Genesis 1:26-31 (NASB):
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; 30 and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food”; and it was so. 31 God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
We have looked at how God has created the universe out of nothing and by the power of His Word and Spirit. Today, we want to look at how God created us in His image.
Considering God's vast creation, the psalmist was awed that God should be mindful of human beings (Psalm 8). Yet God fashioned the man and woman as the crowning point of His creation. People were not an afterthought to God.
Before making human beings, God fashioned the perfect environment for them. When everything was ready to sustain human life, He then made the man and woman and placed them in the responsible position of enjoying and overseeing the world.
Bible students have debated the meaning of the plural pronouns Us and Our in this verse. This is the first of four instances in the Old Testament where the plural is used in divine speech (Gen. 1:26; 3:22; 11:7; Isa. 6:8). Some suggest that these are examples of the deliberative plural (inner reflection) or plural of majesty (expression of honor). Others (myself included) hold that the plurals are intentional references to the Trinity.
The Triune God fashioned humanity-unlike all other living creatures-to be in His image and likeness. I believe that verse 26 uses plural pronouns for God while verse 27 uses the singular form to demonstrate Scripture's affirmation of one God who exists in three Persons.
The terms image and likeness translate two Hebrew terms with similar but distinct meanings. The first refers to a replica or representation, much like a statue depicts someone but is not actually that person (Daniel 3:1). The second term refers to a similitude or resemblance, either in form (Ezekiel 1:5) or nature (Genesis 5:3). These two words support and define one another. The Creator intended humans to be like Him and to reflect His nature.
To be sure, we as humans are creatures and not little gods. Unlike other creatures, however, we possess a spiritual nature as well as a physical nature. We are able to relate to God-that is, to enjoy His presence and to worship, pray, and commune with Him-as no other part of creation can do. Our sin broke that relationship. However, at salvation the Holy Spirit regenerates and inhabits the human spirit, bearing witness that we are God's children (Romans 8:16).
Because human beings can relate to God in this way, He gave them the task of ruling over ("have dominion over,") all of the other creatures. At least two principles derive from this truth. First, human authority in the world is delegated, not inherent. People exercise their God-given authority best when they live in humble submission to the Creator. Second, human authority in the world is stewardship, not ownership. People are to care for and manage the world for God's glory. After all, He is the Owner.
Applying the Scriptures: What is the best thing to you about being made in God's image? What are some ways that believers can practice and promote good stewardship of God's creation? What role does thanking God for the provision He has made for our well-being play in this stewardship?
Serving Christ, Loving Others, and Growing Together,
Dr. Bryan Cox
No comments:
Post a Comment