Be Fruitful and Multiply

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
James 2:10

The kids and I reread the creation story from Genesis as our Jesse Tree reading for the day. Although I must have read those verses at least 20 times, something new jumped out at me this morning. (I love when that happens!)

As early as Genesis 1:11, God says, "Let the land produce vegetation..." (NIV). The King James translates it as, "Let the earth bring forth grass...". Verse 12 says that the land produced (brought forth) vegetation. When God creates sea creatures and birds, He blesses them and tells them, "Be fruitful and increase in number..." (NIV); "Be fruitful and multiply... (KJV). The land animals are to do the same. And finally, in Genesis 1:28, God tells Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful and increase in number (multiply), fill (replenish) the earth, and subdue it. Rule (have dominion) over [every living creature]."

Having experienced infertility for many years, I always saw these passages as the command I could never fulfill. The big glaring spotlight trained right on me, reminding everyone I had failed. But with the scripture readings from just a few Sundays ago about the Parable of the Talents still fresh in my mind, I realized this morning that our being fruitful doesn't just have to mean giving birth to biological children. An economist recently said, "Our country is in financial trouble because instead of producing and saving, we are consuming and spending." I can produce and be fruitful in the smallest of ways. I can do it by cleaning the bathroom mirror without inwardly grumbling. I can do it in a life-changing permanent way. By teaching my children about God, His word, His Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Wow. Hopeful words. Humbling words. Hard words.

(I typed in the phrase "be fruitful and multiply" and searched images, only to find this photo above. Interesting, don't you think?)