Psa 127:3-5 | KingComments | STEP | Following on from what has already been said about the family, is about the value and significance of the blessing of children. Children are not only a gift from the LORD, but also ‘the property of the LORD’. The Hebrew word for “gift” is translated elsewhere as heritage. It is worth remembering that the Israelites’ inheritance remains the property of the LORD ( ). The Israelites are tenants or stewards of the LORD. So it is with the children the LORD has entrusted to us. We may ‘temporarily manage’ them, but they remain the property of the LORD. In His time, we will have to let them go. Through the children the LORD bestows, He will establish the realm of peace ( ). They are also “the fruit of the womb” and seen as “a reward”. Reward here is not attached to an achievement, but to a position. It is a reward by grace, it is a gift, just as the position is also a gift. The fruit of the womb was given by Him and remains His as His property. Through Him, fruit is found among His people that is to His glory ( ; cf. ). Let us be aware that in the covenant between the LORD and His people Israel, having children is one of the first blessings ( ). Therefore, in the Old Testament, childlessness is perceived as a shame, as a sign that the blessing of the covenant does not apply to the childless woman ( ; ; cf. ). In the New Testament, the members of God’s people are a heavenly people with heavenly blessings ( ). The earthly blessings they may receive are not something to be taken for granted; they can be seen as breadcrumbs falling from the table to the ground ( ). If there are believers who remain alone or couples who cannot have children, it is different than in the Old Testament. What does remain the same in the New Testament is the fact that children are a reward, or a blessing, from the LORD. Do we experience this in the same way? Children that God has given are “like arrows in the hand of a warrior” ( ). Through these sons the LORD – He is the Warrior – will destroy the power of the wicked ( ). The Son of God is also compared to an arrow that is in the hand of the Almighty ( ). Here we find the promise that the sons of these chosen Israelites will be used by the LORD as instruments in the realm of peace (cf. ). “So are the children”, who are raised up to serve the LORD in the strength inherent in “youth”, like arrows. This is an important clue to the raising of children if God has given them in His grace as the fruit of the womb ( ). We may raise them for Him ( ), so that they will be servants in His kingdom. The man who received this blessing from the LORD and “whose quiver is full of them” is a happy man ( ). His children will not be ashamed when they speak with “the enemies” in favor of their father who is seated in the gate. The gate is the place of exercising power ( ; ). There the sons will act in favor of their father when he is dealing with enemies who are suing him.

‏ Psalms 127:3-5

Children Are a Gift of the LORD

Following on from what has already been said about the family, Psa 127:3 is about the value and significance of the blessing of children. Children are not only a gift from the LORD, but also ‘the property of the LORD’. The Hebrew word for “gift” is translated elsewhere as heritage. It is worth remembering that the Israelites’ inheritance remains the property of the LORD (Lev 25:23). The Israelites are tenants or stewards of the LORD. So it is with the children the LORD has entrusted to us. We may ‘temporarily manage’ them, but they remain the property of the LORD. In His time, we will have to let them go.

Through the children the LORD bestows, He will establish the realm of peace (Psa 110:3). They are also “the fruit of the womb” and seen as “a reward”. Reward here is not attached to an achievement, but to a position. It is a reward by grace, it is a gift, just as the position is also a gift. The fruit of the womb was given by Him and remains His as His property. Through Him, fruit is found among His people that is to His glory (Hos 14:8d; cf. Jn 15:2-5 ; 16).

Let us be aware that in the covenant between the LORD and His people Israel, having children is one of the first blessings (Deu 28:4). Therefore, in the Old Testament, childlessness is perceived as a shame, as a sign that the blessing of the covenant does not apply to the childless woman (Gen 30:1; 1Sam 1:1-18; cf. Lk 1:24-25).

In the New Testament, the members of God’s people are a heavenly people with heavenly blessings (Eph 1:3). The earthly blessings they may receive are not something to be taken for granted; they can be seen as breadcrumbs falling from the table to the ground (Mt 15:27). If there are believers who remain alone or couples who cannot have children, it is different than in the Old Testament. What does remain the same in the New Testament is the fact that children are a reward, or a blessing, from the LORD. Do we experience this in the same way?

Children that God has given are “like arrows in the hand of a warrior” (Psa 127:4). Through these sons the LORD – He is the Warrior – will destroy the power of the wicked (Zec 9:13). The Son of God is also compared to an arrow that is in the hand of the Almighty (Isa 49:1-2). Here we find the promise that the sons of these chosen Israelites will be used by the LORD as instruments in the realm of peace (cf. Isa 59:21).

“So are the children”, who are raised up to serve the LORD in the strength inherent in “youth”, like arrows. This is an important clue to the raising of children if God has given them in His grace as the fruit of the womb (Gen 30:20 ; Gen 33:5). We may raise them for Him (Eph 6:4), so that they will be servants in His kingdom.

The man who received this blessing from the LORD and “whose quiver is full of them” is a happy man (Psa 127:5). His children will not be ashamed when they speak with “the enemies” in favor of their father who is seated in the gate. The gate is the place of exercising power (Deu 17:5 ; Deu 21:19 ; Deu 22:15 ; 24; Amos 5:12). There the sons will act in favor of their father when he is dealing with enemies who are suing him.