If you have not taken the time to read the first book in the Bible... Genesis, you should. The Book of Genesis, is generally held to be an accurate account of early world history, including the creation of all things by a personal, transcendent, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, Creator God. This was the worldview held by many of the founding fathers of our modern scientific disciplines.
In fact, the first two chapters of Genesis really sets forth a perfect plan, that to this day, is the best plan for finding happiness in human life. The first two chapters contain many truths about God’s intended relationship between Himself and humanity. He presents a picture of His intentions for those relationships, and He reveals His will for humanity.
Created in God’s Likeness. God said to His Son, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1: 26). Unlike anything else in all Creation, people were created in the likeness of God. So, what is God like? “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) The Bible teaches that people are to love as God loved: unselfishly, sacrificially. This is what it means to have been created in God’s likeness. Here are the six cornerstones of God’s perfect plan for humanity.
Direct Contact with Man. In Genesis 1, God spoke all created things into existence, except for man. God had direct contact with man when He created Adam... it was deeply personal and intimate. “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7)
From the very beginning, God wanted to have a relationship with human kind. It is apparent that while Adam and Eve were in the garden, God was in close communion with the couple. “And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” (Genesis 3:8) Even after Adam and Eve fell into sin.. God’s love shines forth as He reveals a master plan to restore His relationship with humanity. (Genesis 3:15) That master plan of restoration is the focus and theme of the entire Bible.
God Instituted Marriage between a Man and a Woman. “God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.” (Genesis 1:28) A loving relationship between a man and woman and their children is fulfillment of God’s plan for humanity’s best good.
Man’s Relationship to the Rest of Creation. “God said unto them…replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” God put the man and woman in charge of His creation. It was not His intention that humanity use up the earth’s resources and destroy it. (See Revelation 11:18.) People were set as stewards of creation, to care for the earth in God’s place.
God’s Culinary Design. God gave Adam and Eve the very best food to ensure their optimal health. “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” (Genesis 1:29) Think of it... figs, dates, apples, pears, oranges, almonds, walnuts, avocados, flax seed... fruits and nuts and veggies of all kinds. Not a single ribeye, recipe for barbeque ribs, no fried foods, baked or pickled anything. Just the natural produce of a perfect creation. Interestingly, today science is showing that a plant-based diet is best for promoting longevity and good health.
God designed the Weekend. “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.” Genesis 2:3 God created the Sabbath to ensure that people would have time for worship and renewal. It would be a time for humanity to reflect upon the goodness of their Creator God. Since it was instituted at Creation, it was given to all of humanity, not just the Jews, who came much later. The institution of the Sabbath also predates the Ten Commandments. In addition, God’s special anointing of the Sabbath was specific to the seventh day.
Everything God did in the first two chapters, was “declared good and blessed”. Nothing He created was flawed, substandard, below average, or would ever be in need of repair. He created a perfect plan, a perfect home and a perfect future for mankind... His crowning creative achievement. Everything was in perfect balance and harmony.
Even though chapter three introduces “the fall of man” and the consequences for all humanity that still plague us to this day... it’s still reasonable that God’s original plan for humanity is still the best. His will for His people is still optimal health and happiness. (Malachi 3:6) One day... it will be eternal health and everlasting happiness.
