The Creation of Man: Genesis 1:26 – 2:20

In case you are wondering, I’m using a commentary on Genesis by Derek Kidner.  I really needed it today.  He points out an interesting turn of phrase in 1:26.  Here, God says “let us make man in our image, in our likeness…”(NIV).  This is interesting for a couple reasons.  First, notice that during the other creation days, God says things like, “let there be…,” “let the water…be…,” “let the water teem…,” and “let the land produce…”.  These phrases are very different than the “let us make” of 1:26.  “Let us make” implies a greater closeness.  Unlike telling the water to teem with living creatures or the land to produce animals, God himself will make man.  And not only will he make man, but he will make man in His image for the purpose of ruling the earth.  Kidner points out that man is a new and unique creation; both part of the created world, but also created in the likeness of God.

In verses 29-30, God gives all of his creatures plants as food.  Once again, God is depicted as caring, and provisional.  All creation depends upon His good gifts.  Kidner suggests that we do not assume God created all things as herbivores.  Instead, it is widely recognized that all things ultimately derive sustenance from plants.  Whether or not you agree with that, God is still seen as the ultimate provider and giver of good gifts. 

Verse 31 marks another change in the creation account.  After creating man (both male and female), God looks at all of his work and declares it “very good”.  Prior to this, God called the work of each day “good”.  I think there is a sense of completeness with the “very good”.  And this is appropriate since the next verse says “Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.” NIV).  The completeness of creation is marked by the seventh day of creation.  Here God ceases from the work of creating.

Now that the author has established a creation account from a big picture point of view, the scene shifts to focus on the creation of man and woman and God’s early interaction with them.  Once again, we see an intimate picture of God forming mankind and lavishly caring for them.  The depiction of a lush garden with beautiful trees and delicious fruit is nothing short of drool-worthy.  But this idyllic setting is not a place for laziness.  God intended man to take care of the land (2:15), to know the animals, and to name them (2:19-20).