"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.' ” (Genesis 1:27-28)
Passing on the Family Line and Establishing a Connection
The eternal God is the source of life. He created Adam and Eve so that humans can reproduce from generation to generation, connect with God, live out God's love, and manifest God's glory.
"This is the written account of Adam’s family line. When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them 'Mankind' when they were created. When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Adam lived a total of 930 years, and then he died." (Genesis 5:1-5)
The description of "Had other sons and daughters" appears more than a dozen times in Genesis Chapter 5 (before the flood) and Chapter 11 (after the flood). The usual pattern of description is: "After X (father's name) became the father of Y (son's name), X (father's name) lived so many years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, X (father's name) lived a total of so many years, and then he died."
The only exception to that description is: "After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived a total of 365 years. Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." (Genesis 5:22-24)
Did you see how Enoch was different from the others?
Human Sinfulness Makes Good Things Difficult
God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, where they could have walked and talked with God. But after they ate the fruit of the tree that God had commanded them not to eat, sin entered the world and mankind. But Enoch was an exception in his walk with God.
Having sons and daughters become complicated when sinful people live in a fallen world. Adam and Eve originally gave birth to Cain and then Abel, but Cain killed his brother Abel, and Adam and Eve later gave birth to Seth.
Although the above verses only record the names of fathers, giving birth to a child is impossible without a mother. The Book of Genesis records the stories of Sarai, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel. Their grudges and love fragments include:
"Now Sarai was childless because she was not able to conceive." (Genesis 11:30)
"Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant." (Genesis 25:21)
"When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless." (Genesis 29:31)
In order to win Jacob's favor by having children, Rachel and Leah each gave their maids to Jacob as concubines. Jacob's two wives and two concubines gave birth to twelve sons and one daughter. Joseph, born to Rachel, was the eleventh son. When his ten half-brothers saw how much their father loved Joseph, they hated him and alienated him, causing the breakdown of their brotherly relationship.
Habits that Alienate People
In his book "Unhappy Teenagers: A way for Parents and Teachers to Reach Them", author William Glasser, M.D. wrote about seven disconnecting habits. We get into such habits as criticizing, blaming, complaining, nagging, threatening, punishing, and rewarding to control others.
However, such external control never really works unless the other person is also motivated by survival, love and belonging, power, freedom and fun. Our children may be afraid of harsh punishments when they are small. But as they grow taller and stronger, any additional control can only lead to power struggles. Which prompt children to say things like "You can't make me!", further undermining the intimacy we so deeply desire.
Dr. Glasser suggested replacing these deadly habits with seven connecting habits. Think back to your own growing years, would you rather have caring, trusting, listening, supporting, consulting, befriending, and encouraging words and actions from your parents?
Let Go and Let God Take Charge
We cannot completely isolate our children from the corrupt world, but we can influence them through love, teaching, discipline, guidance, encouragement, support and good examples. Although some people have never had children, they help people grow, and bring people to God. Because the real help comes from God.
Having children is the continuation of God's great love. Therefore, whether you have children or not, when to have children, how many children to have, or whether they are boys or girls, everything is God's sovereignty and God's good will. Therefore, parents should be grateful for every child, because "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him." (Psalm 127:3)
May all parents walk faithfully with God and be connected to their children in Christ because "His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation." (Luke 1:50)
