Yes, they were. God created man and woman in His own image and gave them the command to have children: “And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth'” (Genesis 1:28). Having children is part of God’s good creation. It was His intention from the beginning that the earth be filled with living beings. Both animals (Genesis 1:21-22) and people. Psalm 127 says: “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Psalm 127:3).
First parents on the earth
Adam and Eve however did not have children until after the Fall. Because of their disobedience to God, having children was now a painful experience (Genesis 3:16). And Adam and Eve went through a lot of grief once their sons were grown up. Cain, the eldest, murdered his younger brother Abel (Genesis 14:8), and he was sent away by God after that (Genesis 4:12). The first parents on the earth lost two sons in one day!
Although having children was in many ways painful for Adam and Eve, it had also taken on a new meaning since the great promise God gave in Genesis 3:15. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel”. This means that a descendant of Adam and Eve would be born who would crush the power of Satan.
God promised offspring
Even after losing two sons, God still made this promise come true in their lives: “And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, ‘God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him'” (Genesis 4:25).
Praise God that He made his promise to Adam and Eve come true and that after many generations Jesus was born (in very difficult circumstances!) to reconcile us to our Creator. At the very beginning, God commanded humankind to fill the earth. This has now happened. Later, He promised that the Messiah would be born. This has also come true. Today, God still blesses couples with children, the greatest gift they can receive from Him (after salvation itself).
Difficult but joyful
Although all parents know that raising children is one of the most difficult jobs on earth, there is also a lot of joy, fulfillment and life that only children can bring. And couples who know God, have the wonderful opportunity to raise a new generation in the ways of the Lord!