Topical Bible: Man: God's Purpose in Creation Completed by Making

◄ Man: God's Purpose in Creation Completed by Making ►

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In the biblical narrative, the creation of man is presented as the culmination of God's creative work, reflecting His divine purpose and intention. The account of man's creation is found in the Book of Genesis, where it is described as a deliberate and distinct act by God, setting humanity apart from the rest of creation.

Creation in the Image of God

Genesis 1:26-27 states, "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." This passage highlights the unique status of humanity, created in the image and likeness of God, which implies a special relationship with the Creator and a reflection of His attributes, such as rationality, morality, and the capacity for relationship.

Dominion and Stewardship

The mandate given to humanity to "rule over" the earth signifies a role of stewardship and responsibility. This dominion is not one of exploitation but of care and management, reflecting God's sovereign rule over creation. Psalm 8:6 echoes this theme: "You made him ruler of the works of Your hands; You have placed everything under his feet." Humanity's role is to govern the earth in a way that honors God and sustains His creation.

The Completion of Creation

The creation of man is depicted as the final act in the creation week, marking the completion of God's creative work. Genesis 2:1-2 states, "Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work." The creation of man is integral to this completion, as humanity is intended to inhabit and cultivate the earth, fulfilling God's purpose for creation.

Purpose and Relationship

The creation of man also underscores the purpose of relationship. Genesis 2:18 reveals God's intention for human companionship: "The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'" This led to the creation of woman, establishing the foundational human relationship of marriage and family, which reflects the communal nature of the Godhead.

Fall and Redemption

While the creation of man was perfect, the subsequent fall introduced sin and brokenness into the world. However, God's purpose for humanity remains, as seen in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Romans 5:18-19 explains, "So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." Through Christ, the image of God in humanity is restored, and the original purpose is fulfilled.

Eternal Significance

The creation of man holds eternal significance, as humanity is destined for eternal fellowship with God. Revelation 21:3 proclaims, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.'" This ultimate fulfillment of God's purpose in creation is realized in the new heaven and new earth, where redeemed humanity will dwell with God forever.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 2:5,7
And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Conformed to the Image of Christ
... within us, and "subdue all things unto himself." "Therefore if any man be in ... in us,
and not by our working in ourselves, that this purpose of God in our ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 16 conformed to the.htm

The Christian's Book
... Every Bible book can be considered and its plan and purpose shown in ... ever increasing,
because it comes with a message from God direct to the heart of man. ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study vi the christians book.htm

God's Fellow-Workers
... original application of the text is not exactly that which I purpose to make ... into
their lives shall 'summer high upon the hills of God.' One man, like Paul ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/gods fellow-workers.htm

Chapter ii
... we have a "not good" of incompleteness, where the supplying of the deficiency lay
in the original purpose of the ... God did not create man an unsocial being ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter ii.htm

Author's Preface.
... Noah God's chosen man. ... Purpose of the Mosaic Law. ... Dr. Tidwell accepts, without question,
the inspiration and authoritativeness of the Bible as the Word of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tidwell/the bible period by period/authors preface.htm

Arrangement and Furniture of the Church
... main profession or business of a Christian man, and the ... Both are "God's most holy
Word," and taking the Lessons ... to see the unity of thought and purpose in the ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/arrangement and furniture of the.htm

His Name --The Counsellor
... a doctrine I believe to please any man that walks ... was the predestination of those
whom God had determined ... being predestinated according to the purpose of him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/his namethe counsellor.htm

Measureless Power and Endless Glory
... ever true and solemn one, without which life is nought"'Man's chief end is to glorify
God.'. And we can only fulfil that high purpose in the measure of ...
/.../measureless power and endless glory.htm

John and the Gospel of Love.
... a man, but by an abiding, personal union with man. ... It was written for the purpose
that the readers may ... Christ (the promised Messiah), the Son of God (in the ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section72 john and the gospel.htm

The Theology of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
... But if Christ is thus everything to man, humanity has also, in the
foreordained purpose of God, something to confer upon Christ. ...
/.../chapter ii the theology of st.htm