God's command in Genesis 1:28 and its meaning
It meant that human beings had to pro-create. They had to
produce children for God created them as male and female.
It meant that God had initiated monogamous marriage for
He created them as male and female.
It meant that God had ordained sex as a divine gift in
marriage purposely for producing children. This calls for respect of sex.
It meant that man had to co-create with God. They had the
responsibility of working in order to bring the world under their control.
It implied human beings; both male and female were
supreme to other creatures for they were put in charge of the fish, the birds
and all the wild animals.
It meant that human beings, both male and female are
equal of importance before God for they were given equal responsibilities of
producing and bringing the world under their control.
It meant that human beings had to live in harmony with
God and with each other in order for them to bring the world under their
control.
It meant that God gave human beings the responsibility of
protecting the environment for they were instructed to bring the world under
their control.
It implied that human beings had to control such
creatures as fish birds and wild animals for God put them in charge of them.
It implied that humans had the wisdom and knowledge to
differentiate between good and bad.
It meant that human beings are dependent on God as they
received His blessing to have many children and He went on to provide for them
all kinds of grain and fruits to eat.
Besides, it implied that man had to make the world
habitable for them through working as God had done as he created the universe.
It meant that God intended to make marriage permanent.
That is why He created one man for one woman.
It showed that human beings were created as God's
representatives on earth for He gave them power over other creatures.
Therefore, they were empowered to oversee His creation here on earth.
Hindrances
to God's Command in Genesis 1:28 Today
Man's desire to live responsibly and fulfill God's
command of having children and bringing the world under their control is
challenged by a number of obstacles including the following.
The use of birth control measures or contraceptives like
condoms and pills makes procreation difficult for human beings. This is
attributed to improved science and technology.
Diseases especially sexually transmitted like HIV/AIDS
work against procreation. They weaken human beings and they tend to create fear
for sex thus conception may not be possible.
Sexual deviations such homosexuality and lesbianism are
only for pleasure and cannot support procreation.
Some people have tended to carry out abortion. This is
associated with disastrous effects such as barrenness, psychological torture
and death among others.
Some religious beliefs and practices work against
procreation. The institution of priesthood in the Catholic Church is only
relevant to the gospel message other than producing children.
The education system poses a great threat to God's plan
for man to multiply. The young ones tend to spend most of their productive ages
studying and above all, the educated tend to have few children.
There are wars and political conflicts which have left
many people dead and homeless and above all have created unfriendly environment
or the work of pro-creation.
Difficult economic situations like poverty may render
many people helpless in their attempt to have children and bring the world
under their control.' Some parents fear to produce many children because of the
fear of supporting large families.
Some cultural and legal requirements delay use of sex for
pro-creation. Such a practice like bride wealth as pre-condition for marriage
may make it difficult for a person to begin the work of procreation.
The working pattern today threatens man's effort to
produce children. The couples are ever pre-occupied with their work load that
they have no time for each other and above all some even live far apart because
of their duties.
Natural calamities like floods and earthquakes are
threatening survival of human beings and making it difficult for them to bring
the world under control.
The ever increasing wars and political conflicts have
left many people dead and homeless. Besides, they tend to create unfriendly
environment for procreation.
Environmental degradation is having disastrous effects on
man's living and ability to bring the world under control. Among others, they
bring about deforestation.
Living single today is fashionable among the young
people. However, remaining unmarried tends to work against God's command of
procreation.
Revision
Question
Discuss the hindrances or the obstacles to God's command
in Genesis1:28
PROBLEMS
ARISING FROM FULFILLING GOD'S COMMAND GENESIS 1:28
High population growth rate, which tends to put a lot of
pressure on the available resources especially the non- renewable like land.
Diseases especially sexually transmitted ones like HIV
and AIDS, which are claiming so many souls.
Environmental degradation with all its disastrous effects
like the looming global warming. This is a threat to man's survival.
Invention of weapons of mass destruction like atomic and
nuclear bombs as man tries to tame the world. This tends to cause the feeling
of insecurity thereby hindering some progress.
Increased wars and political conflicts as people are
trying to bring the world under their control. These have left many people dead
and homeless.
Difficult economic conditions like poverty and
unemployment are attributed to the ever increasing population growth rate. This
tends to render many people helpless to support themselves.
Some of man's activities have caused disasters like
floods and landslides. This threatens survival of human beings.
Family instability or conflict as some couples tends to
disagree over the number of children they should have.
High crime rate as caused by hardship as many try cope
with them so that they may live a better live.