創世記1:24-28 Genesis 1:24-28,

God created the earth where we live, and he created all kinds of animals upon it. There are many different animals on this earth, aren’t there? Lions, tigers, elephants, cows, horses, sheep, goats – all kinds of animals. Do any of you have a particular favourite animal? Pandas are very popular now, I believe. After God had created all these animals, he created humans last.

When creating humans, 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” (verse 26). And in verse 27, the Bible summarises, “So God created man in his own image.” What does this mean?

God is not a being with a visible form. Therefore, the image of God does not refer to a visible form. Consequently, it must refer to an invisible form – that is, a state of heart. In other words, humans were created with a heart capable of understanding God’s will. They were created to be able to understand God’s will and live in accordance with it. Because humans were created to understand God’s will, as verse 26 states, God gave them a special role: “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.” This is expressed in God’s words of verse 28: “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.”

However, the phrase “have dominion” might conjure an image of kings forcibly ruling over people with brute force. Or perhaps it brings to mind feudal lords of the Edo period in Japan exacting taxes from peasants and causing them hardship. Yet, the “dominion” spoken of here does not mean humans may rule over other creatures as humans please. Rather, it signifies overseeing and governing other creatures according to God’s will, in a manner pleasing God. Humans are not as strong as lions, nor as large as elephants. Yet, having been created to understand God’s will, they have been given the role of leaders to govern all living creatures.

Therefore, if humans are to live as truly human beings, they must understand God’s will well, follow it, and do what pleases him. This is the greatest happiness for humans. However, as I shall speak of another day, because our human ancestors rebelled against God, we have come to act contrary to his will. Originally created to understand God’s will, we lost that ability. To save such humans and enable us to live according to God’s will, God sent his only Son, Jesus, into the world.

Recently, the issue of humans destroying the earth’s environment has become a major concern. Humans cut down forest trees and emit vast amounts of carbon dioxide for their livelihoods, causing the earth’s temperature to rise. Heavy rains leading to floods and high temperatures causing wildfires have become more frequent than before. Because humans have damaged the earth’s environment, living creatures are finding it harder to survive and are suffering. In Australia, many koalas perished due to the prolonged bushfires. In the Arctic Ocean, melting ice is making it difficult for polar bears to live on the ice and catch their prey. Let us strive to protect the earth’s environment and cherish other living creatures, in accordance with God’s will.