January 25, 2019
We rarely think of the long-term results of God's instructions. At the moment when we read any Biblical direction from God, we think, "Do I want to do that now? It doesn't seem to have a benefit for me in this moment." This is often the rationale behind our unwillingness to follow His directives.
We should obey instantly because we have come to know that God is good and His commands are always for our good, others good, and His glory and the advance of His kingdom. Maturing believers respond this way.
A CASE IN POINT
When Joseph's father and brothers came to Egypt, they were "70 in number" the Bible says. Several years later, we read this amazing account:
Exodus 1
7 But the sons of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly, and multiplied, and became exceedingly mighty, so that the land was filled with them.
8 Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.
9 He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we.
This population explosion among the Israelites led to their increasing strength, which led to their enslavement, but also led to their freedom and entrance into the Promised Land. But, it all stemmed from the first command ever given to men and women, which the Israelites were faithful to, found in Genesis 1:28:
God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
(This command, by the way, has never been revoked or changed by God to this day.)
FEWER
I read a book several years ago by a secular author entitled "Fewer." His alarming statistical study showed that it takes a birth rate of 2.1 to sustain a nation. He used Europe as an example showing that their birth rate had dropped well below this. The Muslim population, however, do not practice birth control and believe that children are a blessing. Therefore, his contention was that in a matter of 1 generation (40 years) multiple nations would become predominately Muslim. Which is exactly what has happened.
America's rate is now at 1.76, which is unsustainable. Birth control is an assumed posture by most couples in America. Add to that the fact that we are aborting close to 900,000 babies each year.
According to researchers at Columbia University, "To put this in perspective, the total fertility rate hovered around 3.0 in the early 1900's, declined to replacement levels of 2.1 in the 1940's, reached a peak of 3.7 in the post-World War 2 baby boom, and then declined rapidly to the relatively stable low levels in the 1970's."
COULD IT BE ...
… that God knows what He's doing? That His command to have children has a long-term purpose for His kingdom and the spiritual health of nations?
It was true of the Israelites. Here's an interesting question: What if the Christ followers in America followed this first command, allowing God to give them however many children He desired and they "multiplied exceedingly?” And, what if that explosion of believing families could have an effect on the moral and spiritual climate of the nation?
What results could that have for the kingdom in the next 40 years in America?
Just a thought ...
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