A.
Find Out:
1.
On what basis was God making man? v.26a
2.
With what purpose in mind? v.26b
3.
What threefold instruction did He give them? v.28
4.
What were they to eat? v.29
5.
What were all the land creatures to eat? v.30
6.
What was God's assessment of what He had made? v.31
B.
Think :
1.
What, in this passage, in the making of man, makes him special?
2.
What in his purpose makes man special, above all other creatures?
3.
How was Creation at the beginning different from what it is now?
C.
Comment :
Whatever else it means, "in God's likeness" means
that in some way we are similar to God and different from all other
creatures. Man is an active, thinking, rationalising, planning, designing,
creating being who has the capability of making moral judgements and
who is to rule over all other creatures. In this sense he is quite distinct
from all other creatures on earth. It is BECAUSE God has made man like
this that He gave man the mandate to rule (v.26,28) and subdue (v.28).
That clearly, is to be a wise "looking after" and "bringing
order" type of ruling and subduing. Man is to look after God's
creation and use it wisely.
It is interesting to note that at the
very beginning both men and creatures were entirely vegetarian. The
clear indication is that at the beginning God made it so that animals
could live alongside animals. That was not to last very long and the
later sacrificial system for Israel prevents us from deriving any sort
of "vegetarian only" theology. The picture of God's creation
at the beginning is of complete peace with man being appointed to maintain
that order.
D.
Application?
1.
Thank the Lord for the sort of being He has made you to be, capable
of
being thoughtful, caring , creative and decision
making. Pray for His
wisdom.
2.
Thank Him again for the variety of His provision.