What Was God's Original Command to Man? What was God's original command to man? If God wanted us for the worship of his glory, you would think that the very first command given would reflect that mission. God's first command to man was, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground (Gen. 1:28)." What does filling the earth and having dominion over the living things have to do with the worship of God's glory? First, God created two people, two worshippers. They would eventually have a child which would bring the total number of worshippers to three and the process would continue. God wanted to fill the earth with worshippers. God also wanted man to rule over the earth. This meant that God wanted man not only to fill the earth but civilize it. This command defines more of how God wants his name to be glorified. There are two parts in glorifying God: Worship and Service. We are not simply supposed to stand around worshipping God have no other purpose. We have been given tasks by God to carry out, this is service.
What was God's Original command to man? Fill the earth with worshippers and civilize the earth. Through this, God's Mission of glorifying his name, will be accomplished through Worship and Service.
Interact with Scripture/Questions1. Read Gen. 1:27-31. 2. Answer these questions from the Bible Passage on a sheet of paper:
How does the Original Mandate coincide with God's Mission, found in Eph 1:3-14?
Read Psalm 33.
How does the psalmist praise God? What does he say in his praise of him?
How is your worship different than the psalmist's?
What is God teaching about himself in Psalm 33?
3. As you pray, understand your special place in creation, you are not only made to worship God but to serve him also. Ask God to help you worship and serve him more effectively.
Scripture ReferencesGE 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. GE 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." GE 1:29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. [30] And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food." And it was so. GE 1:31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day.
Psalm 33
PS 33:1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
PS 33:2 Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
PS 33:3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
PS 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
PS 33:5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.
PS 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
PS 33:7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.
PS 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him.
PS 33:9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
PS 33:10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
PS 33:11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
PS 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.
PS 33:13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;
PS 33:14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth--
PS 33:15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.
PS 33:16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.
PS 33:17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.
PS 33:18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
PS 33:19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
PS 33:20 We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
PS 33:21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.
PS 33:22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.
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