Man is Special
Overview
The first three chapters of Genesis provide readers with an overview of the creation week and a more detailed account of the creation of Adam and Eve. If you want your mind blown, keep reading.
Controversy
Modern secular science operates on the assumption that man is just another animal. Indeed, those who espouse the theory of evolution point to animals as man’s progenitors. Christians who believe in evolution are faced with a dilemma when comparing it with the biblical account of man’s creation. The Bible records several distinct honors given to man alone, setting him apart as different and more special than the other created beings (sea creatures, birds, and land animals), and emphasizing his kingship over the earth. The Biblical account clearly distinguishes man as not only different in kind from the other created beings, but also uniquely privileged by God. Consider the following seven examples.
1: In God’s Image
Genesis chapter one relates the creation account. In Genesis 1:27, the Bible records that God made man “in the image of God” (King James Version). This was not written about any other created being. No monkey or eagle or whale was identified as being made in the image of God – only man had that distinction. What does it mean to be made in God’s image? The answer has been the subject of debate since the beginning of time, because the Bible doesn’t provide a cut-and-dried answer. To get started researching this, I would recommend this article: What Is the Image of God?
2: The Breath of Life
Another honor for Man is found in Genesis 2:7, which states, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” This was another first. No other created being was called out in the Scriptures as having the “breath of life” breathed into its nostrils by God himself. It is entirely possible that all other breathing animals received their breath of life from God, but the Bible omits recording that detail for any other created being besides man. It’s as if the Bible is trying to emphasize how special man was in the created order.
3: A Home
In addition to the prior unique descriptors, Genesis 2:8 recounts how God “planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed.” God made a special area for man to live. The rest of the created beings were not given this kind of intimate treatment, but instead seemed to be meant to just roam the earth at will or make their own nests. Only for man was a home prepared by God’s own hand. This is special treatment indeed!
4: An Occupation
God didn’t just drop man into a beautiful garden and walk away. Genesis 2:15 states that God “put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” In other words, God gave man ownership of the garden and meaningful work. No other created being was given the opportunity to care for God’s creation as an extension of God Himself. Man alone was intended to be God’s hands and feet in the garden. This was a show of preference and trust that was not afforded to any other creature.
5: Kingship
In addition to recording that man was made in God’s image, Genesis 1:26 goes on to record God’s intent for man: “And let them have dominion.” In other words, man was made last of all in the created order, but was made to reign. As proof of man’s authority, Genesis 2:19-20 reveals that God “brought [every beast of the field] unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field.”
Surely, the lesser is named by the greater. God named Adam, and Adam named the animals – clearly revealing God’s intent in the created order.
6: Co-Pilot
Adam went through all the animals’ resumes but wasn’t able to find the ideal candidate to be his co-pilot (Genesis 2:20). As a result, God took Adam’s rib and created another human being with it – one that complemented Adam and had the same wit and vivacity to work alongside him and help manage the Garden. This account of the creation of just one human woman (Eve) is contrasted sharply with the creation of all the different animals earlier in the week. The woman was unique; God only made one instance of her. Surely Adam was favored to have such a specially-created one-of-a-kind queen to be at his side!
7: Communion with God
The seventh way the Bible showed the uniqueness and specialness of man is found in Genesis 2:16: “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying…” God spoke to man. These chapters do not relate any instances of God speaking to any other animals like this (with one exception: God spoke to the serpent to curse him after Adam and Eve sinned). But communing with the humans was portrayed as the natural order of things. Consider Genesis 3:8, which recounts that Adam and Eve “heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” They knew His voice and they were not surprised that He was coming to commune with them, indicating it was a common occurrence. Man walked with God! This alone puts man at the pinnacle of creation.
Conclusion
Man was made in God’s image, received the breath of life into his nostrils, had a home fabricated for him, was given the privilege of working with God, made to reign over creation, presented with a spotless queen, and communed with the Lord of Lords as a matter of course! In all of these ways was man made different from and higher than the animals. God clearly made the world for man and not man for the world. This paradigm not only directly opposes the message of the world; it is itself superior, being a source of hope and dignity, and laying the groundwork for the coming of the last Adam, Jesus Christ.
Questions to Consider:
- How does the creation account offer more dignity to humanity than the theory of evolution?
- How should man reign over the earth? What types of responsibilities does the king of the planet need to be accountable for?
- Given the order and reasoning for creating man and woman, how should husbands and wives treat each other?