Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground. Genesis 1:28
While on vacation, my husband and I walked along the beach and noticed a large, square patch of sand blocked off by a makeshift fence. A young man explained that he worked around the clock with a team of volunteers committed to guarding the eggs in each sea turtle’s nest. Once the hatchlings emerge from their nest, the presence of both animals and humans threaten and decrease their chance of survival. “Even with all our efforts,” he said, “scientists estimate that only one out of every five thousand hatchlings reach adulthood.” These bleak numbers didn’t discourage this young man, however. His passion for selflessly serving the hatchlings deepened my desire for respecting and protecting sea turtles. Now I wear a sea turtle pendant that reminds me of my God-given responsibility to care for the creatures He’s made.
When God created the world, He provided a habitat in which each creature could live and thrive (Genesis 1:20–25). When He created His image-bearers, God intended for us to “rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground” (v. 26). He helps us serve Him as responsible stewards who use our God-given authority to care for His vast creation.
Read:Genesis 1:20-21, 24-28 (NIV)
20 And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures,z and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.”a 21 So God createdb the great creatures of the seac and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it,d according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind.e And God saw that it was good.f
24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creaturesi according to their kinds:j the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so.k 25 God made the wild animalsl according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds.m And God saw that it was good.n
26 Then God said, “Let uso make mankindp in our image,q in our likeness,r so that they may rules over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky,t over the livestock and all the wild animals,a and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God createdu mankindv in his own image,w
in the image of Godx he created them;
male and femaley he created them.z
28 God blessed them and said to them,a “Be fruitful and increase in number;b fill the earthc and subdue it. Rule overd the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.e”
INSIGHT
- In what ways have you cared for God’s creation?
- How can you become a better steward of it this week?
In Genesis 1:28, God commissioned human beings with the task of caring for His creation. But we’ve turned away from worshiping the Creator and have worshiped the creation instead. The apostle Paul noted that even though humanity “knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21). As a result, they worshiped images of humans and animals instead of God (vv. 22–23). Stewardship of creation is ordained by God. Worship of that creation instead of the Creator is an affront to Him.
PRAYER
Loving Creator and Sustainer of all, please show me tangible ways I can fulfill my responsibility as a steward of Your creation and inspire others to care for the world You’ve entrusted to us. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Genesis 1:20-21, 24-28 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Psalm 66-67 ; Romans 7
