Fertility and fruitfulness are significant themes in scripture.
But have you noticed that some of the big ideas in the Bible also have their fair share of mystery. For example why did God command Abram to be fruitful and multiply knowing full well that Sarai his wife was unable to conceive? And why does God allow people like Onan in Genesis 38 carry the capacity to reproduce even though he refused to be productive?
Fertility
In this blog we will propose five absolutes that we consider exist next to some of the ambiguities on this topic. Let’s begin by noticing the six times (6x) repeated commission in the book of Genesis to ‘be fruitful and multiply’ (see 1:22; 1:28; 8:17; 9:1; 9:7; 35:11).
Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth”
Genesis 1:28 NKJV
Absolute #1: There is a God given mandate to reproduce
Yes – this absolute absolutely first applies to the context of natural reproduction, but as we continue to look at scripture, we see that this is a foretaste – a type – of spiritual reproduction.
Think for example of what is often referred to as ‘The great Commission’:
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV
Someone is counting
If you’ve ever wondered if God cares about numbers, then consider that not only is there a book of the Bible called ‘Numbers’, but it’s clear from the record of the early NT church that someone was actually keeping tally.
Absolute #2: Our fruit matters to Jesus
Then those who gladly received his word were baptised; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them
Acts 2:41 NKJV
Our fruit matters to Jesus, and it’s important in this moment to flag that He only regards it as fruit if it remains (why not check-out John 15:16). In other words – not all that might think is fruit actually lasts.
Simply put, there are two tests for fruit that lasts:
Test #1: Fruit that remains has the characteristics of Jesus Himself.
This was the consuming passion of the Apostle Paul:
My little children, for whom I labour in birth again until Christ is formed in you
Galatians 4:19 NKJV
Fruit that lasts looks like, and sounds like and has the heart of Jesus.
Test #2: Fruit that remains is born according to the Spirit; not the flesh
Interestingly, in his discussion of the Two Covenants in Galatians, Paul references the story of Ishmael and Isaac. This plays into a very big and central theme in his writings: the discussion of works (striving) and grace (believing).
And fruit that remains can’t come from any quasi alternative source. It’s of the Spirit or not at all.
Sower believe
Looking again at the story of Abram and Sarai as they were known initially, we find a prototype for justification through faith.
Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
Genesis 15:5-6 NKJV
Absolute #3: Fruit that remains is produced by grace through faith (not works lest any man should boast)
Perhaps to make sure this particular absolute super clear, God gave each of the three partiarchs (Abraham, Isaac & Jacob) wives who were barren.
Wow!
Let this be an abiding lesson. Fruit which remains is always birthed not by strength or by might but by the Spirit of God; the Hovering One (Genesis 1:2) whom we receive by grace through faith.
Partnering with the Maker
How incomprehensible that Almighty God would want to partner with us; to impregnate us with His abundant life that we would participate in and help populate an abundant harvest.
As a consequence of being born again, our Maker further creates within us His very DNA such that we are transformed from being spiritually barren to abundantly reproductive.
Consider the metaphorical significance of Isaiah 54 in this regard.
Sing, O barren, You who have not borne! For your Maker is your husband.
Isaiah 54:1-5 NKJV
We live in the prophetic fulfilment of this, and are invited to look up to the stars with Abraham, and see the superabundant end time harvest that is yet come in to the storehouse.
Absolute #4: There is absolutely a correlation between sowing and reaping
To again reference Paul’s writings, the measure with which we sow determines the measure with which we reap (1 Corinthians 9:6-7) and then in case we don’t get it, he reminds us just how good God actually is.
Here is a masterclass in matchless grace:
Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.
1 Corinthians 9:10-11 NKJV
Sower abide
God provides the seed by His Grace.
He multiplies the seed by His Grace.
He provides the increase to the fruit by His grace.
And He enriches us in the process by His grace.
Absolute #5: This should absolutely cause thanksgiving from us to God
