In the previous post, we looked at the first 19 verses of the 1st chapter of the Book of Genesis (the Book of Beginnings). As we continue, let us imagine that we are an audience. We are in our seats. The Overture has finished, and the curtain has gone up to reveal the backdrop. Now, from "stage left" and "stage right"; from above, and below; the characters enter. First of all there is the crowd scene; then the heroes arrive on stage.
The Creator has made an environment that is capable of supporting life. Now, He lets loose a flurry of fin, feather, and fur to fill it. Do notice that human beings don't get a creation day to themselves, being created on the sixth day with all of the other «beasts of the earth» (Gen.1:25) - the creatures that inhabited the land. From one perspective, we are a part pf the animal creation.
However, Almighty God planned a very special role for us in the world. «Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” ... 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 air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”» (vs. 26, 28). He appointed us to be His agents, or stewards, to run the planet for Him. This is the work He has designed us to do.
But that is not all. He also desires that we reflect His own character! «Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; ... So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.» (vs.26, 27). Being like God means treating the natural world both responsibly and constructively. Notice, too, that in spite of the claims of some in our contemporary world, there were, and are, only two genders - male and female. That is the Biblical position and, I would contend, the position of common sense and observation! What does it mean to be «created in His image»? That, too, is a subject on its own, and something to which I may return!
He also created us to rest with Him. «And on the seventh day God finished His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all His work which He had done in creation.» (2:2-3). God's "rest" is not idleness! He has finished a perfect job - «And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.» (1:31; emphasis added) - so there is no more creating to do. Of course, He has been busy ever since, with other work - sustaining, guiding, feeding, etc. He is not the "god who creates, and then ignores" that some propose! And we must never forget His great work of redemption through the death of the Lord Jesus on the cross at Calvary, and His glorious resurrection. But the Creator built into human nature the need to make one day of the week different - to break off from our daily work, to celebrate His work, and to turn to things for which there may be no time on other days.
Sadly, as we look around, we see much abuse of God's plan for the world. We see exploitation of the environment, and cruelty to animals. We see indignities to people who are made in His image, including man's dominance over women, rather than partnership with them. We see waste and misuse. We see some who have little or nothing, while others have far more than they need. How can this be? That is a question that the Book of Genesis answers shortly - but it is for another post!
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