Gen 1:26-27 | KingComments | STEP | Also on the sixth day God speaks twice. The creation of man is introduced in a special way and explained in a special way. We hear the special introduction in the words “let Us make man”. It means that there has been consultation in God. The word “Us” indicates that God is triune. The special explanation is that God creates man “in Our image, according to Our likeness”. We see the image of God in the position that man occupies as the head of creation: he is God’s representative in it. The likeness of God is expressed in man’s actions : he acts with insight into creation. Because of this high place of man we are called to honor all people ( ; ), even though man has fallen into such decay by sin and is sometimes compared to an unreasoning animal ( ; ). God creates man “male and female” ( ; ; ; ). There is, so to speak, a male and a female variant of man. God has created one man, and this man is, as it were, a two-unity. Modern man makes frantic efforts to erase the distinction, but that is downright folly. For the difference between man and woman, the attack on it and the rebuttal by means of the Word of God, see the booklet ‘Sexuality, a gift from God. Part 1’ on https://www.oudesporen.nl/Download/OS1021.pdf .] “God blessed them” by saying to man that he may fill the earth and subdue it. This blessing is more than giving the strength to be fruitful and to become numerous, as has been said of sea animals and birds ( ). It is also the power over the earth and all animals.

‏ Genesis 1:26-27

The Sixth Day: Man

Also on the sixth day God speaks twice. The creation of man is introduced in a special way and explained in a special way. We hear the special introduction in the words “let Us make man”. It means that there has been consultation in God. The word “Us” indicates that God is triune.

The special explanation is that God creates man “in Our image, according to Our likeness”. We see the image of God in the position that man occupies as the head of creation: he is God’s representative in it. The likeness of God is expressed in man’s actions: he acts with insight into creation. Because of this high place of man we are called to honor all people (1Pet 2:17; Jam 3:9), even though man has fallen into such decay by sin and is sometimes compared to an unreasoning animal (Jude 1:10; 2Pet 2:12).

God creates man “male and female” (Gen 1:27b; Gen 5:2; Mt 19:4; Mk 10:6). There is, so to speak, a male and a female variant of man. God has created one man, and this man is, as it were, a two-unity. Modern man makes frantic efforts to erase the distinction, but that is downright folly.

For the difference between man and woman, the attack on it and the rebuttal by means of the Word of God, see the booklet ‘Sexuality, a gift from God. Part 1’ on https://www.oudesporen.nl/Download/OS1021.pdf.]

“God blessed them” by saying to man that he may fill the earth and subdue it. This blessing is more than giving the strength to be fruitful and to become numerous, as has been said of sea animals and birds (Gen 1:22). It is also the power over the earth and all animals.