God’s Creation of Humankind
God’s creation of the universe reaches its climax in the creation of human beings. Everything in the previous days of the creation week of Genesis 1 was in preparation for God’s greatest creature—humans.
The creation of humans is special for a number of reasons.
First, God, as it were, consulted within Himself as He made man. Instead of saying, “Let there be a man,” He said, “Let us make man” (Genesis 1:26).
Second, the Bible gives an extended description of the creation of both man and woman, something it does not do with respect to the creation of animals, for example. It is clear from Scripture that the human being is not another animal. Genesis 2:7 describes the creation of man: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.” Clearly, then, humans are of the earth, but they also have a spiritual dimension. They are unlike any other creature in this respect. Indeed, only humans have the capacity to know God, their Creator.
Third, God cares about the first man in a very special manner. He determines, in view of the fact that “it is not good that the man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18), to make him a suitable partner, namely, the first woman, Eve. God carefully forms Eve. “And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept, and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof. And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man” (Genesis 2:21-22).
Fourth, God planted a beautiful garden called “Eden,” in which Adam and Eve lived. In that garden, which was a picture of the heavenly paradise, Adam and Eve were free to serve God. They were even given dominion over all the other creatures of God. Adam was the king of God’s earthly creation.
Fifth, and most importantly, God created the first humans in His image: “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them” (Genesis 1:27). That is such an important truth that we will take some time to explain it.
With so much care and attention lavished upon them, humans must have had importance. God desired to make a creature with whom He could fellowship, to whom He could show His blessedness.
Do you know this God, your Creator?