CRITICAL NOTES.—
Genesis 1:26. Man] Heb. ’âdhâm (Adam). The reader of the Heb. can scarcely resist the impression that a close connection was meant to be seen between ’âdhâm “man,” and, adhâmâh “earth,” “ground.” Guided by this, and by 1 Corinthians 15:47, we cannot doubt that “earth-born” (Kalisch) rather than “red,” “ruddy” (Ges. “perh”) gives the rad. conception of the word. Dominion] The orig., radhah, signifies to lay low, overthrow, tread down; hence subdue, rule.
Genesis 1:28. Replenish] Simply “fill,” therefore, supporting no inference that the earth had previously been filled, and was afterwards emptied, wh. may or may not have been the case.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 1:21-28
THE CREATION OF MAN
I. That the Creation of Man was preceded by a Divine consultation. “And God said, Let us make man,” &c.
1. This consultation was Divine. It was a consultation held by the three Persons of the ever Blessed Trinity, who were one in the creative work. We are not now listening to the voice of angels; they cannot create an atom, much less a man. They were themselves created. But now the Uncreated Ones are contemplating the existence of man, to give completion and meaning to their previous work. Man is the explanation of the universe.
2. This consultation was solemn. The light, the waters and dry land, the heavenly bodies, and the brute world, had all heard the voice of God, and obeyed it. But no consultation had been held prior to their entrance into the world. Why? because they were matter; dumb, and impotent. But now is to be created a Being endowed with mind and volition, capable even of rebellion against his Creator. There must be a pause before such a being is made. The project must be considered. The probable issue must be calculated. His relation to heaven and earth must be contemplated. It is a solemn event. The world is to have an intelligent occupant, the first of a race, endowed with superior power and influence over the future of humanity. In him terrestrial life will reach its perfection; in him Deity will find the child of its solicitude; in him the universe will centre its mystery. Truly this is the most solemn moment of time, the occasion is worthy the council chambers of eternity.
3. This consultation was happy. The Divine Being had not yet given out, in the creative work, the highest thought of His mind; He had not yet found outlet for the larger sympathies of His heart in the universe He had just made and welcomed into being. The light could not utter all His beneficence. The waters could not articulate all His power. The stars did but whisper His name But the being of man is vocal with God, as is no other created object. He is a revelation of his Maker in a very high degree. In him the Divine thought and sympathy found welcome outlet. The creation of man was also happy in its bearing toward the external universe. The world is finished. It is almost silent. There is only the voice of the animal creation to break its stillness. But man steps forth into the desolate home. He can sing a hymn—he can offer a prayer—he can commune with God—he can occupy the tenantless house. Hence the council that contemplated his creation would be happy.
II. That man was created in the image of God. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Man was originally God-like, with certain limitations. In what respect was man created after the image of God?—
1. In respect to his intelligence. God is the Supreme Mind. He is the Infinite Intelligence. Man is like Him in that he also is gifted with mind and intelligence; he is capable of thought. But the human intelligence, in comparison with the Divine, is but as a spark in comparison with the fontal source of light. The great Thinkers of the age are a proof of the glory of the human intellect.
2. In respect to his moral nature. Man is made after the image of God, in righteousness and true holiness. He was made with a benevolent disposition, with happy and prayerful spirit, and with a longing desire to promote the general good of the universe; in these respects he was like God, who is infinitely pure, Divinely happy in His life, and in deep sympathy with all who are within the circle of His Being.
3. In respect to his dominion. God is the Supreme Ruler of all things in heaven and in earth. Both angels and men are His subjects. Material Nature is part of His realm, and is under His authority. In this respect, man is made in the image of God. He is the king of this world. The brute creation is subject to his sway. Material forces are largely under his command. Man is the deity of the inferior creation. He holds a sceptre that has been Divinely placed in his hand.
4. In respect to his immortality. God is eternal. He is immortal. Man partakes of the Divine immortality. Man, having commenced the race of being, will run toward a goal he can never reach. God, angels and men are the only immortalities of which we are cognizant. What an awful thing is life.
5. In respect to the power of creatorship. Man has, within certain limits, the power of creatorship. He can design new patterns of work. He can induce new combinations, and from them can evoke results hitherto unknown. By the good use of certain materials, he can make many wonderful and useful things calculated to enhance the welfare of mankind. Think of the inventive and productive genius of George Stevenson, and others who have enriched society by their scientific or mechanical labours. There is in all this—though it falls far short of Creation—a something that marks man as in the image of God.
III. That the creation of man in the Divine image is a fact well attested. “So God created man in his own image” (Genesis 1:27). This perfection of primeval manhood is not the fanciful creation of artistic genius—it is not the dream of poetic imagination—it is not the figment of a speculative philosophy; but it is the calm statement of Scripture.
