumane. Our God (the one who wrote Genesis 1:28) loves us and wants the best for us. He has an abundant life in store for us, and he wants us to live life to the fullest. I look forward to the coming 3 years of bible study to venture into these dynamic and life-giving verses about God.
How then should I respond with Genesis 1:28? Well, for one, I can continue to allow God to bless me with the fruit of children. Just because I don’t pound Genesis 1:28 over people’s heads doesn’t mean I should ignore it all together. For Wendy and me, Genesis 1:28 is speaking directly into our lives. I don’t want to put God in a box and say that He is using this verse to speak just as radiantly in your life, too. He may, but that is for God to judge. If these words are convicting to you, then by all means, weight them carefully. God is speaking to you. However, I won’t stand on the corner and call lightning from heaven to strike you if you walk away from this verse…
If we are made in the image of God, why would we try to restrict the blessing of reproduction? Reproduction: the very word sounds like we’re making widgets off an assembly line. Perhaps what we should call it is re-creation. When we think of recreation, we think of fun, fulfillment, what we love to do when free from the pressures of the world. Wouldn’t it be great if we saw the blessing of children in the same light? I believe God wants us to.
About Chris & Wendy Jeub
