WHY IS THE WORLD THE WAY IT IS? "GOD MADE
IT FOR MAN"
GENESIS 1: 24-2:3
INTRODUCTION
What would have to be true of your life 10 years from now in order for
you to consider yourself successful? A group of high school graduates
were asked a question similar to that, I’d like to read you some of their
answers. The actual question was, "How do you envision yourself 10
years from now – in your best of all possible worlds or your worst nightmare?"
Here’s what some of them said. (Read several quotes from the Denver Post
article.)
How you spell success determines everything about your life. All of us
have a definition of what a successful life looks like. Most of us haven’t
consciously thought it through but all of us act every day of our life
to fulfill the vision of what we believe a successful or happy life looks
like. While few of us have written goals or clear plans for what we will
do to attain the successful life, all of us have a picture in our mind
of what it takes to be happy.
In the text we are going to examine today, God lays out his view of what
it takes to live a successful life. In Genesis 1: 24 and following we
are given a glimpse back in time and into the very mind of God as he creates
human beings. In this text, God reveals why he made people and in so doing
gives us clear teaching on what a successful life looks like. While the
specifics will vary from life to life, there are certain, inviolable truths
about what it means to be human. To ignore these truths is to subject
ourselves to a nightmare far worse than these graduates or any of us can
imagine.
Here in the second half of the opening chapter of the Bible we are told
that…
MAIN POINT Be sure to correct their notes
A successful life is a life with God at the center because….
(Another way to say this is, "A fully human life is a life with
God at the center")
I. God made us to be like Him (vv. 24-27)
The very structure of Genesis 1 is designed to draw our attention to
day 6, which begins in v. 24. You need to notice the structure of this
chapter, because the form of the writing is part of the message. Notice
again the parallel structure between days 1-3 and 4-6. Notice also the
amount of ink given to each day. Day 3 is a little more than days 1 &
2 combined. Day 4 and 5 are both as long as day 3 but Day 6 is longer
than Days 4 & 5 combined. The very formation of the text draws our
attention to day 6 and the creation of man. Mankind stands out as the
crown and climax of God’s creative work. In fact, the progress of creation
points to the fact that God is forming a world for man to live in. All
that happens from verse 1 through v. 25 is preparation for the goal of
creation, which is man.
Let me give you an assignment for this afternoon. It should take you
about 15 minutes. Read Gen. 1 and identify all the ways that vv. 24-31
break the pattern of the other 5 days. What are the words and structures
that make it unique?
What do we see when we get to the description of God creating human beings?
We first of all get to listen in on God talking with Himself. This is
in itself a marked change from the pattern of all the other days, demonstrating
the uniqueness of what is about to happen. Who does the "us"
refer to? Either God and the heavenly court, i.e. angels or God as a plurality.
Hard to be sure but my sense is that it is God as a plurality. While we
do not see the Trinity revealed clearly in the OT, there are indications
that God, while being one, is a plurality of persons. In this text the
evidence is in verse 27. God makes man in his image and that image consists
of male and female. One human race but two distinct and equal parts that
make up the race. In addition, in verse two, the Spirit of God is mentioned
as he is numerous other times in the OT.
There are three things I need to say about man created "in the image
of God".
First, to be made in God’s image is both a fact and an ideal. It is a
fact in that every person sitting in this room is made in God’s image.
Every human being who has ever lived is made in God’s image. I want you
to think about looking at yourself in a mirror. In the mirror you see
an accurate reflection of your physical self, but the reflection is not
you. It shows true things about you but not every true thing about you.
So every human being reveals something of the nature and character of
God. Each of us are a reflection of God that is accurate but not complete.
Also, we are images, not God himself. True things about God can be known
by looking at human beings.
However, while being made in the image of God is a fact of human existence
it is also an ideal to seek for. This is getting ahead of where we are
in Genesis but it needs to be said now. While we are made in God’s image,
yet, because of sin, that image is marred. It is easy to show the many
ways God’s image in man is distorted. God never lies, you and I often
lie. God is always just and fair, we are often unjust and partial in our
dealings with others. God never makes errors in judgement, we often do.
The ways in which we are distorting the image of God are almost limitless.
When God made man in Genesis 1 these faults were not present. Man was
the perfect image of God. But now that image is shattered and obscured
by sin.
Illus: The Cistine chapel, whose dome was painted by Michelangelo was
recently restored. Prior to the restoration you could see the paintings
but the years of grime had blurred the edges, covered over all the colors
and in some cases had erased entire figures. The before and after pictures
in National Geographic were stunning.
Now, the exciting thing we are told in the New Testament is that Jesus
was the perfect image of God. To see him was to see God living in the
flesh. Since his death, resurrection and ascension all who trust in him
have been given a new nature. Look at Ephesians 4: 20-24. This new nature
is created to be like God. When we are with Jesus, either through death
or by his return, all who trust him will be like him fully (cf. I John
3: 1-4). Until that time we are to seek to imitate God (Eph. 5: 1-2).
We are to seek to become more like God, to more faithfully reflect his
nature and character and behavior. No one will do this perfectly in this
life, but this is the ideal we work towards and for which we hope.
Second, what exactly does it mean to be made in the image of God? There
have been many attempts throughout history to define exactly what this
means. Various aspects of mans nature have been identified as that part
of man made in God’s image. Some have suggested our moral reasoning, others
our spiritual nature, still others our ability to think and communicate.
However, this all seems foreign to the text we have before us. The same
words are used in Genesis 5 when we are told that Adam had a son, Seth,
in his image. Now if we were to ask, "In what way is Seth the image
of Adam?" Our answer would have to be something like this. There
are many ways that Seth is like his father. In fact, in almost every characteristic
of Seth there is a reflection of Adam. So it is with us and God. God thinks,
so do we. God speaks, so do we. God works and creates, so do we. God feels
joy, so do we. God is angry, so are we. God loves, so do we. God plans,
so do we.
Can you see how important this is? In every aspect of my life, every
thought & emotion I have, in every action I take something of the
greatness of God is revealed. Even in my sin, God’s image shines through.
- When I see my wife nursing our baby I see something of the tenderness
and gentleness of God
- When I hear of a police officer arresting a criminal I know something
of the justice of God
- When I read about the conviction and sentencing of a criminal I know
something of Gods’ judgement on sin.
- When I admire the artwork of Owen Gromme, I am reminded of the creativity
of God
- When I follow the logic of an argument in one of my theology texts,
I see something of the wisdom of God
- When I watch Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa hit all those homeruns I
am reminded of God’s strength and skill.
- When I delight in yard work, I experience something of God’s delight
in caring for his creation
There is nothing in all of creation that reveals God like we do. Nothing
else in all creation has the abilities and nature of human beings. So,
while we can see something of God’s nature in the created world, he is
supremely revealed in human beings, even in our marred state.
Here is a project for you. This week, take note at least once each day
of a way you see some characteristic of God revealed in yourself or another
human being. Don’t spiritualize this. Don’t just look at "holy"
things. Rather seek to see God in the mundane realities of human conduct
and being.
The third thing that needs to be said about being made in the image of
God is that man in the image of God is male and female. As I mentioned
before, I believe we have here, a revelation of one of the profoundest
mysteries of the nature of God. Here in the beginning of God’s book we
get a look at the fact that there is one God who exists as distinct persons.
This is shown in man (singular) being made in God’s image male and female,
a plurality of persons.
So what difference does this make? Who cares we are made in God’s image
male and female? What this teaches us about maleness and femaleness is
that men and women are equal in value, in spiritual standing, in dignity,
in significance, and in importance. Does man or woman reveal God more
completely? They both equally reveal the nature and character of God.
Who is more able to know and love God, man or woman? Neither, both have
equal access to God. Who is more important or more necessary? Neither.
Both are part of God’s good plan to reveal his greatness in the universe.
Men are to be respected and women are to be equally respected as both
are in God’s image and part of God’s work in the world. This text is a
rebuke to all chauvinism and all sexism. When we look at Genesis 2 next
week we will see in what ways men and women are different but at this
point the emphasis of the text is the unity and equality of men and women.
How you treat people is of eternal importance because people are made
in the image of God. To mock and ridicule a woman because she is a woman
or a man because he is a man is to mock and ridicule God. To disrespect
people and treat people with contempt is to disrespect God and treat God
with contempt.
