The Case for Multiplication
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.
The world’s population is approaching 8 billion people and there’s constant talk of food shortage, famine, and disease. There are reports that climate change, if left unchecked, could cause the world to end by 2030. The gap between the rich and the poor is expanding at a phenomenal rate. We must ask ourselves a question. The question is, “Is it still GOD’s will for man to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the Earth?” In time, I believe I will provide enough evidence to answer this question.
In order to properly address this topic, we need to first take a look at GOD’s original commands, then, clearly define each term. As mentioned in previous articles for GOD’s Will for Man, after HE gave Man the commandment to have dominion, GOD told them to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the Earth. (Genesis 1:28 KJV). Since the Book of Genesis was written in Hebrew, we should look up the words in Hebrew.
But before I go any further, I must mention that there are many people who believe that this passage in scripture was only referring to procreation, not productivity by any other means. However, I believe these terms meant so much more.
The word “Fruitful” in Hebrew means: to bear fruit, bear, bring forth, Be, cause to be, make, fruitful grow, increase. (The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance).
Remember, this was an agricultural society. The terms bear, bring forth, grow, and increase our terms of productivity. When GOD told Adam and Eve this commandment, they were still in the Garden of Eden. GOD had already planted the garden; they only needed to dress and keep it.
So, I propose that “Fruitful” refers to being productive.
The next term is “Multiply”. In Hebrew, the word “Multiply” means to: increase, abundance, be in authority, bring up, enlarge, excel, exceeding, be full of, great, grow up, heap, be long, have, be, give, gather, over, multiply, nourish, plenty, sore, store, thoroughly, very. (The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance).
I think we can all agree that based on the terms, multiply can refer to both having children, and/ or being productive. I take it to mean both.
Finally, the term “Replenish” means: to feel, be full of. (The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance).
I take this to mean procreation. Adam and Eve were the first humans on Earth, so, I believe most would not question that it was GOD’s will for them to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the Earth.
Now let’s look at Noah. After the Earth was flooded, GOD gave Noah and his three sons the same commandment as Adam and Eve; Be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the Earth. (Genesis 9:1 KJV).
Noah’s sons did as GOD commanded, because the Bible says, “These are the three sons of Noah and of them was the whole earth overspread.” (Genesis 9:19 KJV). The Bible does not say that Noah had any more children, but his sons had many sons and daughters and were productive all over the known world.
Next, Abraham was a descendant of Noah’s son Shem. GOD blessed Abraham abundantly. Abraham was very rich in cattle, silver, and gold. Lot, Abraham’s nephew, dwelled in the same place as Abraham. Combined, their possessions were so great that the two had to separate. Abraham allowed Lot to choose the area he wanted to live in. So, Lot took the land by Sodom.
Afterward, GOD told Abraham that as far as his eyes could see from east, west, north, south, the land was his, and for his descendants. The problem was that Abraham didn’t have any children yet.
So, we established that Abraham was very productive in terms of goods, but what about children? For those that know the story, Sarah was barren for many years. Knowing that GOD promised Abraham that he would have many descendants, she thought that she would help GOD and gave Hagar, her servant, to have sex with Abraham.
Back then, wives would sometimes allow their husbands to have children through their servants. When men have relations with multiple women, it led to problems then, and it leads to problems now.
Ishmael was the product of Abraham and Hagar’s encounter.
Then, 13 years later, GOD’s promise to Abraham came true, when Sarah gave birth to Isaac. When most people discuss Abraham’s children, they usually mention Isaac, and sometimes Ishmael. However, after Sarah died, Abraham remarried and had six more sons. So, Abraham was productive, multiplied, and had so many descendants they were like the sand by the sea.
Now, let’s look at King Solomon. Solomon was the son of David. Solomon was one of the richest men who ever lived. GOD gave him great riches after early in his kingdom, Solomon asked for wisdom. So, GOD multiplied Solomon in both wisdom and riches. As far as offspring, let’s just say that Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines.
But who’s counting? He definitely fulfilled the replenishing the Earth part.
There are many other examples of people in the Bible who were productive. However, let’s talk about Jesus. Someone may object to Jesus, because he didn’t amass a lot of Earthly treasures, and he didn’t have physical offspring.
However, I would counter that argument by saying what Jesus did, far out weighted the wisdom of Solomon and the descendants of Abraham. Like Jesus told Peter, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19 KJV). The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ rapidly spread throughout the world after his death. The gospel has changed the lives of billions of people since the ministry of Jesus. There are many churches throughout the world. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has influenced governments, and nations have been created around some of its principles. Jesus was definitely productive in his ministry by influencing the world with his message.
Instead of Jesus having physical offspring via childbirth, he caused billions of people to be reborn spiritually. The Gospel has created men and women of all ethnic groups to become children of GOD. When someone is born again and becomes children of GOD, they are commanded to also be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the Earth. This has caused Jesus’ spiritual offspring to be multitudes upon multitudes of souls. So, Jesus fulfilled GOD’s command to be fruitful and multiply and replenish the Earth.
GOD is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Does GOD’s will for man to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the Earth still apply today?
What about overpopulation, climate change destroying the Earth, famine, and disease?
When discussing the end times with his disciples, Jesus said this, “For nation shall rise against nation, and Kingdom against Kingdom, and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. All these things are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24 7-8).
When looking at Jesus’ prophecy, I see famines and diseases. I also see changes that will affect the Earth. But I do not see GOD reversing his commandment to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the Earth. If GOD foresaw famine, disease, and changes in the Earth, I’m pretty sure HE would have mentioned changes in HIS commandments. Besides, the problems above are all caused by sin, not pollution or overpopulation.
As Christians, we must decide whether we will believe GOD’s Word or people. I trust in a GOD who knows what will happen in the future, and when it happens. GOD’s will was the same for Adam and Eve, and Noah. If you are a Christian, Jesus has called us not only to be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the Earth with physical childbearing, but also spiritual.
So go out and follow the commandments of GOD. Be fruitful, multiply, replenish the Kingdom of GOD. You multiplier!
G. Edward Wyche