How does Genesis 1:28 relate to Psalm 115:16's message on earth's dominion? Scripture Texts • Genesis 1:28: “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.’” • Psalm 115:16: “The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind.” Connecting the Commands • Genesis 1:28 states God’s original mandate—humans are literally to “fill,” “subdue,” and “rule” over the earth. • Psalm 115:16 reaffirms that mandate centuries later: while God retains ultimate sovereignty (“the highest heavens belong to the LORD”), He has legitimately entrusted earth’s oversight to humanity (“He has given [it] to mankind”). • Together, the verses teach delegated authority: God remains Owner; humanity is His appointed steward with real, day-to-day responsibility. Shared Themes • Divine ownership and human trusteeship—see also Leviticus 25:23; Psalm 24:1. • Blessing linked to responsibility—God’s gift of the earth (Psalm 115:16) flows from His blessing in Genesis 1:28. • Accountability—Luke 19:11-27 and Matthew 25:14-30 illustrate that delegated authority will be reviewed. • Comprehensive scope—dominion covers land, sea, sky, and every creature (Genesis 1:28; Psalm 8:6-8). Practical Implications for Believers Today • Steward rather than exploit: exercise authority with humility, knowing the earth is God’s property loaned to us. • Cultivate and conserve: agriculture, science, and industry are part of “subduing,” while care for creation reflects accountable dominion (Genesis 2:15). • Multiply godly influence: “be fruitful and multiply” includes raising generations who acknowledge God’s ownership and fulfill His purposes. • Worshipful work: daily labor becomes an act of obedience, aligning with Psalm 115:1—“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory.” Final Takeaways • Genesis 1:28 gives the original commission; Psalm 115:16 confirms its ongoing validity. • Dominion is a literal, God-ordained stewardship, not self-centered control. • Rightly practiced, dominion honors the Creator, blesses creation, and prepares us for future accountability before the Lord. |
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