As we approach the passage where God creates humans, we notice that He speaks in the plural. This may indicate that He is addressing the entire Trinity or specifically the Spirit mentioned in Genesis 1:1-2.
Then God said, “Let us make humans in our image, according to 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 wild animals of the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth”
So God created humans in his image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them. (Genesis 1.26-27)
What does it mean to be created in God’s image?
According to Victor Hamilton, in Egyptian and Mesopotamian societies the concept of being made in the image of God was reserved for kings and a few high-ranking officials. This status was never attributed to laborers, such as canal diggers or masons who constructed their buildings.
In contrast, God’s creation story reveals a revolutionary truth: all humans are made in His image and are regarded as royal in His eyes.
Dallas Willard interprets being created in God’s image and likeness as a reflection of our role in exercising dominion. This dominion includes authority over the fish, birds, and cattle of the earth.
In God’s design, dominion represents the scope of His power. He has entrusted us with a measure of this power, enabling us to influence not only the creation around us but also other humans.
Servants – Not Lords
The dominion humans have over creation is a role of service, not mere ownership or control. While we are given dominion, God entrusts us with the responsibility of partnering with Him to care for the earth and all that it contains.
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” (Genesis 1.28).
No one would question a king’s authority to exercise dominion. However, when the psalmist speaks of dominion, it is framed within the context of service rather than harsh rule for personal gain.
May he judge your people with righteousness
and your poor with justice.
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy,
and crush the oppressor. (Psalm 72.2-4)
Living as humans who bear the image of our Creator means we do not exploit the earth or harm others. Instead, we use our God-given abilities to serve them, fulfilling our role as partners with God.
Vegetarians
Before the flood, it appears that both humanity and the animal kingdom were vegetarian.
God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food.
And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the air and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food” And it was so (Genesis 1.29-30).
Here’s a fun fact: Gorillas can lift or move objects weighing between 1,800 and 2,000 pounds. Their arm strength is so powerful that they have been known to bend or break steel bars in some zoo environments.
Despite their incredible strength, gorillas are primarily vegetarians, feeding on leaves, stems, fruits, and bamboo shoots.
A Very Good Creation
When God completed His work of creation on the sixth day, He declared not only that it was good but that it was very good.
God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day (Genesis 1.31).
Several years ago, I was driving my truck to officiate a wedding when a pesky grasshopper landed on my windshield. While I’m not particularly fond of grasshoppers, I found myself marveling at God’s handiwork as I drove down the highway.
There is no way I could ever create something as intricate as a grasshopper, yet God does so effortlessly. Though they may seem insignificant to us, we are utterly incapable of making even one.
Truly, God’s creation is not just good—it is very good. We are deeply blessed to be part of it.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed the fifth and sixth day of creation today on YouTube.
Real Voices 