How can we apply Jeremiah 29:6 in modern Christian family planning? Turning to the Text “Take wives and have sons and daughters. Take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease.” — Jeremiah 29:6 Setting the Scene • God addresses exiles in Babylon, urging them to settle, build, and grow. • Their multiplication was essential to preserve covenant identity and witness. • The command reflects Genesis 1:28—“Be fruitful and multiply…”—showing continuity in God’s design for family. Timeless Principles for Marriage and Children • Marriage is good and God-ordained (Genesis 2:18, 24). • Children are a blessing, not a burden (Psalm 127:3-5). • Growth of godly families advances God’s purposes in every culture and era. Modern Applications for Christian Family Planning • Affirm openness to life ‑ View children as gifts; plan with willingness to receive God’s blessings. ‑ Avoid attitudes or methods rooted in fear, selfishness, or convenience alone. • Plan responsibly ‑ Count the cost (Luke 14:28); consider health, finances, and spiritual readiness. ‑ Husband and wife seek unity through prayer and Scripture (Amos 3:3). • Prioritize covenant parenting ‑ Raise sons and daughters to know the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). ‑ Equip them for future marriage and fruitfulness, continuing the godly line (Malachi 2:15). • Resist cultural pressures to “decrease” ‑ Cherish large or small families led by conviction, not by secular norms. ‑ Celebrate life amid a culture of abortion and declining birthrates (Proverbs 24:11). • Invest where God plants you ‑ Like exiles in Babylon, build homes, work faithfully, and let families shine as witnesses (Matthew 5:14-16). Balanced Biblical Counsel • Marriage is honorable, yet singleness can also glorify God (1 Corinthians 7:7). • Child spacing and medical considerations may warrant temporary planning (Proverbs 15:22). • Whatever the decision, honor conscience and avoid judging fellow believers (Romans 14:4-5). Key Takeaways • Jeremiah 29:6 calls believers to value marriage, welcome children, and perpetuate a godly heritage. • Family planning should flow from faith, not fear—seeking multiplication of both people and Kingdom influence. • Couples honor the Lord when they align desires, resources, and timing with the clear biblical vision: “Multiply there; do not decrease.” |
    |