|
|
A Biblical Theology of Growth
Genesis…Exodus…Leviticus…???
God cares about numbers.
- Many staunch critics of the mega-church movement cite the irrelevance
of numbers in God's economy. "God cares more about depth than breadth",
they like to say. There is certainly a measure of truth to this concern -
even millions without maturity misses the mark.
- Yet God does seem to be interested in numbers - even big numbers. After all, the first command He gives to humanity is to Be fruitful
and multiply [not just add!], and fill the earth (Gen 1:28). And one of the last visions of heaven we have is of a great multitude
which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and
tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb singing praises
to God (Rev 7:9). Situated between the two is a whole book with the very
title "Numbers"!
God commands multiplication of people and wildlife.
- God blessed [every living creature], saying, "be fruitful
and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the
earth" (Gen 1:22).
- Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be
fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth" (Gen 9:1)
- Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters,
and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands that they
may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease" (Jer 29:6).
|
 |
|
