GOD’S WORD OF DOMINION

“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them HAVE DOMINION over…” – Genesis 1: 26a

Human creation was preceded and is being sustained by GOD’S WORD of DOMINION: “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them HAVE DOMINION OVER the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth” (Gen.1:26). On the sixth day of creation, God finished His work by creating human beings as His image bearers. However, the Story of creation went on to describe in detail the blessing of God upon the human race, one that helps us to understand what it means to be in the image of God: Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; HAVE DOMINION over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (v.28).

This blessing includes the command to subdue the earth and the mandate to have dominion over “every living thing.” The Ruler of the Universe found it fitting to have men and women alike serve as His vice-regents over creation. This implies that to be in the image of God is to share His leadership attributes, such as lordship, and to reflect His character. Unfortunately, humanity’s ability to mirror God’s perfections has been severely compromised by the fall into sin. As we look all around us we see that humankind still follows the God-given drive to have dominion, but in a perverted form: he has perverted that intent from a reign of servant-leadership to tyranny (Mt.20: 20-28). People oppress themselves in the guise of dominion.

Nations war against nations instead of working together to multiply and share resources. We are to reflect God’s holiness as we subdue the earth for His glory. We are called to reflect the character of God’s righteous rule over the universe. The Creator and Sustainer of all things never ravages or exploits what He rules, but rather reigns in righteousness and justice: “Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment” (Isa.32:1). The goal of our Father-God – the King of kings – is that we manifest His righteous rule, as kings and priests, over all of creation.

'Dominion’ is a vocabulary of royalty, a language of authority, a Kingdom word! No kingdom; no king. No king; no dominion. Kingdom is the King’s domain: the area or territory over which the king has and exercises authority. Dominion is the exercise of a king’s authority within his domain. Dominion is the function or the work of a king – the king’s occupation. Dominion is not domination: dominion derives from a commission; domination is about competition, subjection, and subjugation!

As we reproduce and fill the earth, we who believe ae divinely ordained to represent the Sovereign Creator to His creation. This responsibility was not abrogated by Adam’s sin: “So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth” (9:1). Indeed, the Mandate of Dominion was awakened and restored through Christ’s Mission of Redemption: “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” (Mt.28: 18-19a). The gears of multiplication, fruitfulness, and dominion have shifted to higher dimensions, transcending physical replenishment and biological reproduction into the spiritual realms!

Today we are called to raise godly biological children and disciple spiritual children and all of God’s people, so the earth might be filled with redeemed image-bearers who wisely and justly manifest the Lord’s sovereign holiness. Taking dominion also means endeavouring to use our gifts, talents, and vocations in every discipline in order to bring glory to God.