PARAH - FRUITFUL

Petra Hadžidaova
4 minutes ago
3 min read

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Genesis 1: 28 (NIV)

(1)

INTRODUCTION

It all began when Elohim created man. “Be fruitful and increase…”, He said. He told humans to take dominion and fill the earth, and increase. Disrupted those plans were, yet Yahweh had a way. Through Yeshua, the authority and identity that was lost with the fall of Adam was restored once more. We were told to bear much fruit again, this time of a spiritual kind through good deeds. The Hebrew word for fruitful is parah.

FRUITFUL AT LAST

Near the still water of a nearby lake grew a multitude of trees. There were willows, elders, persimmons, and mulberries. It was that time of the year, late April, as we speak. Each of the trees was sporting beautiful flowers. It was a breathtaking sight, until the eyes landed on the lone pear tree. There it stood in its small stature, looking quite sad. Unlike the other trees, it had no flowers to boast about. It had already been 10 years since it burst from the earth, and still no flowers to show. Will they ever grow?

Time went by, and May was here. Yet the flowers did not appear. The branches sagged more and more with added time. Another year with no fruit, or so it seemed; the zeal for life was leaving the pear; it was no good. But then finally the first bud bloomed nearing the end of May. Soon after, others followed in suit. Will there after all be fruit?

Though it was not a guarantee that flowers would also mean that fruit would be. Still, the pear looked vibrant once more, and truly glowed when it, to the amazement of all, actually produced fruit in fall. Fruitful - parah- at last, the pear stood tall.

THE HEBREW WORD PARAH

The Hebrew word for fruitful is parah. It is a primitive root and means “to bear fruit”, “to be fruitful”, and “increase”. From it comes the word peri, meaning fruit. (2)

Fruitfulness in the Bible describes the fertility of the land and the multiplication of offspring, and metaphorically, the spiritual growth and productivity of individuals and communities. (3)

In the Old Testament, the concept of fruitfulness is frequently associated with God's covenant promises and represents God’s provision and blessings. In the New Testament, on the other hand, it takes on a more spiritual dimension. (3)

BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY

From the dust of the Earth, Elohim created a brand new creation - man. He was created in His image and given the assignment to be fruitful, multiply, and take dominion over Earth.

Truly, throughout mankind's existence, Elohim, Creator of all, gave the command to be fruitful multiple times. The fall of Adam and the rebellion of the fallen angels disrupted that plan, yet Yahweh prepared a way. The world was supposed to be filled, populated, and cultivated. Stewardship over Earth was the primary assignment of every man. It wasn’t just to procreate but also to create with our Heavenly Father new things, designs, products, and so forth. (4)

The loss of authority caused much death and destruction, but some righteous people continued to light the way even through darkness. Then finally, Yeshua restored mankind’s authority and identity.

ABIDE IN ME AND BEAR MUCH FRUIT

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15: 5 (NIV)

All Yeshua’s disciples were told to bear much fruit. What fruit? Fruit of the Spirit. Here the command was of a spiritual nature. It spoke of good deeds and unsurpassable peace. It was less about physical descendants or material possessions than the command to be fruitful was before. It was time for the restoration of the soul. And with it came freedom to all. But we can only be fruitful if we abide in the Word of God, Yeshua.

CONCLUSION

Humans were told to be fruitful multiple times. Fruitfulness in the Bible describes the fertility of the land and the multiplication of offspring, and metaphorically, the spiritual growth and productivity of individuals and communities. The Hebrew word for fruitful is parah.

Application

Dear Abba, reveal to me throughout the week the fruit I have already borne. I also ask You to align me with Your will, so that I would bear even more fruit. Amen.

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