"Passionate Housewives," pt 17

 The Blessing of a Fruitful Womb

In June 2007, World magazine reported that when couples were asked to rank what was most important in marriage from a range of nine options, having children cam in eighth.  Sadly, “only 41 percent of Americans now view having children as ‘very important’ to a successful marriage, down from 65 percent in 1990.”  This mindset is not limited to unbelievers, as many Christian couples fail to wholeheartedly seek the blessing of the womb, at times considering children an encumbrance to other personal goals…

Though the world’s concerns are shifting sand (Matthew 7:27), God’s Word is timeless. While children today are considered an expense and a burden, God’s Word calls them a reward – a heritage. They are probably the only gift (Deuteronomy 7:13-14) that we no longer desire in abundance.  Furthermore, under the leadership of a godly man, children are considered “arrows” aimed against ungodliness:

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.  (Psalm 127:3-5)

AS mothers, we should view the opportunity we have to bear and bring up children as a high honor bestowed upon us by the Lord, not a lowly burden to endure.  We should rejoice that God has created us to bring into the world precious souls who will glorify Him, warriors who will contend with the enemies of God.  The blessing that Rebekah’s family gave her when she married Isaac ought to resonate in our hearts: “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands of ten thousands; and may your descendants possess the gates of those who hate them.”  (Genesis 24:60)

“Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments…and He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb…” (Deuteronomy 7:9,13)