{"id":79,"date":"2024-12-07T23:31:20","date_gmt":"2024-12-07T23:31:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jennimckinney.com\/?p=79"},"modified":"2025-11-07T23:31:36","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T23:31:36","slug":"genesis-1-3-creation-of-all-things","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jennimckinney.com\/?p=79","title":{"rendered":"Genesis 1-3: Creation of All Things"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Man is Special<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Controversy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s progenitors. Christians who believe in evolution are faced with a dilemma when comparing it with the biblical account of man\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1: In God\u2019s Image<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genesis chapter one relates the creation account. In Genesis 1:27, the Bible records that God made man \u201cin the image of God\u201d (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 \u2013 only man had that distinction. What does it mean to be made in God\u2019s image? The answer has been the subject of debate since the beginning of time, because the Bible doesn\u2019t provide a cut-and-dried answer. To get started researching this, I would recommend this article: What Is the Image of God?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2: The Breath of Life<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another honor for Man is found in Genesis 2:7, which states, \u201cAnd 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.\u201d This was another first. No other created being was called out in the Scriptures as having the \u201cbreath of life\u201d 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\u2019s as if the Bible is trying to emphasize how special man was in the created order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3: A Home<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the prior unique descriptors, Genesis 2:8 recounts how God \u201cplanted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed.\u201d 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\u2019s own hand. This is special treatment indeed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4: An Occupation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God didn\u2019t just drop man into a beautiful garden and walk away. Genesis 2:15 states that God \u201cput him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.\u201d 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\u2019s creation as an extension of God Himself. Man alone was intended to be God\u2019s hands and feet in the garden. This was a show of preference and trust that was not afforded to any other creature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5: Kingship<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to recording that man was made in God\u2019s image, Genesis 1:26 goes on to record God\u2019s intent for man: \u201cAnd let them have dominion.\u201d In other words, man was made last of all in the created order, but was made to reign. As proof of man\u2019s authority, Genesis 2:19-20 reveals that God \u201cbrought [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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surely, the lesser is named by the greater. God named Adam, and Adam named the animals \u2013 clearly revealing God\u2019s intent in the created order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6: Co-Pilot<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

           Adam went through all the animals\u2019 resumes but wasn\u2019t able to find the ideal candidate to be his co-pilot (Genesis 2:20). As a result, God took Adam\u2019s rib and created another human being with it \u2013 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7: Communion with God<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

           The seventh way the Bible showed the uniqueness and specialness of man is found in Genesis 2:16: \u201cAnd the Lord God commanded the man, saying\u2026\u201d 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 \u201cheard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Man was made in God\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Questions to Consider:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n