PODCAST TRANSCRIPT | EPISODE 349: THE THEOLOGY OF CONCEPTION, Part 1
LIFE TO THE FULL w/ Nancy Campbell
EPISODE 349: THE THEOLOGY OF CONCEPTION, Part 1
Theology is what God states in His Word about a certain subject. What does God have to say about conception? He is certainly not silent on this subject.
Announcer: Welcome to the podcast, Life to The Full, with Nancy Campbell, founder and publisher of Above Rubies.
Nancy Campbell: Hello, ladies! We are continuing our series that we began a little while ago on THE THOLOGY OF MOTHERHOOD. I have been taking it from the passage in Jeremiah 29, where God came to Jeremiah and gave him a word from the Lord, actually a word from the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of heaven, to the people in Babylon. They had been taken from their beloved land of Israel. They were now captives in Babylon.
But God comes to him and says, “These are the things I want you to keep doing in Babylon, even though you are captives.” These things that God told them were so very practical. We’ve been talking about them—building and dwelling, planting and eating.
No. 5: INCREASE
Now, we are up to point number five, where God tells them, “I want you to keep increasing, even while you are in Babylon.” God did not negate the very first commandment He gave His people, at the very beginning of time to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth. Now they are in Babylon. They’re captives. He says, “I don’t want you to stop. I want you to keep being fruitful. I want you to keep increasing, and don’t be diminished.”
Let’s read, shall we? Jeremiah 29:6: “Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons. Give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters, that ye may be increased, and not diminished.” Well, that was pretty plain and straightforward, wasn’t it? And very proactive.
Do you notice, it’s talking to young couples and it’s also talking to grandparents. Hopefully, they’ll become grandparents, because when their children are older, God says to them, “Now, I want you to actually take daughters for your sons, and give daughters to husbands, so that they can bear children.”
He doesn’t say, “Well, just don’t worry about that. Make sure they go to college, get a great degree, and become successful.” No, what God commanded was to make sure these young couples got married, and that they didn’t hang around waiting to have children, but they brought forth children, so that the people of God would be increased, and not diminished. That is God’s heart, that His people be increased. He does not want His people on the earth to be diminished.
Sadly, that has been happening across the world. In the last number of decades, more and more couples, even Christian couples, have been limiting their families, often to one or two children. Just having the least they can have. So, God’s people have been diminishing instead of increasing.
But what is the Word of the Lord, the Word of the Lord of Hosts? To increase. Today I would like to talk to you ladies about THE THEOLOGY OF CONCEPTION. Now, when we began talking about theology, I shared with you that that word comes from two Greek words, theos, the Greek word for God, and -ology, which comes from logos. Logos means “the word.” So, “theology” is the study of the Word of God on a certain subject. What does God say about this?
Therefore, what does God say about conception? We live in a world of great dissention about conception and when life begins. Sadly, there are some Christians who are even confused. But those who love the Word, those who look into God’s Word, will know the truth. It’s so important for us to know the truth, and so important for our children to know the truth. Not just sort of have a hazy idea, but to KNOW THE TRUTH. We’re going to go into the Word, as usual, and check out some Hebrew words, and really find out what God says.
THE SPARK OF LIFE
But before we even get into the Word, I wonder if some of you have read, in articles, or even on the internet, of how in recent times, biologists and scientists have discovered what they call “the spark of life” that happens at conception, that happens when the sperm meets the egg. It’s something to do with the zinc which releases these sparks of life.
In fact, I was reading one article where it says that in the first two hours after conception, there can be one, or even up to five releases of these sparks when this happens, which is so exciting, because it reveals that this is not just some “nothingness.” This is not just some “blob.” THIS IS LIFE! At the very beginning, it’s releasing these sparks of light to begin this growing into this person whom God has destined. It’s so exciting. And you can even see pictures. Go onto the internet, and you will see pictures of this spark of life. It’s amazing.
HARA
But we’re going to go into the Word because that is our real foundation. The first Hebrew word we have is hara, and it means “to conceive, to become pregnant, to be with child.”
Genesis 4:1: “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.” We read these Scriptures, and we see the words “conceived,” and “bearing a child,” go together. In fact, the word hara means the same. It means “to conceive.” It also means “with child, a growing child in the womb.”
So many times in the Bible, when it’s describing a woman who is pregnant, it says that she is “with child.” I love that, because that is exactly the truth. She is “with child.” It is a human being growing in her womb. It is a little child. It's already a child in the womb.
I think, if we would only use Bible language, the truth would become more popular. I think that’s a good thing to tell your children when you're talking about someone who is pregnant or recently became pregnant. Instead of just using those words, why not say, “Children, have you heard about Mrs. So-and-so? She is with child now. She has a baby growing in her womb.”
We go to Genesis 21:2, where “Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age.”
Exodus 2:12: “And the woman” (that is Jochebed) “conceived, and bare a son.”
Job 3:3 is interesting. And he says: “Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived.”
The words “man child” in the Hebrew is geber. It means, “a warrior, a mighty man.” And do you notice what this Scripture says? “A man child is conceived.” The word “warrior” is used, so the Scriptures are using the word “warrior” along with conception, right from the beginning. Of course, God knew it was already a male child, but not only a male child, but a warrior!
This was in the womb. This was at conception. Yes, “There is a man child conceived.” As we read the Scriptures, we get to understand. Now, I’ve got loads more Scriptures. I’ll put them in the transcript for you so you can see them there for those who want to do further study.
HARE
But there’s another word, hare, very similar. Hara is H-A-R-A. This word is H-A-R-E. It also means the same, “to conceive, to be with child.” And yet, there are two different Hebrew words used. Let me give you some of these Scriptures.
When the angel of the Lord came to Hagar, he said: “Behold,” (and this is an angel speaking. We learn from the angels the correct words we are meant to use). The angel of the Lord said: “Behold, thou art with child.”
The angel didn’t say, “Oh Hagar, you're pregnant!” No, he said, “Behold, thou art with child.” At this time, I don’t know . . . I think she knew at that time. Anyway, “Behold thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shall call his name Ishmael.” So, God sees this little baby in the womb. He sees this baby at conception. He sees this baby growing in the womb, and He already knows this is Ishmael. “And all the plans I have for Ismael,” already in the womb.
Now let’s read about Tamar. Do you remember the story of Tamar, and how her husband died, because he didn’t obey the Lord, and he didn’t want to raise up seed to Tamar’s first husband (his brother) who had passed away? The Bible says that every time he went into Tamar, he spilled the seed on the ground. God was very angry with him for doing that, and he also died.
Now Tamar is left with no husband. She’s longing for a baby. There’s another brother, but Judah is not giving him to her. She’s just left hanging. So, not such a good story, but she goes and pretends to be a harlot, Judah comes into her, and she conceives.
Now we read the story. Genesis 38:24-25: “And it came to pass about three months after” (three months after Judah and Tamar came together. She obviously conceived at that time. Now the baby is three months old). “It was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter-in-law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom.”
When Judah heard that, he said: “Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.” When she was brought forth, she sent to her father-in-law, saying: “By the man, whose these are” (and she had some of his possessions) “am I with child.” They are talking. Everyone is talking about this baby, and they’re saying, “She’s with child. There’s a baby growing in her womb!”
When she talked to Judah, she said: “I am with child.” She was with more than a child. She actually had twins growing in her womb. She didn’t know that at the time, of course, but these twins eventually came forth, Perez and Zarah. It’s interesting. Both the names of these twins are listed in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:3). Actually, Perez was in the genealogy of Jesus, and it was through him . . . he was in the genealogy through which Jesus came into the world. And yet, God lists both the twins’ names in the genealogy. That’s quite amazing.
But think about it. These three-month-old babies are in the womb. Wow! There are so many babies who are aborted at three months of age. In fact, in many states, they can be aborted right up to birth, which is nothing less than cold-blooded murder, for the baby in the womb is a child. The baby is a person from the moment of conception. Where did my life begin? At conception. Where did your life begin? At conception.
Here’s another thought-provoking point. Exodus 21:22: “If men strive and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, he shall be surely punished.” The word “with child” is hare, meaning “to conceive, or to be with child.”
What is the word for “fruit”? The word for “fruit” is the word yeled, which is speaking about “a newborn baby, or a young boy, or even a young man.”
Here, in this one Scripture, it is saying that this woman, who is “with child,” “if her fruit depart from her” (or if this baby, or even young man, because yeled is also a word that’s used for a young man). OK, the baby in the womb looks different from the baby that’s born. The baby that’s born is going to look different from this young boy, or this young man as he grows. But it is all the same person. Amen? Yes, I hope you are saying “amen.”
In Judges 13:5,7, we read about Manoah’s wife. Manoah and his wife were the parents of Samson. It says, talking to Manoah’s wife . . . once again, it’s an angel of the Lord that came and spoke to her: “For lo, thou shalt conceive and bear a son.”
Notice how they just go together. They’re twins. “Conceive and bear a son.” And the angel of the Lord says who it is. It’s not a daughter, it’s a son. “Thou shalt conceive and bear a son.” God knew who this person was. God planned Samson’s destiny. He planned for him to come into the world.
