God reiterates the commission with emphasis: be fruitful and increase in number, multiply on the earth and increase upon it. The double repetition of the fruitfulness mandate in this chapter (verse 1 and verse 7) frames the new covenant commitments of verses 2–6 — the context for the expanded freedoms and the new accountability structure is the original creational calling to fill the earth. The flood has not changed what humanity is for; it has re-grounded it in a new covenant. Psalm 128:3–4 celebrates fruitfulness in family as one of the blessings of those who fear the LORD. The application is not only biological — the New Testament extends 'fruitfulness' to encompass every kind of multiplication of life that image-bearers are designed to produce: relationships, communities, wisdom, creativity, love. In what specific way is God calling you to increase and multiply — to be more generatively present in the world around you?

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse