REDISCOVERING THE REAL YOU-2 Genesis 1:26-28
‘The God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over everything that moves on the earth.’ (Genesis 1:26-28)
This is a follow up to the insight the Lord sent to us in the first part of the series.
X-Ray of Genesis 1:27-28
A major difference between verse 26 and verses 27-28 is that while the former is God’s intention, the latter is God’s action. Not only did God proposed to create man in His image, He DID!
*First Step: Genesis 1:27
‘So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them’. This verse contains some repetitions and emphases ‘in His own image / in the image of God’ ‘God created man / He created him/He created them’
Every man is created in the image of God Himself. The synonyms of the word image include picture, idea, representation, semblance, exact likeness, concept, replica, duplicate, carbon copy. Thus, man is the closest thing to God. This verse is the perfect conclusion for the creation of man.
*Second step: Genesis 1:28
‘Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it, have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over everything that moves on the earth.’
This is a step God took that He never made mention of in verse 26. At creation, God infused in man an extraordinary capacity to produce and prosper; to become many; and to rule over all things. Man has inherent capacity to accomplish all things in line with the dominion mandate. What we call inventions, discoveries, miracles and mighty things today are part of the creation capacity of every man.
Application of the Truths in Genesis 1:27-28
1. You are God’s duplicate
This, we must always remind ourselves of. As God’s handiwork, you are God’s best and biggest. God intentional made you like Himself. You are His replica. Whoever sees you, sees most of God. Thus, you are to carry yourself in the light of that understanding.
2. You are a blessing
God Himself blessed you and in the process, made you a blessing; the greatest blessing in the entire creation. He fortified you to function at the highest level. That pronouncement: ‘Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over…’ can’t be surpassed. You are already equipped to stand out and stand tall. Whatever you are gifted (cash, office, position, etc.) is an addendum. This is the highest declaration over you at creation.