A successful life is a life with God at the center because…
- God made man in his image
- And because…
II. God made man to represent Him (v. 28)
Notice in both vv. 26 and 28 God says the function of man on the earth
is to subdue it and rule over it. He delineates five aspects of the created
order man is to subdue and rule over: fish, birds, livestock, the earth
itself, all other land animals.
The words for rule over and subdue are strong, vigorous words. Essentially
God is making man king over the world. He is deputizing him, giving him
delegated authority over his creation to act as his representative and
in his place. This past week Julia has been in charge of teaching Jordan
and Joelle. Jane and I gave her authority and responsibility. I was around
the house, doing laundry and other things and would have to step in and
heop on occasion, but Julia organized their days and did the actual teaching.
In the same way God is the one who creates and maintains and rules over
his creation, yet one of the means he uses to maintain and govern his
creation is the work of man. Notice again it is man and woman together
who fill, subdue and rule over creation.
Three very important things can be seen in this command.
First, work is good, not evil. Before sin entered the world, men and
women were made to do the work of filling, subduing and ruling over creation.
We were made to work. To not work is always a short-circuiting of God’s
will for our lives. God wants us to work. When we choose to not work out
of laziness or when we are unable to work due to illness or injury, we
are not fulfilling God’s will and so we will experience negative consequences
in our lives. If you have ever talked with an older person who has always
been active and working and they are now unable to work, there is a great
sense of loss and frustration in their lives.
Retirement as American culture defines it is not a biblical concept.
The idea that men and women should come to a certain age and then spend
all their time pursuing leisure/recreational activities is a violation
of this command. God wants us to contribute to the development and use
of his creation for the good of other humans and other parts of his creation.
Work was in the world before sin and work will be in the world after sin.
We are going to work in heaven. Part of the hope of heaven for those who
are disabled here is that they will be able to work as God intended when
they get to heaven.
Second, all work has value. All good work (Because of sin there is evil
work.) is part of God’s means of caring for and sustaining his creation.
Who is more important in the work of subduing and ruling over creation,
the garbage collector or the doctor? The secretary or the president of
the company? The housewife or the senator? While some work influences
greater numbers of people or rules over greater portions of creation than
others, all work is equally necessary to God’s care for his creation.
If you really believe what I just said it will revolutionize the way you
think about and perform all the work in your life. Your part in the assembly
of Yukons and Tahoes at the GM plant is God-ordained work. He uses your
work in the process of building vehicles that are used by others in the
work God has called them to. He uses the work of parents in training up
children who will be a blessing to others. All of us contribute through
our work to God’s work of governing his creation. In God’s world there
is not distinction between spiritual work and secular work. All good work
is God’s work and is part of how God cares for his world.
Third, work is effective because God has blessed humans in their work.
See that in v. 28? The only reason any of our work contributes to the
care of God’s world is because God causes it to be effective. There is
no room for pride. I have not achieved what I have achieved by personal
effort or ability. What do I have that I did not receive? God does not
need my work. He chooses to work through my work. It is an act of grace
and kindness that anything I do contributes to the well-being of this
world.
Work is from God. He wants you to work. Your work is important because
through your work God is caring for the world he has made. Yet your work
does contribute to the well-being of this world only because of God’s
blessing on it, not because of your wisdom or ability. Successful work
is not measured by the size of the paycheck you receive or the esteem
that our culture puts on the work you do. Work is successful to the degree
it is done in cooperation with and dependence upon God.
Illustration: I have a friend whose dad worked in a factory his whole
life. When Andy went to college he vowed he’d never work in a factory.
He got married the summer after he graduated from college and they had
their first child a year after they were married. He got a job in a warehouse
owned by a grocery chain. That was 15 years ago. He has struggled mightly
with spending his life doing essentially what his father did. Every day
he does the same thing, he loads food on trucks. Some of Andy’s friends
from college are missionaries and pastors, some are school teachers and
other professions, but Andy is just a warehouse worker. Andy has come
to terms with his job by recognizing that it is good work, it is God ordained
work. Loading food on trucks is a necessary part of God’s work of caring
for his world. It is also the means God has appointed for Andy to care
for his family. This is not to say it would be wrong for him to change
jobs, but if we view work from God’s point of view we will be better able
to do the work he as given us with joy and purpose.
