Study of Genesis - Week 3

Genesis 1:26-31

From the Defenders Study Bible:

"God consults with Himself here concerning the creation of man.  Man is also differentiated from plants (which have a body) and animals (which have a body and consciousness) in that man was created in the image of God, with an eternal spirit capable of communication and fellowship with his Creator.

Man was not only created in God's spiritual image, he was also made in God's physical image.  His body was specifically planned to be most suited for the divine fellowship (erect posture, upward-gazing countenance, facial expression varying with emotional feelings, brain and tongue designed for articulate speech - non of which are shared by animals).  Furthermore, his body was designed to be like the body which God had planned from eternity that He Himself would one day assume - as Jesus Christ.


Question:  How do you feel and what do you think about when you think that you were created in the image of God?

God's first command was that of producing abundant progeny sufficient to fill the earth.  The animals may have been created in sufficient numbers to fill the earth, but humans began as only two people.  The function of subduing the earth and having dominion over it would necessarily take a long time - first, for the growth of a large enough population to fill the earth, and second, for the acquiring enough knowledge and skill to enable man to bring it under full control and development.

The primevel commandmant to conquer and rule the earth has been called the dominion mandate (or first commission to mankind).  It has not been revoked by God, but was specifically renewed and extended after the flood.  The military terminology in no way implies hostility and resistence from the earth, for it was "very good".  It suggests, rather, intensive study of the earth and its creatures and then application of that knowledge for the optimum benefit of mankind and the animals, and for the glory of God.

Note that no instruction was given to exercise dominion over other men, but only over the earth and the animals.  Had man not rebelled against God's Word, all would have remained in perfect fellowship with God and, therefore, with one another.  The situation was radically changed at the fall, and God's commandment accordingly expanded  officially after the flood.


Question:  How do you think this first commission from God applies today (since there are lots of people now)?  How are we as people not being obedient?


It seems pretty clear that we were originally intended to be vegetarian.  There was adequate nourishment and energy value available in fruits and herbs to enable both to accomplish the work God had given to them to do.  The supply could not be exhausted, since the plants were designed to reproduce themselves through the seeds they produced.

Question:  How did we shift from being vegetarian and is it possible to do that again?  Is it a good goal or something that doesn't matter?

God says His creation was "very good".  This verse demonstrates that the evolutionary ages that supposedly depict a billion-year evolution of life on the earth are not possible.  A God that declares his creation is very good would be discredited by a billion years of inefficient waste and death that leads to an eventual evolution into a being that He created in His image.  God is not a bumbler and not a cruel monster, but a God of love.

Question:  How do you think God has demonstrated His love for us through His creation?