By Rony Kozman, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, Samford University
The Purpose of Humanity
Genesis 1:1–5, 26–31
How should we live? To answer this question, we need to know what we are.
What is human nature? And at the heart of human nature is this question: What are humans for? What is our purpose?
If we know an object’s purpose, we know how to use it.
We know what to do — and what not to do — with a screwdriver
because we know its purpose.
It was made to screw screws, not to hammer nails. Using a screwdriver to hammer nails damages the screwdriver.
So also, we can know how to live in the world, if we know our purpose.
Genesis 1 tells us the purpose for which we were created. But before we look at our purpose, let’s consider Who made us.
God created everything. (1:1–5)
The God of Israel created the heavens and the earth.
God the Father made all things through His word (i.e., the Son of God; John 1:1–3) and Spirit.
Genesis 1 repeatedly tells us that God created by His speech (vv. 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26).
God is the great King of creation. He is the great Sovereign and Ruler whose decrees — whose Word — is wise, powerful and effective.
As the King of creation, God brought order out of the chaotic deep (v. 2). By His decree, He brought light into the darkness (vv. 3–4), and He filled the world with life (vv. 11–13, 20–28).
God is the Creator and King who subdued the chaotic deep and made the world a place for flourishing life. The climax of the King’s creation are humans whom He made in His image.
God created us in His image. (1:26–31)
What does it mean that God made us “in His image” and “according to His likeness” (vv. 26–27)?
In the ancient context, the image of a deity may refer to the king who ruled on behalf of the deity.
It also could refer to the statue a king sets up when he defeats an area and subjugates it to himself.
After God makes humans in His image and commands them to fill the earth (v. 28), He tells them to “subdue” the earth and “to rule” over the creatures that God made (vv. 26, 28).
God made us all, both male and female, to be representatives of the great King and Creator of the world.
And God has tasked us with advancing His kingdom and to reign throughout the world.
How do we do this great task?
We are to rule creation in a way that reflects God’s reign and character — God’s love and righteousness — since we rule on His behalf.
How do we know how to rule creation on God’s behalf?
When God made Adam, He placed him in Eden (Gen. 2:7–8), a sacred space, the special place where God’s presence dwells.
Adam’s role is “to serve” and “to keep” the sacred place (2:15) just as Israel’s tabernacle (and later, God’s temple) is the space that the priests tend (e.g., Num. 3:7–8).
We are to tend to God’s presence and know God’s commandment and wisdom (2:15–17).
We are to listen to His word and wisdom, and we are to love God and be faithful to Him. Our role fuels how we advance God’s kingdom.
Just as God’s kingly rule over creation brought about creation’s flourishing and order, we likewise are to rule creation and treat each other in a way that leads to flourishing and life.
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