The Remarkable Significance of Human Beings in the Genesis One Account
At the beginning of the Genesis account, the very high significance of human beings is especially emphasized. Adam and Eve are the last of God's creation, but not because they are least. In fact, all that has gone on before in the creation story is in anticipation of their special creation, It is no accident that God does not declare creation good until the third day (Genesis 1.10). This is because the land with its vegetation and fruit trees are ready for human occupation which brings delight to God as he prepares for Adam and Eve. God pronounces the prepared land as good. The Hebrew word for good here means that it exactly meets the purpose for which God created it.
Even the fourth day of creation has humans in mind with the creation of 'lights' in the sky, including the sun and the moon (called the 'greater light' and the 'lesser light' which emphasize that the sun and the moon are simply created things and not gods and goddesses to be worshiped as many did in that time). They are, in part, given as 'signs and for seasons and for day and for years' (Genesis 1.14). The question is signs for whom? The answer, of course, is for Adam and Eve and for those who would follow. The heavens primarily reveal the glory and power of God (Psalm 8), but it is astounding to think that the sun, moon and stars with their great size and magnitude were also created to aid seemingly insignificant humans to help in understanding times and seasons, when to plant, when to prepare for summer, winter, etc.
The creation of the animals also reflects the high significance of humans in that there is, for instance, the odd mention of cattle among the created animals in Genesis1.24-26. There is this generic listing of animals as living creatures and creeping things, but suddenly there is this mention of cattle. Why specifically the mention of cattle? It is because cattle represent domesticated animals that directly benefit and contribute to human life (milk, leather, and food that doesn't need to be hunted). It seems that they are a special creation to be a benefit for humans showing human importance.
Adam and Eve are the crown of creation in 1.26-27. The repetition of the words 'created', 'likeness', and 'image' are highly significant. Ancient Hebrew had no special markers like exclamation points, underlining, or italics to draw attention to important words or phrases. The use of repetition of 'created' (used three times) indicates Adam and Eve's importance. The words 'image' and 'likeness' usually were used to describe statues or images of gods or kings. The idea of a king making statues of himself and placing them in prominent places throughout his kingdom was meant to emphasize his glory and power. They also served to show the extent of his kingdom and rule (Caesar Augustus reportedly had 50,000 statues, reliefs, and wall carvings of himself throughout the Roman Empire. All of these were meant to reflect his 'presence', goodness, power, and importance). This is the intent of humans as well. The difference is that we are 'living statues' meant to reflect God's wonderful image. What we reflect is not a physical image, but rather in our actions and relationships, we can reflect the 'presence', power, love, and majesty of our creator. Adam and Eve were commanded to 'multiply and fill the earth', in other words to extend God's kingdom and rule over all the earth. This command still holds, only that the Christian community is to 'make disciples of all the nations' taking God's image everywhere (Matthew 28). Through our actions, and relationships we have opportunities to reflect God's image. It is interesting that although God is spirit and has no body, it can be said that in a reflective sense in bearing his image that we can act as God's 'ears', 'eyes', 'hands', 'feet', and 'mouth' wherever we go and in all our situations. Does this wonderful privilege excite you? How are you doing as an 'image bearer'? What could be better than as 'living statues' reflecting God we bring his presence with all of his restoring power, wholeness, and goodness into every situation we encounter!
