The Crown Jewel

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. – Genesis 1:26-31

With a bit more discretionary time these days, I’ve managed to watch a couple movies – some of which I might one day recommend. One very clever series, Lupin, is about a thief who steals Marie Antoinette’s prized jewels from the Louvre. There was quite a back-story, and many twists and turns of plot. Those jewels, though. Precious. Valuable. Beautiful! 

Perhaps you’ve seen it in a newborn baby. Maybe it’s a supermodel. Perhaps it could be your favorite heartthrob actor. Would I date myself if I mention Rachel Welch, or Tom Selleck. George Clooney? Sophia Loren? How about the Venus de Milo sculpture? Or Michelangelo’s David? Maybe it’s your husband or wife that you see reflecting the beauty, creative splendor, and image of God. 

If you watch almost any TV or movie these days, in addition to the electricity between leading man and woman, you will no doubt see a gay or lesbian couple. Portrayed as normal, upstanding role models these actors provide a glimpse of the subtle tools of the deceiver. When God is finished with his work of creation (male and female) he pronounces it not just good, but very good. 

The pure and perfect relationships of man and woman with God – together with all of creation is very good. We have here the grand sweep of God’s creative work. He creates light first and at the end creates man and woman from the dust of the earth. He breathes into their nostrils the breath of life. And man becomes a living being. The crown of God’s creation.

Consider what we are able to do! We can imagine a painting or sculpture and if we have the skill  create a work of art. We are able to conceive and bear children. We are able to manicure lawns, grow flowers and vegetables according to our personal tastes and desires. We can build cars, rockets, airplanes, and ships, and travel near and far. 

There are also ways we can damage and abuse the creation. We will look at that soon enough, but for now let us reflect on God’s very good creation. Imagine if you are able what life in a pristine environment without sin or brokenness of any kind would be like. One day it will all be restored. One day we will leave behind this present brokenness and trouble. But for now we must do all we can to subdue the earth, manage it well, and reflect the image of God in how we live, speak, think, and move. 

We must thank, praise, serve, and obey the Creator of everything initially deemed to be very good.