Stupid Scholar

Image Credit: Mike Baird

I don’t have any children of my own. However, I have many friends whose children I consider an extension of my own family. I love watching the little rugrats explore, play, smile, sing, and especially laugh. Whether they’re hyper Americans or crazy, rosy-cheeked Scots, they are truly delights and joys.

Scripture speaks repeatedly of the blessing of children. The Psalms, the histories, and even the Gospels are replete with references to the sheer joy of raising children and furthering the family. In fact, the Holy Bible never suggests that children are a hindrance, burden, nuisance, or even an option. Perhaps this is no more explicit than in Psalm 127:3-5.

3 Even now, children are an inheritance from the Lord.
A reward is the fruit of the womb.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, are children of youth.
5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
He will not be ashamed when his enemies speak at the gate.
(My translation)

There are several metaphors here that highlight the wonderment of children. Children are called an inheritance, a reward, and even arrows. The words are ripe with meaning, and were very significant to the original Israelite audience.

Image Credit: Jinx (Kat)

Some of the greatest things in the Old Testament are referred to as an inheritance. For example, each tribe’s portion of the Promise Land was called an inheritance (Numbers 18:23-24; 34:5; Deuteronomy 4:38; 15:4), and Israel itself is called the Lord’s inheritance (Deuteronomy 4:20). There is deep sense of blessing, intimacy, and dependence upon God implied by the term inheritance. Inheritances are precious, undeserved, and wonderful, and so are little children.

Likewise, rewards were highly treasured. The lineage and blessings promised to Abraham were called rewards (Genesis 15:1); a reward is given to those who sow righteousness (Proverbs 11:18); and a reward acts as the wages given for hard work (Genesis 30:28, 32; Exodus 2:9; Deuteronomy 24:15). Rewards were tied to the undeserved promises of God, as well as to prudence and diligence.

Finally, arrows formed an important tool among the arsenal of a warrior. Arrows were terrifying weapons, as they could destroy an enemy from a distance. If a warrior was well equipped with arrows, he would probably not be touched in battle. A full quiver meant strength, victory, and even life.

And such are children. Children – little boys and girls, young men and women, grown sons and daughters – are God-given blessings. They are undeserved, and yet they are the fruit of marital labor. They remind us that we are children of God, the fruit of His labor throughout history. Children are precious, valuable, beautiful, and necessary. They exemplify the joy and newness of life, and remind us that there is the hope of victory for the future. Indeed, they are new creations, made in the image of our Lord.

There is a vast chasm separating families that love and cherish their children and those that are bothered or inconvenienced by them. It is true that children are loud, expensive and require a great deal of patience, responsibility, and all-too-often lacking energy. Yet, they are still our reward, inheritance, and quiver of hope. Families that realize this exemplify an unparalleled sense of compassion, understanding, and encouragement not only among their own children, but often to other people, as well.

Image Credit: {Karen}

Likewise, churches and communities that cherish children as much as this Psalm does are typically happy, welcoming, patient, and encouraging places. They are not bothered by immaturity but strive to help the young grow strong and wise. They appreciate laughter and smiles, and they realize that God does too. They cultivate love, and they fan the flames of joy.

How truly a great and wonderful gift children are! How comforting and encouraging it is to see Scripture proclaim this so clearly. I cannot wait until my quiver is full, but I am very thankful that I can reap a harvest of joy from the children around me. I am very glad that the churches I have attended are appreciative of the blessing of children. It is a lot of fun to stand in the midst of a swarm happy, rosy-cheeked rugrats.