Musing – How and why are we to obey God’s first commandment?

 Hebraic Musing – How and why are we to obey God’s first commandment?

What was God’s first commandment?  In Genesis 1:28 “God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” NIV   Is that what God’s creation has been doing recently?

After the flood, what did God tell Noah to do?  “Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.” Genesis 9:1 NIV   Twice we’ve been told what to do!

Then for the third time, in Genesis 35:11 God promises Jacob, "Be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants," showing that multiplication is both a blessing and a covenantal agreement.

So, I have to ask.  Why is the current birth rate shrinking, especially in the USA?  Could some of the reasons be – Selfish lifestyles; Broken homes; Seeking personal pleasure instead of sharing; etc.?

All to often when asking young marrieds, “How many?” we get answers like – “only 2-3”.  And if you ask “Why not more?” the typical response is “Cannot afford more children, need to maintain our lifestyle, too expensive, there’s other things we want to do, etc.

What’s happening to Birth Rate Trends?  The birth rate in the U.S. was approximately 48.3 live births per 1,000 people in 1800.  This rate fluctuated but declined significantly in subsequent decades to as low as 19.2 births per 1,000 people by 1935.  Following World War II, the birth rate surged, reaching 24.1 births per 1,000 people in 1955.  However, from the 1960s onward, the birth rate is declining and continues to drop to 11.99 in 2025.  The total fertility rate in the U.S. has declined significantly, dropping from 3.1 births per woman in 1950 to 1.6 births per woman by 2024.  The U.S. fertility rate has fallen well below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman in 2023, indicating potential challenges for population stability in the future.

This decline is attributed to factors such as increased access to education and contraception, changing societal norms and roles, and economic considerations.  Are there more women in the workforce?  Why?  Broken marriages, desire to live beyond our means, etc.  (I have to ask, what level of means are we entitled to?!?!).  I find it interesting that the U.S. First Continental Congress in 1775 had 56 members, all of whom were men; now 28 “Congressmen” are women!?!?

When God told us to “be fruitful and multiply” was he referring to numbers only?  Or Does Almighty God want us to be fruitful and multiply in ways beyond physical reproduction?  Might Almighty God also want us believers to be growing in other dimensions as well:

·      Spiritual growth – Developing faith, character, and obedience to God with spiritual fruit -- love, joy, peace, patience, and faithfulness; visible signs of a fruitful life in Christ.

·      Relationships – Nurturing family, friendships, and church community by cultivating a life of abundance and blessings reflecting God’s generosity.  

·      Service and influence – Using our talents, resources, and actions to bless others and expand God’s kingdom by engaging in acts of kindness, teaching, and mentorship to be a positive impact on society.

In essence, the biblical call to "be fruitful and multiply" invites fulfilling God’s purpose physically, spiritually, relationally, and socially  in order to spread God’s blessings throughout the world.  What is the role of “Biblical Marriage”?  I wonder how many couples truly ask the Lord “How many should we have?”  Or is the decision based on selfishly perceived motivation?  Are children an expensive chore or a blessing?

Personally – When I was born, before WWII, I was the oldest of 8.  The first house I owned was in Bolingbrook, IL, and most of our neighbors had 6 to 8 children.  We eventually had 7 children.  And to be honest, I was not thinking about God’s plan when we were enjoying the God-given pleasures of marriage!

Points to ponder

Which one is glad to see the declining Birth rate?   Our Lord or Satan?

When population grows, doesn’t God have more candidates to spend eternity in heaven?

“Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                    August 25, 2026
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”