fruitful and increasing in number through Adam and Noah to Abraham it became clear that the first fulfillment of God’s promise to Adam was in the Abrahamic covenant.
However, the ultimate fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise for descendants and kings is fulfilled in Christ. With the coming of Jesus as the Messiah, the New Testament demonstrates several points of relationship to the Abrahamic Covenant. First, Jesus is viewed as the one whom God sent to effect the deliverance of Israel from her enemies according to his promises to Abraham (Luke 1:54–55, 68–75). Keith Essex argues that “this deliverance will be accomplished, and the Abrahamic Covenant fully fulfilled, when the Messiah causes the Israelites to repent (Acts 3:25–26). It will be at the time of Israel’s repentance which will lead to the period of restoration of all things spoken by the prophets, including Israel’s possession of and prosperity in the land of Canaan (Acts 3:19–24).”46
Second, the New Testament portrays the nation of Israel as descendants of Abraham’s seed (cf. Luke 16:24; 19:9; John 8:37; Acts 13:26; Rom 11:1). However, being the physical “seed” of Abraham does not necessarily mean that they will experience the fulfillment of the blessings associated with the promise (Matt 8:11; Luke 13:28). Just as with Gentiles, an Israelite must come to faith leading to repentance to experience the Lord’s deliverance and blessing (Acts 3:19–26).
Third, the New Testament calls Gentile believers “the seed of Abraham” because of their adoption by Jesus through faith (Gal 3:6–29). Galatians 3:16 reads, “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say ‘and to seeds,’ meaning many people, but ‘and to your seed,’ meaning one person, who is Christ.” This passage specifies that Jesus, as the Messiah, is the seed described in the covenant and the one who conveys the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant to both the Israelites and the Gentiles (cf. Gen 22:17b–18). According to Essex, the church today experiences in Christ some spiritual benefits that Israel and the nations will experience (with physical results) in the future when Jesus implements fully the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant. The New Testament, like the Old, views the complete fulfillment of the Lord’s promises to Abraham as a future event (Matt 8:11; Acts 3:19–26; Rom 11:25–32).47
Therefore, the individuals in the church enter into the promises of blessing given to those in Christ and to this extent are the spiritual children of Abraham. This is expressly stated in Gal 3:7: “Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.” The passage continues: “Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith” (Gal 3:8–9). In other words, those who believe in Jesus are grafted into the promises and blessings given to Adam, Noah, and Abraham.
Galatians 3:7–9 also provides the link for understanding “be fruitful and increase in number” to the modern church. One of the primary goals to increasing in number for the Abrahamic covenant is to enlarge the number of believers in God. This aspect of the promise is now identified with Jesus and with spreading the gospel message and creating a multitude of believers (Rev 7:9). Therefore, perhaps the most important enduring interpretation for “be fruitful and increase in number” is to expand the number of Christians through evangelism, as Matt 28:18–20 commands: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Questions for Further Study
Discussion Questions
1) After reading the chapter and in light of Gen 1:28, should the church hold a position on the use of contraception methods after marriage?
2) After reading the chapter and considering Gen 1:28, what should the Christian position be on protecting the environment?
3) The Apostle Paul chose not to have children. Did he violate God’s command in Gen 1:28 to “be fruitful and increase in number”?
Assignments
1) Word Study: be fruitful
There are twenty-nine occurrences of verb to be fruitful (prh) in the Old Testament. Create a chart and identify each of the occurrences with the translation of the verse where the verb is used. In a column to the right of the verse summarize the intent of the use of the verb and whether this use can be linked to the use in Gen 1:28. Below the chart add a concluding paragraph that summarize the different ways that the verb might be translated and the best understanding of the word in Gen 1:28. You may want to use the following link to help with your study: http://biblehub.com/hebrew/6509.htm
2) Word Study: Subdue/Dominion/Rule over
Genesis 1:28 uses two verbs to describe the relationship between mankind and God’s creation. The verb for “subdue” (kbsh) is found in Gen 1:28 and fourteen other places in the Old Testament. Similarly, there are twenty-seven occurrences of verb to “rule over” (rdh) in the Old Testament. Create a chart and identify each of the occurrences with the translation of the verse where the verbs are used. In a column to the right of the verse summarize the intent of the use of the verb and whether this use can be linked to the use in Gen 1:28. Below the chart add a paragraph summarizing the different ways that the verb might be translated and the best understanding of the word in Gen 1:28. You may want to use the following link to help with your study: http://biblehub.com/hebrew/7287.htm and http://biblehub.com/hebrew/3533.htm
3) Comparative Theological Study
Complete a study on the use of Gen 1:28 in different denominations. Summarize the interpretations by three or four different denominations/theological traditions on contraception and the development of families—especially where the theological positions rely upon Gen 1:28 for support. At a minimum, include the Catholic tradition, one Protestant tradition, and the Mormon tradition. Then provide a conclusion with your personal interpretation of Gen 1:28 and how the passage should impact a family’s decision to have children.
4) Interviews
Read Gen 1:28 to five friends (preferably from your church) and ask them what is the meaning of the passage for: 1) Adam and Eve; and 2) the modern church. Summarize their answers and outline where your friends were correct and where they might be wrong in their interpretation.
Bibliography and Recommended Reading
Blaising, Craig A., and Darrell L. Bock. Progressive Dispensationalism. Wheaton, IL: BridgePoint, 1993.
Essex, Keith H. “The Abrahamic Covenant.” MSJ 10 (1999) 191–212.
Kidner, Derek. Genesis: An Introduction and Commentary. TOTC. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1967.
Rad, Gerhard von. Genesis. Rev. ed. OTL. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1972.
Saucy, Robert L. The Case for Progressive Dispensationalism: The Interface between Dispensational & Non-Dispensational Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993.
Waltke, Bruce K. Genesis: A Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.
Wenham, Gordon J. Genesis 1–15. WBC 1. Dallas: Word, 1987.
———. Genesis 16–50. WBC 2. Dallas: Word, 1994.
33. Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations in this chapter are the author’s translation.
34. Cf. 1 Cor 7:25–31.
35. Wenham, Genesis 1–15, 33.