1. It is attested by the intention and statement of the Creator. It was the intention of God to make man after His own image, and the workman generally follows out the motive with which he commences his toil. And we have the statement of Scripture that He did so in this instance. True, the image was soon marred and broken, which could not have been the case had it not previously existed. How glorious must man have been in his original condition.
2. It is attested by the very fall of man. How wonderful are the capabilities of even our fallen manhood. The splendid ruins are proof that once they were a magnificent edifice. What achievements are made by the intellect of man—what loving sympathies are given out from his heart—what prayers arise from his soul—of what noble activities is he capable; these are tokens of fallen greatness, for the being of the most splendid manhood is but the rubbish of an Adam. Man must have been made in the image of God, or the grandeur of his moral ruin is inexplicable. Learn:—
1. The dignity of man’s nature.
2. The greatness of man’s fall.
3. The glory of man’s recovery by Christ.
WHAT IS THE IMAGE OF GOD IN WHICH MAN WAS CREATED?
I. Negatively. Let us see wherein the image of God in man does NOT consist. Some, for instance, the Socinians, maintain that it consists in that power and dominion that God gave Adam over the creatures. True, man was vouched God’s immediate deputy upon earth, the viceroy of the Creation. But that this power and dominion is not adequately and completely the image of God is clear from two considerations:—
1. Then he that had most power and dominion would have most of God’s image, and consequently Nimrod had more of it than Noah, Saul than Samuel, Cæsar than Christ—which is a blasphemous paradox.
2. Self-denial and humility will make us unlike.
II. Positively. Let us see wherein the image of God in man DOES consist. It is that universal rectitude of all the faculties of the soul—by which they stand, act, and dispose their respective offices and operations, which will be more fully set forth by taking a distinct survey of it in the several faculties belonging to the soul; in the understanding, in the will, in the passions or affections.
1. In the understanding. At its first creation it was sublime, clear, and inspiring. It was the leading faculty. There is as much difference between the clear representations of the understanding then, and the obscure discoveries that it makes now, as there is between the prospect of landscape from a casement, and from a keyhole. This image was apparent:—(i.) In the understanding speculative. (ii.) In the practical understanding.
2. In the will. The will of man in the state of innocence had an entire freedom to accept or not the temptation. The will then was ductile and pliant to all the motions of right reason. It is in the nature of the will to follow a superior guide—to be drawn by the intellect. But then it was subordinate, not enslaved; not as a servant to a master, but as a queen to her king, who both acknowledges her subjection and yet retains her majesty.
3. In the passion. Love. Now, this affection in the state of innocence, was happily pitched upon its right object; it flamad up in direct fervours of devotion to God, and in collateral emissions of charity to its neighbour. Hatred. It was then like aloes, bitter, but wholesome. Anger. Joy. Sorrow. Hope. Fear. The use of this point—that man was created in the image of God—might be various; but it shall be twofold:—(i.) To remind us of the irreparable loss we have sustained by sin. (ii) To teach us the excellency of the Christian religion [Robert South, D.D.]
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Genesis 1:26. Man God’s last work:—
1. Then man is God’s greatest care.
2. Then let man give him the best service.
God has provided all things needful for man’s supply.
Works that are important ought to be undertaken with counsel:—
1. We see not all things.
2. Others are willling to help us.
3. The welfare of others may be concerned in our actions.
Man hath no maker but God alone:—
1. Then let us praise Him alone.
2. Let us serve Him entirely.
3. Let us seek to know Him fully.
God’s image in man is his greatest glory:—
1. Not his ancestry.
2. Not his wealth.
3. Not his fame.
God hath advanced man to have dominion over all the works of His hands:—
1. To enjoy the benefit of them.
2. To take care of them.
3. To make a good use of them.
4. To live superior to them.
Man’s dominion is God’s free gift:—
1. Therefore we are to recognise God’s authority in its use.
2. Remember that we are only stewards.
3. Be thankful for our kingship.
God hath made Himself known in trinity of relation, as well as unity of being from the beginning.
God the Father, Son, and Spirit, put forth wisdom, power, and goodness, eminently in making man.
Man in his first estate was a creature bearing the most exact image of God’s rectitude.
The image of God in man was made and created, not begotten, as in the Eternal Son.
Made, in this image, was the best of terrestial creatures, for whom all the rest were made.
The image of God resting upon man did fit him to rule over all the creatures subjected.
Genesis 1:27-28. Male and female are the ordination of God.
It is by God’s blessing that man must be sustained, as well as by His power that he was created.
God will have men to understand the blessings He gives them.
God can easily bring multitudes out of one.
All men and nations in the world are of one blood, and have one Father.
Man:—
1. He has to replenish the earth.
2. To subdue it.
3. To rule it.
Those who have possessions in the earth must use and husband them, that they may be useful and fruitful.
All the creatures of the earth are the servants of man by the appointment of God.