Let’s read on. “And no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God” from the moment he is born. No, it doesn’t say that. “From the WOMB.” God chose him, and anointed him, and planned his destiny to be a Nazarite from the womb. From conception. Right from the very moment of the spark of life. Dear ladies, are you listening?
We read in 1 Samuel 11:5. This is the story of David and Bathsheba. “And the woman conceived (hara) and she told David, and said, “I am with child” (Hare). Both words are used in that one Scripture, very similar Hebrew words. Both are used, and both mean “to conceive,” and both mean “with child.”
So, once again, the moment that Bathsheba knew that she was pregnant, she sent the news to David. And how did she send it? “David, I am with child. There is a new life growing in my womb.” And once again, I will put in the transcript all the other references to that Hebrew word as well.
Now, let’s go over to the New Testament, shall we? Go to Matthew 1:18, 23. This is talking about Jesus. Firstly, she was found “with child of the Holy Ghost,” so we see the language of “with child” is in the Old Testament and “with child” is in the New Testament.
Verse 23: “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
BREPHOS
And there another Greek word, brephos. Let’s read Luke 1: 41, 43: “And it came to pass” (Mary is already with child, and goes to visit her cousin Elisabeth, who is also with child). “And it came to pass that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe” (that’s the Greek word brephos, which means “an unborn child, an embryo, or even a newborn child, an infant, a babe.” So, it can refer to a baby in the womb, a baby who’s just born, or even a little toddler.)
So, “when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.” And Elisabeth said in verse 44: “For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” That’s not a blob of tissue. That is a real person. That is a person who was able to understand that as Mary came, the baby in her womb was the Savior of the world. This babe in the womb was able to recognize this, and “he leapt for joy.”
Then we go to Luke 2:12: “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe” (once again, brephos). So, the same word was used for the baby in the womb, leaping in the womb, and now it’s used for the baby who was born. “Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And they came with haste, and found . . . the babe (brephos) lying in a manger.” The same word for the baby in the womb, and the same word for the baby that’s just born, and the same word for children who are a little older.
We read in 2 Timothy 3:15, where Paul is writing to Timothy and says: “And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures.” That word “child” is exactly the same word, brephos, that was used to describe Jesus in the womb, and when Jesus was a newborn babe.
Now it’s talking about Timothy. “When you were a child, Timothy,” well maybe his mother read the Word to him while he was in the womb, even while he was a little baby. But I’m sure it’s talking about a little child here. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
So, there we go, but we haven’t finished yet. Oh yes, before I move back to the Old Testament, a couple more Hebrew words. One time I put out a message on Facebook. I had been writing a post about the womb. I said to the ladies, “Tell me, what do you like to call yourself when you're pregnant, or when a baby is growing in your womb?” I got lots of lovely different answers. I put them all in my book, The Power of Motherhood. I won’t read them all to you.
Here are just a few of them. Some of the ladies said,
“We call it our baby’s first home.”
Baby sanctuary.
Birthplace of destiny.
Blessing room.
Cradle of the unborn.
God’s blessing place.
God’s secluded place.
Hidden glory.
Holy place.
Home of compassion.
Home of protection.
Home of shelter.
House of blessing.
House of life.
Knitting place. Remember Psalm 139? It tells us that we are knit together in our mother’s womb.
Miracle haven.
Nesting place.
Palace of a child. That’s the Chinese meaning of the word “womb.”
Safe haven of love.
Set-apart sanctuary.
Secret place.
Sacred place.
The “secret place” is one of my favorite names, because in Psalm 139, it talks about “the secret place.” God says that is where I am wonderfully and marvelously creating the baby in the womb.
I believe God wants it to be a secret place. Today the baby really doesn’t always grow in secret. It seems that mothers have so many ultrasounds, often every month to see how the baby is growing, and what is happening. OK, that’s what they do today, but I don’t know whether it really lines up with God’s ultimate plan because He wants to do it in secret.
He also wants it to be a surprise when the baby comes. Did you know that God loves to give us surprises? I think that’s something He has put in us as parents, because He is the ultimate parent. I know, as my children were growing up, I loved giving them surprises. Oh, I love the element of surprise, because children love it.
In fact, often in the day when I had lots of little ones around me, four under four at one time and they were kind of bouncing off the walls. Well, I would either say, “Come on children, let’s sit down and read together.” We’d sit down for a little while and read because that always calms the children down. I’m usually nursing a baby, so I’m nursing one baby, and the others are around me.
