Repeated terms:
(1) seed-bearing fruits v.11, 29 (God's provision of food v.29,30)
We see the master plan of God. He first created the food (vegetation) on day 3, then the animals and mankind who consumed them as food. Our source of food is secure because they were created with the reproduction mechanism in them.
Reflection: Good always provides us from the beginning of the world until now, because He cares about us. No need to be worry.
(2) To multiple and fill v.22, 28 (God's command to creation)
a. God made the sun and moon to give light and shine on the earth v.17.
b. God made the water creatures swarmed the water v.20-21. They fill the water and the birds multiple on the earth v.22. Finally, mankind has the same command v.28. Note: the commands to multiple come with the blessing in both v.22 and v.28 ("God blessed and said...") NET, the verb “bless” here means “to endow with the capacity to reproduce and be fruitful,” as the following context indicates. As in v. 22, the statement directly precedes the command “be fruitful and multiply.” The verb carries this same nuance in Gen 17:16 (where God’s blessing of Sarai imparts to her the capacity to bear a child); Gen 48:16 (where God’s blessing of Joseph’s sons is closely associated with their having numerous descendants); and Deut 7:13 (where God’s blessing is associated with fertility in general, including numerous descendants). See also Gen 49:25 (where Jacob uses the noun derivative in referring to “blessings of the breast and womb,” an obvious reference to fertility) and Gen 27:27 (where the verb is used of a field to which God has given the capacity to produce vegetation).
In other words, God gave the command but He also provides us with the mean to finish the commands. But,why everything need to have so many and fill up the earth?
(3) Rulership (God's purpose of creation are stated)
The sun and moon were created to rule/preside over the day and the night v.16 and 18, humankind rule over the animals v.26, 28, humankind subdue the earth v.28
What does "ruling" mean? How does it relate to the reason why everything has to be so many?
a. The sun and moon shine light to all over the earth so that they can manage all the creatures by giving us light. The length of time of light is different in different seasons so that the flowers bloom in spring and die in fall, etc.
b. Mankind is created in the image of God to rule over all the animals. We can do it by having the likeness/image of God (not externally, but we have the authority just like God has the authority). The multiplication in numbers of mankind help to share the load of rulership v.28. "Subdue" in v.28 means.. (NET)in an ancient Israelite context this would suggest cultivating its fields, mining its mineral riches, using its trees for construction, and domesticating its animals.
Reflection: God gave all His creatures a purpose. In other to fulfill that purpose He also gave us the means to do that (to multiple and fruitful). The means to fulfill our purpose is in obedient to the command. In other words, we are designed as an obedient being. We are not supposed to live as an autonomous entity to have a purposeful life. How do we do in our obedience to God?
Audrey
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