contributed by Darrell Nichols, elder and pastor of education
The Sixth Day, Part 2
Genesis 1:24-31
(24) And God said, Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds. And it was so. (25) And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (26) Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. (27) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (28) And God blessed them. And God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth. (29) And God said, Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. (30) And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food. And it was so. (31) And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. (ESV)
God created plant life on Day 3 (verse 11) and marine life and avian life on Day 5 (verse 20). As we saw in the last blog, God began Day 6 by creating animal life (verses 24-25). He will complete this day by creating human life.
Animals and humans are not the same. This is an important fact to keep in mind as we continue our study of Day Six. The concept that “animals are people too” is a growing trend in some circles of our society. Nevertheless, the biblical truth is that animals are not human and humans are not animals. They are two separate creations. Just as on Day Five, there were also two major creations on Day Six. God created animals (verses 24-25) and then God created humans (verses 26-31). Many secular scientists and their followers would have us group animals and humans together as if they are of the same kind. That is an evolutionary view. Others choose to believe what the Bible teaches. According to God’s Word, it is error to believe (or teach) that animals and humans are in the same creative category. They were created on the same day but are two distinct entities. Animals and humans do not fit in the same category simply because animals and humans are not the same.
Animals and humans are not the same. This is an important fact to keep in mind as we continue our study of Day Six. The concept that “animals are people too” is a growing trend in some circles of our society. Nevertheless, the biblical truth is that animals are not human and humans are not animals. They are two separate creations. Just as on Day Five, there were also two major creations on Day Six. God created animals (verses 24-25) and then God created humans (verses 26-31). Many secular scientists and their followers would have us group animals and humans together as if they are of the same kind. That is an evolutionary view. Others choose to believe what the Bible teaches. According to God’s Word, it is error to believe (or teach) that animals and humans are in the same creative category. They were created on the same day but are two distinct entities. Animals and humans do not fit in the same category simply because animals and humans are not the same.
Biblically speaking, therefore, it would not be good for us to refer to our pet dog or pet cat as a “person.” He or she is an animal, not a human “individual.” They are pets to be sure. And God gave them to us for our enjoyment. But biologically and/or biblically, they are not people. As an example, we call a newborn dog a pup or puppy. It is incorrect to call them a “son” or “daughter” of their mother. Why? Because a dog is not a “person.” When cats are born, we call the newborns kittens. It is incorrect to call them “sons” or “daughters.” Why? Because cats are not people. This biblical truth also applies to wildlife. When bears give birth, the newborn is called a male or female cub, not a “son” or “daughter.” Sons and daughters are human relationships, not animal relationships.
The reader may be wondering if this is really all that big a deal. Short answer—yes. Here’s why…
When we refer to our household pets or to wildlife as if they are on the same relational level as people, we give an affirmative nod to evolutionary philosophies that are outside the scope of biblical teaching. According to the Scriptures, God designed and created animals and humans to be definitively different from one another. 1 Corinthians 15:39 – “For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.”
The reader may be wondering if this is really all that big a deal. Short answer—yes. Here’s why…
When we refer to our household pets or to wildlife as if they are on the same relational level as people, we give an affirmative nod to evolutionary philosophies that are outside the scope of biblical teaching. According to the Scriptures, God designed and created animals and humans to be definitively different from one another. 1 Corinthians 15:39 – “For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.”
Moving on in our study of Genesis 1:26: “And God said, let US make man in OUR image…” (emphasis mine). Who was God speaking to? Who is the “us” and “our” in this verse? Some believe God could have been speaking to the angels. But Scripture leaves us no record that God sought the counsel or help of angels to accomplish His creative plan. Further, there is no indication in Scripture that angels have creative powers. Based on His sovereignty, God did not need help from angels concerning creative know-how. Let’s not forget that angels are created beings and God is the One who created them!
So, who was God speaking to in verse 26? This may be the first direct reference to the Trinity! Was Father God speaking to the other members of the Godhead when He used those pronouns? I believe He was. Consider this for a moment. God the Father addresses God the Son and God the Holy Spirit about a given topic—and the Triune God now allows us to listen in! …Wow! What an amazing thought!
As we continue on in verse 26, check this out. “And God said, Let Us make man….” Have you ever wondered why humans were created last of all the creatures God created in Genesis One? At least two reasons come to mind: First, humans were created last so God would have a place suitable for them to dwell. Second, by creating mankind last, God eliminated the basis of any future thought that humans may have helped God in any way with creation.
As we have seen in our study of the first twenty-five verses of Genesis, Jehovah God did all the creating. It was HIS idea, HIS plan, HIS design and by HIS power. Angels, as mentioned earlier, did not do any creative work. Of course, humans had nothing to do with creation either. God did all the creating there was to do because only God can create! Check out Job 38:4. When God was pointing out Job’s attitude problem, God said, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.” God was reminding Job that God created the universe and that Job had no part in it. Creating humans last prevented humans from foolishly taking credit for any part of creation week, and settling forever any future question on the matter of who should receive glory for the creation of the world and all things in it.
After creating the animals, how long was it before God performed His second creative act of that sixth day? We do not know. What we do know is that the planet God created and prepared was now ready for mankind to take up residence. Still, the earth was devoid of humans. All of God’s previous creative acts had been accomplished. God was pleased with the “good” work He had done. Genesis 1:26 – “Then God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” God as Creator now declares the time is right to create once again—and hints in the verse that this upcoming creation will be His greatest masterpiece.
To be continued…
So, who was God speaking to in verse 26? This may be the first direct reference to the Trinity! Was Father God speaking to the other members of the Godhead when He used those pronouns? I believe He was. Consider this for a moment. God the Father addresses God the Son and God the Holy Spirit about a given topic—and the Triune God now allows us to listen in! …Wow! What an amazing thought!
As we continue on in verse 26, check this out. “And God said, Let Us make man….” Have you ever wondered why humans were created last of all the creatures God created in Genesis One? At least two reasons come to mind: First, humans were created last so God would have a place suitable for them to dwell. Second, by creating mankind last, God eliminated the basis of any future thought that humans may have helped God in any way with creation.
As we have seen in our study of the first twenty-five verses of Genesis, Jehovah God did all the creating. It was HIS idea, HIS plan, HIS design and by HIS power. Angels, as mentioned earlier, did not do any creative work. Of course, humans had nothing to do with creation either. God did all the creating there was to do because only God can create! Check out Job 38:4. When God was pointing out Job’s attitude problem, God said, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.” God was reminding Job that God created the universe and that Job had no part in it. Creating humans last prevented humans from foolishly taking credit for any part of creation week, and settling forever any future question on the matter of who should receive glory for the creation of the world and all things in it.
After creating the animals, how long was it before God performed His second creative act of that sixth day? We do not know. What we do know is that the planet God created and prepared was now ready for mankind to take up residence. Still, the earth was devoid of humans. All of God’s previous creative acts had been accomplished. God was pleased with the “good” work He had done. Genesis 1:26 – “Then God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” God as Creator now declares the time is right to create once again—and hints in the verse that this upcoming creation will be His greatest masterpiece.
To be continued…
Darrell Nichols is an Elder and Pastor of Education at commUNITY church in Muncie, IN.
He can be reached at darrell.nichols@beincommunity.com or on Twitter @_nichols_dimes
He can be reached at darrell.nichols@beincommunity.com or on Twitter @_nichols_dimes
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