Genesis 1:26-28, 2:18-25
In this portion of our study, we’ll continue looking at Genesis 1:26-28 and Genesis 2:18-25 to focus on a third, important purpose for marriage. I’ll begin by reading Genesis 1:26-28.
A Third PURPOSE for Marriage is,
Procreation
Notice with me that IMMEDIATELY following the creation of man and woman God BLESSED them! In the Old Testament the concept of God’s blessing [barak] is very important. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament states “To bless, means to endue with power for success, prosperity, fecundity (that’s fertility), longevity, etc.” In reading through the Hebrew Scriptures, you’ll notice the connection of God’s blessing and the fruitfulness of the womb. The contrasting word is qalal and means “to esteem very lightly, or to curse.” As you may recall, in the Old Testament, one of the effects of a curse was to be barren or childless.
Look at the first provision of the blessing God gave to Adam and Eve. It was also a command, the command of procreation. “Be fruitful and multiply…” This command of multiplication after one’s kind was also given to the plant and animal life. But there is a major difference with the command of multiplication given to mankind.
As we’ve noted repeatedly in this study, mankind is the only part of creation made in God’s image and likeness. Therefore, the purpose of procreation among human beings is more than simply the propagation of the species. It gives human beings the opportunity and privilege of partnering with God in the creation of other human beings made in His likeness! God’s goal is that the earth would eventually be filled with those who will worship and praise Him. Clearly, procreation is a third major purpose of the marriage relationship. In God’s plan, children are not incidental to marriage; they are an essential part of it. Did you hear me? I said, “In God’s plan, children are not incidental to marriage; they are an essential part of it.”
Unfortunately, many contemporary Christians are rejecting both this blessing and command. An increasing number of professing Christians marry with a commitment to purposeful childlessness. This is exactly opposite of God’s design and intention for both marriage and family. From my observation and study, is usually embraced for selfish purposes. What many do not understand is that you cannot violate God’s principles with impunity! In other words, when people choose to ignore or violate the principles of Scripture, their choices set in motion a series of consequences that will bear undesirable fruit in their lives.
God’s blessing and command was “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion…” Some would say this command was only for early earth dwellers because today our world is overpopulated. But with a little serious research, the myth of overpopulation is easily dispelled. In a list of reasons why people of the world are hungry or starving, the World Food Program, an agency of the United Nations, makes no mention of overpopulation. It simply is a bogus claim by globalists who have an agenda to dominate those whom they consider inferior.
As I mentioned earlier, the blessing and command of procreation is more than simply the propagation of the species. God designed procreation as the result of marital intimacy. After God spoke into existence each part of the creation, he stated that what He had done was good. However, following the creation of Adam, God said in Genesis 2:18, “It is not good that the man should be alone…” So, He put Adam to sleep, took some flesh from his side and built a woman.
When Adam awoke from his surgery, he identified the woman as an integral part of himself. He understood, probably by divine revelation, that this union would facilitate a new family relationship as husband and wife became “one flesh.” Our underst...