Another illustration: Howard Hendricks experience watching flight attendant
deal with drunk guy while plane was delayed for take off. He commends
her and tells her he is going to write a letter to United to recommend
her. She says, "I don’t work for United." "I work for Jesus
Christ"
A successful life is a life with God at the center because…
- God made man in his image
- God made man as his representative
- And because…
III. God made man to enjoy Him forever (vv. 28-2:3)
One of the unique features of the creation of man is not only what God
says about man and to man but how he addresses man. In all the other days
God merely commands and things happen. It is in a sense impersonal. However,
in v. 29 God uses the 2nd person pronoun, "you".
He addresses man directly. He enters into a relationship with man that
is unlike any relationship he has with any other part of his creation.
He tells man he is giving him authority and he is giving him the resources
to fulfill his responsibilities. He deals with man completely differently
than he does with any other part of creation.
However, the awesome plan God has for man is not revealed until we get
to day 7. Notice how different the description of day 7 is from the rest
of the days of creation. He does not create anything, in fact we are carefully
told three times that the unique feature of this day is that God did no
work on this day. The second unique feature is that God blessed this day
and made it holy. This is the first time the word "holy" is
used in the bible. It always refers to a person or an object that is set
apart for God’s use, it is reserved for God uniquely. On each of the other
days God blesses the various parts of creation, not the day. Here he blesses
the day. The third thing to note here is that there is no end to this
day, no "evening and morning the 7th day".
The clear implication is that man, made in God’s image and for the purpose
of filling and subduing the earth is supposed to do it the way God works.
That is, he is to not work one day out of every seven. This day is a day
set apart by and for God. It is a day for man and God to relate to one
another. It is a day to be given to God for the purpose of knowing and
worshipping him. God has established an order in creation where man works
to subdue and rule over the earth for six days and then on the 7th
he stops the work and gives attention to the one who assigns the work.
It is an act of faith and submission. It shows I am confident that God
will care for me and his world even without my work. It is an admission
that my work is not what really matters, but rather God’s work is what
matters. The world continues to work even though I don’t work. This refraining
from work on one day in seven also demonstrates that our primary purpose
is not work but relating to God. All of our life is about God. We cease
from our work one day out of the week to remember that all of our life
is about God.
Illus: My struggle to keep the Sabbath
The other reality embedded in this day is that it is an eternal rest.
It has no end. There is an eternal day of rest into which God invites
us. There is an eternity of fellowship with God that is different even
from what Adam and Eve experienced in the garden of Eden before sin entered
the world. God always has planned on a new heaven and a new earth for
his holy people. Read Hebrews 4: 9-11. God intends for his people to stop
their work to gain heaven and to rest in his finished work, the work of
Christ on the cross. He has from the beginning of the world aimed at an
eternal relationship with his people. Christ has secured that promise
by his death and resurrection. We don’t gain a relationship with God by
our effort but rather through God’s mercy. He calls us to himself and
enables us to know him and gives us the pattern for living in His world.
The apostle Paul summarizes what the whole bible is trying to say in
this phrase: "From him and through him and to him are all things".
All that we are and have come from God, all we accomplish comes by means
of God and all we are and do is for the display of God’s greatness. Life
is about God. All of my life is about him, not just what I do on Sunday
mornings or when I read my Bible or go to a prayer meeting. All I am and
have is designed to show how great he is and my life is to end in an eternity
of knowing and loving and serving him.
Describe my experience in 91 of discovering that life is about God.
My life was about my work, my family and my hobbies. These are what I
loved. These are what defined my life. God in his mercy confronted me
with the fact this text describes for us. Life is about God. Success in
living is measured only in how satisfied I am with God. Is my delight
in him? This transformed my life. I hate my sin. I love my work. I am
confident my work will be effective. I love to depend on God and have
but one ambition in life, to find all my delight in him.
A successful life is a life with God at the center because…
- God made man in his image
- God made man as his representative
- God made man to enjoy him forever
© Copyright
2000 John Swanson.
You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material
in any format provided that:
(1) you credit the author,
(2) any modifications are clearly marked,
(3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction, and
(4) you do not make more than 1,000 copies.
If you would like to post this material to the web, or if your intended
use is other than outlined above, please contact River Hills Community
Church, 2843 West Court Street, Janesville, WI 53545. (608) 758-0943.
mail@riverhillsonline.org
|