BS1 What is man 1 – original intent

The aim of this devotional study is to consider that man was made “in the likeness of God” and the consequences thereof.

Scripture

Genesis 1:24-31

24  And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds–livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. 25  And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

26  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 heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

28  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 heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29  And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. 30  And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens 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.

31  And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Observation

1. What do we learn about mankind in each of the following verses?
   1. Verse 26
   2. Verse 27
   3. Verse 28
   4. Verse 29
   5. Verse 31
2. Now summarize what you observe in this Text about God’s original intent of mankind (in terms of role/ purpose).
3. From this creation account, what distinguishes mankind from animals?

Personal Reflection

1. Man was created “in the image of God” and “very good”.
   1. How should impact your self-image?
   2. How should that impact your relationship with God?
   3. How should that impact your relationship with your neighbor?
2. Man was created to “have dominion” over everything in earth.
   1. How does that impact your attitude towards your environment and nature in general?
3. Why are people precious to God?

Prayer

Pray this prayer of David to God, and then pray that God will re-adjust your attitude to the people around you in accordance with His view of them.

Psalms 8:1-9

1  O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens… 3  When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4  what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? 5  Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 6  You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, 7  all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, 8  the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. 9  O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!