Other times I would say, “OK, children, Mommy’s going to make you a surprise, and I want you to hide behind the sofa. Nobody’s allowed to look!” And then I would get a plate for each child, and put some food on it, and make it interesting. I’d put some raisins, or little bits of cheese, or some special things I had, but all healthy stuff. And I’d arrange it into a smiley face, or some kind of shape so it was interesting. Then I’d say, “OK! Come and get your surprise!” It was only simple, but they were so excited! They just loved it, because it was a surprise.
I can remember Christmastime. Oh, my! I always loved to make everything a surprise for the children. If they found out before Christmastime what they were going to get, well, I didn’t really even feel like giving it to them, because I just love to see the wonder of the surprise on their faces. I think God loves to surprise us, too. The Bible does say that He creates the baby in the secret place.
ZERA AND ZARA
Now, two more Hebrew words, zera and zara. Zera is a noun and zara is the verb. This word zera is usually translated in the King James Bible as “seed.” It’s actually used even of planting seeds in the garden. It’s used as seeds to plant for our food. It’s used as the seed that grows into all the different kinds of animals. And it’s used for offspring. It’s interesting that the same word is used because they’re all seeds of creation.
We are in the time here in Tennessee when those who are really very intensive gardeners will already be preparing their seeds inside ready to plant in the spring. When we plant a seed, we know what we’re going to get. When it comes forth out of the ground, it’s so different from the seed that we planted but this seed that we planted, whether it was some kind of vegetable, or a fruit, it wouldn’t be what it is if it wasn’t from that seed! It’s the seed that contains the life.
I’m thinking now, as we’re preparing the seeds for our gardens, and my daughter Evangeline will be working with me on our garden this year. She’s an amazing gardener. I would say, “Vange, I want loads and loads of pumpkins!” I just love pumpkins. I know that Americans, a lot of Americans, are not really pumpkin fans.
In fact, I don’t love pumpkin pie. Do you know that we really hadn’t tasted pumpkin pie until we came to the States? I think you all know we originally come from New Zealand. Down in New Zealand, we use our pumpkins for a vegetable, not for a dessert. So, I have to tell you the truth. I’m still not a great fan of pumpkin pie. Sorry about that!
But anyway, I do love cooking pumpkin. In fact, I cooked up yesterday a beautiful, big pumpkin! Oh, it was so delightful. Someone gave it to me, and I made pumpkin soup with it which was so wonderful.
I said to Vange, “I want lots of buttercups.” Oh, yes, you can grow some butternuts too, I like them, but my favorite are buttercups. There are so many different varieties of pumpkins and they all have their different shapes and flavors and taste. They’re all so different from one another. Because we’re pumpkin people down in New Zealand, a normal New Zealand meal is roast lamb with roast potatoes and pumpkin, and kumera (which is our sweet potato down there). We use lots of pumpkins.
But you can’t have the pumpkin that you use for making a pie which is a lot waterier. You’ve got to get these; how would I explain it? They’re fleshlier and harder. So, I’m talking about these butternuts and buttercups. Even they’re different. The buttercup is a little, well, it can be big too, if you've got good soil in your garden. It grows round with dark green skin. Oh, the flavor is so delectable!
The butternuts have more of a yellow skin. It’s a little bit harder skin. I have to peel them if I’m using them, although what I often do is just put them in the oven with the skin on. Then I’ll take the flesh out later when I cook. It’s much easier.
But what I’m trying to say is, the seed that we plant in the garden is the vegetable that we’re going to get, even if it’s going to look different when it comes forth. It’s different than a seed when it comes forth as a little plant out of the soil. It looks different, but one day I’m going to get a whole lot of amazing pumpkins off this little seed that I planted.
Oh goodness me, time is going! But we’re going to go on to talk about how this word “seed,” although it can be a seed planted in the garden, it’s also used for the seed that is planted in the woman to bring forth children. It’s translated as “offspring, descendants, posterity, children.”
Also, we read in Leviticus about the “seed of copulation.” That is the semen, or the sperm. It’s the seed that comes from the intimacy in the marriage relationship. That’s what it’s called, the “seed of copulation.” It’s the sperm. This word zera is used for sperm, but I think we’ll have to wait until next time now to tell you what else it is used for. We’re going to look at these Scriptures, because they are amazing. It gets more amazing all the time.
“Father, I pray that You will bless the families of all those who are listening today. Pour out Your blessing upon them, Lord God. I pray that You will strengthen their family life. I pray for the strengthening of families in this nation. Lord God, we know that this nation is only as strong as its families, so I pray that, Lord, You will strengthen every family unit who is listening here today. I ask it in the Name of Jesus. Amen.”
Blessings from Nancy Campbell
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Transcribed by Darlene Norris
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