A Beautiful Beginning - Genesis 1:1-2:3

A Beautiful Beginning

Genesis 1:1-2:3

In today’s passage we can see creation from its beginning to its culmination in God creating human beings in the persons of Adam and Eve.  For this discussion, I would ask that the debate about the the literal nature of days and nights, any consideration of a supposed “gap” theory, or any other areas of controversy, be left to another forum.  If it impacts one's consideration of these posts, and in the spirit of full disclosure, I believe that the days were literal 24 hours and that there was no “gap” between verse one and two of Genesis chapter one.  Our purpose here is simple, the discovery of truth in God’s Word, and how that truth provides direction for our lives today.

It is “Very Good”

At each phase of creation God decrees that “it is good,” with the exception when He finishes creating mankind (the work “man” in Genesis 1:26 is translated from the Hebrew word אָדָ֛ם (adam), which simply the generic term for mankind, which is subsequently used as a proper name for the first man “Adam”) where he says,

“31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ge 1:31.

God’s creation was “very good”.  We can conclusively accept as true that when God created there was no evil in any part of the creation.  God’s intention for all of creation, including mankind, was goodness at the creation, and is still goodness today.  This is foundational in our study of God’s Word.  Just as in His original creation, we see that throughout the Bible God consistently seeks goodness for His creation.  God’s desire for you is goodness.

In Our Image

There is a great deal of debate over the use of the plural “Our” and “Elohim” for God in our passage.  One view suggested proposes “plural of majesty”, however, this is rejected by most.  While there may be truth to the plural showing majesty, the better understanding is more likely that of divine contemplation, which also makes provision for the later revelation in God’s Word for God’s Triune nature.  Again, there is no need for debate of this here.  Please leave that for other academic papers.

Another area where there is great debate may be found in the ideas of God’s “image” and “likeness”.  Although a tremendous amount of effort has gone into what exactly these terms mean, and the implications on our understanding of the nature of man, there is no information found in scripture which specifically defines this.  I am convinced that the proper position to take one of, where scripture is silent, we too should be silent.  I believe that man’s speculation about these words, which may simply be repetition for emphasis, and be synonymous in meaning.  Since the context does not provide a definition, perhaps the best way to see reference to the image of God is not in the nature of mankind, but in the role mankind is to play in the creation, as is proposed by K. A. Mathews:

Although Genesis tells who is created in the “image of God,” both man and woman (1:27; 1 Cor 11:7; Jas 3:9), it does not describe the contents of the “image.” The passage focuses on the consequence of that creative act, which is humanity’s rule over the terrestrial world of life (1:28; Ps 8:6 [7]). That lofty position merited the divine bestowal of “glory and honor” (Ps 8:5 [6]) that one and at the same time acknowledged human creatureliness and yet honored mankind above all creatures as “human.”

K. A. Mathews, Genesis 1-11:26, vol. 1A, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 164.

Now is a good time, following Mathews statement to note that both man and woman were created in the image of God.  Before we move on, it may be noted, with Mathews, ibid., that it is the lofty position of man over creation which best relates to the “image/likeness” of God, and perhaps it is not just man (males) who is given dominion over the earth, but humanity in general.  The relationship of man and woman will be saved for what is revealed subsequently, but for now, let us turn to the implications of God’s command to man, which includes, but is not limited to dominion over the earth.

God’s First Command for Mankind

It is important to note that the first command of God is preceded with His blessing of mankind, again reinforcing the truth that God’s intention for mankind is to bless us.  If we are to live our lives with a proper world view, we must never lose site of this truth.  In the midst of the conflict with sin in which we now find ourselves, we can trust the God is continually working toward blessing those who love and trust Him (see also Romans 8:28).  Any loss of this truth in the study of God’s Word may lead to a false perspective.

God’s command for mankind comes with two aspects which I believe are connected:

1. Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it
2. Have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth

God’s first command being to multiply and fill the earth and subdue it must be viewed with profound implications on our fundamental understanding of current debates raging in our society today.  As I write this blog, the supreme court of the United states of America is considering changing the fundamental of meaning of marriage from between one man and one woman to include same sex relationships.  Any discussion of the purpose of two humans joining in a union apart from this command from God violates the very reason God created individuals with distinct male and female gender.  When considered in view of the command to “subdue” the earth, without filling/populating the entire earth, which requires procreation, subduing the earth is impossible. 

God’s command to “subdue” the earth comes with both authority and responsibility.  According to the NASB Hebrew-Aramaic Dictionary, the Hebrew word translated subdue is:
3533.      כָּבַשׁ kabash (461b); a prim. root; to subdue, bring into bondage:—assault(1), brought them into subjection(2), forced into bondage(1), forcing(1), subdue(1), subdued(5), subjugate(1), trample(1), tread our under foot(1), under foot(1).

Robert L. Thomas, New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries : Update 

Edition (Anaheim: Foundation Publications, Inc., 1998).

As evidenced by the following verses, mankind had complete authority over all living creatures which moved on the earth.  The to the extent of authority that God gives man over the creation is evidenced in Genesis 2:19f where we see God bringing all the animals and birds before Adam for him to name, and gives Adam the choice of accepting any of them as a companion.  Implicit in this authority includes responsibility for them.  While I do not believe that this give credence to the environmental movements actions, it should give us pause in how we manage that which God has entrusted us.  If we desire to experience God’s blessing in the fullest manner possible, we must consider the best possible methods of managing His creation, however, this does not involve leaving the creation alone.  We must manage the creation.  This must never mean giving animals or plant life priority over mankind.  They were given to mankind as a part of God’s blessing to them, not the other way around.  When the choice must be made between the well being of another part of the creation and the well being of humans, humans must always be the priority.  It requires proper balance between authority and responsibility for mankind to experience the full blessings God desires for mankind.

The rest of our passage presents the method by which God intends mankind to fulfill His purposes for the creation.  There is one central truth which becomes evident, the fulfillment of God's purpose for mankind is through the institution of the family.  It is out of the family structure that every other system of relationships are best understood.  It is as the family is destroyed we see society itself disintegrating.  If we are to experience God’s best, there are basic principles we must learn from the passage.

First, there is order in the creation.  God did not create arbitrarily, nor does he expect us to live our lives without order.  When we live in a state of chaos, we experience insecurity.  When we live with no sense of purpose and direction, we can not experience all that God desires for our lives.  Further, when we strive after a purpose contrary to the fundamental desires of God it is impossible to discover and live within our individual purposes.  This includes our basic need for family and relationship.
Second, there is an authority structure in the created order.  This is made evident in mankind's authority over animals and the earth.  We will see in our next blog how this authority structure was corrupted resulting from sin.  To experience God’s awesome blessings in our lives, we must submit to the authorities He places in our lives, and take responsibly for the areas of authority with which He has entrusted to us.

Sin has corrupted our ability to fulfill either of these areas in our lives, but in Christ, and Him alone, we can experience the full restoration of God’s power and abundance.

I am in the process of trying to get back on track with the primary focus of this blog.  Yes, occasionally I will post on political conditions in our nation and how we as believers may best respond from a Biblical perspective, but it is my intention to focus more on applying Biblical truth to everyday struggles we each face.  My approach is to examine Biblical passages, expounding on the contextual conditions of the passages and the truths found within them, only then providing insight for contemporary application.  I will begin soon and pray that your life will be enriched greatly from the truths found in the Word of God.