‘No, the world must be peopled.’ Benedick. Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’
Benedick was correct in echoing what God mandated right from the beginning, that we mortals are to ‘be fruitful and multiply’.
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Genesis 1:28
In recent decades though, the human race has not been multiplying fast enough. Birth rates have fallen significantly slowing down population growth in most regions.
The Economic Impact of declining birth rates
For any economy, as birth rates fall the number of workers declines as well. Labour shortages slow the growth of important industries, which disrupts a nation’s economic competitiveness with the rest of the world.
Another issue with lower birth rates is that there are fewer people to buy the goods produced in homegrown markets. A weak domestic market leaves a country vulnerable when the global economy plummets, as the demand for goods including its exports also falls.
In addition, with rising life expectancies coupled with lower birth rates, there are less workers available to support the older ageing population.
Australia used money as a motivator by offering cash incentives for women to have children.
The Baby Bonus was implemented in 2001, after Australia’s population hit its lowest birth rate ever recorded—1.7 children per woman. The Baby Bonus included tax cuts, lump sum payments and cash given out in instalments to stimulate birth rates.
Nice one, Australia. Fresh from the womb, a newborn not only received a slap on the backside, but also a healthy fist pump with a cool $5000!
Hungary used loans and mortgage assistance to address falling birth rates.
Women under 40 were eligible for a loan as soon as they married. Once they produced three children, they were no longer obligated to pay the loan back.
Some mortgage relief was available for young families after the births of a second and third child.
Three seemed to be the magic number. Cash subsidies were granted to families with at least three children, to help buy seven-seater vehicles.
Russia used refrigerators as highly sought after prizes to spark a baby boom. Hat’s off to the Russians for their unconventional problem solving skills. In 2007, the government declared September 12 as a public holiday for people to engage in physical intimacy (or the ‘no pants dance’).
Known as the National Day of Conception, this day off was meant to result in a baby boom 9 months down the track. On June 12, women who gave birth on that day were placed in the draw to win a fridge, a car or cash.
In the Bible, some women used their handmaids to address the problem.
Take for instance, Abraham’s stunning wife, Sarah— who was beautiful, yet barren. Year after year, decade after decade she tried to conceive.
But, God promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars that filled the night sky.
In her old age, Sarah grew impatient with waiting, and decided to drive a speedier fulfillment of God’s promise. She forced Hagar—her young Egyptian house servant—into the arms of Abraham.
This resulted in a web of complicated family relations recorded in Genesis 16.
In Israel, most marriages honoured God’s plan—one husband with one wife. However, prominent biblical figures including Abraham, Jacob, King David and King Solomon, took on multiple wives.
The main reason for polygamy (having more than one husband or wife at the same time) was usually in the instance where the first wife could not produce children.
Bearing children was a sign of God’s greatest blessing on a union.
Conversely, it was a long established belief that the inability to produce sons and daughters was a sign of God’s disfavour and punishment.
A barren woman could be discarded through divorce, shunned by the community or given a lower status.
Other reasons for polygamy :
- To restore the balance of the number of males to females.
- Increase the labour force by producing large numbers of children. Offspring would grow to work in the fields or look after the herds.
- Increase the prestige and wealth of a household.
- To strengthen and secure peace treaties between neighbouring countries by securing multiple marriage contracts as practiced by King David and King Solomon.
- The high death rate for women in childbirth.
Sometimes in our efforts to address the need for ‘the world to be peopled’, we waver from God’s plan with disastrous results.
We may often think doing things, our way is better than sticking to God’s way. However, marriage is exclusive. It is between husband and wife, and between one man and one woman.
And he(Jesus) answered and said unto them, have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female.
And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Matthew 19:4-6
Let’s bear in mind that God established laws for our benefit out of his great love for us. These are designed to bless our lives if we operate within His boundaries.
We don’t always follow Him or trust His wisdom as we should. Sometimes we shy away from His will, or openly rebel against Him.
Rest assured, He is there to embrace us with open arms, like the prodigals we are, when we return to Him.
And despite whatever messes we’ve made, our merciful Heavenly Father will see us through.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalm 37:23, 28.
Please join me next week for Part 2 of Polygamy, Handmaids and Baby Bonuses.
Bibliography
Author not specified, 2013. ‘The Baby Bonus Generation’, McCrindle. Retrieved 10 July 2021 from
Author not specified, 2019. ‘The Economic Impact of Falling Birth Rates’, International Strategic Analysis. Retrieved 10 July from
Axworthy, J. 2020. ‘5 Global initiatives to tackle falling Birth Rates’, Raconteur. Retrieved 10 July from
Mcrobbie, L. 2016. ‘6 Creative ways Countries have tried to up their Birth Rates’, MentalFloss. Retrieved 10 July 2021 from
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/33485/6-creative-ways-countries-have-tried-their-birth-rates
Shakespeare, W. 2021, ‘Much Ado about Nothing—a monologue from the play by William Shakespeare’, Monologue Archive. Retrieved 10 July from
http://www.monologuearchive.com/s/shakespeare_034.html
Walton, J. 2000, The IVP Bible Background Commentary Old Testament, IVP Academic, Illinois.
