Genesis 1: 28-31

6^th Day continued…

God blessed them and God said to them “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule…

Now God is blessing mankind to be fruitful and multiply and rule…His blessing is given by His voice – His proclamation/declaration.

Normally when we think of the word “blessing” we think of prayers that we recite to God, or over one another.  In the Jewish tradition there are blessings for nearly everything in life.  There are blessings upon arising, when bathing, morning, mid-day and evening blessings, bedtime blessings, blessings over food, over different types of food, wine, before studying Torah, various Sabbath and other holy day blessings; blessings for salvation, when offering praise, for getting your focus, setting your attitude, fighting against evil; the list goes on and on.

It’s no surprise that the Apostle Paul tells us to pray unceasingly. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) God knows we need His help for everything we do in our lives. But is that really what blessing is all about?

According to these first two mentions of “blessing” in Scripture – God is the one doing the blessing and it’s all related to being fruitful and multiplying.

Perhaps the human way of looking at blessing is related to that.  Blessing refocuses our eyes on God. When we bless things or each other it’s saying that we’re looking to God to be involved in our lives; and it’s directing those with us to God. In that way we’re actively discipling them by modeling to them that our focus is on the Lord in that instant.  When discipling them we are being fruitful and multiplying, spiritually. Maybe that’s what God was teaching us when He first blessed mankind in the Garden of Eden. We’re to be actively going and making disciples; and looking to God’s blessing to be able to do that.

How can you apply this to your own life?

How can you help people understand that blessings aren’t just some dead religious act?

God also said, “Look, I have given you… food”

God also wanted us to know that He is the Provider.  In His wisdom, love and care He provides the things we need to nourish and sustain us (and all creation.) He knows what we need and He provides for it.

Whenever I sit down to eat a yummy meal I not only thank God for the food in front of me, I thank Him for the taste buds to enjoy it. What a loving Father He is to have given us taste buds. He’s the giver of good gifts!

When have you doubted God’s desire or ability to provide for you in your life?  What were the ramifications?

God saw all that He had made….

Imagine God seeing all that He had made.  What any amazing ability to see everything in creation all at once!  That’s the perspective of our God.  He is all-knowing and all-seeing!

Try to imagine God seeing everything all at once; all the animals, birds, sea creatures, insects, trees, plants, etc… God also saw you and everything pertaining to your life from His vantage point in eternity.

How does that make you feel?

….and it was very good.

This is the first time God declares creation as “very good.”  Perhaps that’s because now He’s finished His work and sees all of it intrinsically connected and working together.

Again, He acknowledges its goodness, which is a reflection of His goodness. The vast complexity and interworking of His creation may be reflecting the vastness of His own beauty and splendor.

What do you think about that?

Why do you think it’s important to remember that what God has created is very good?

What impact does that have on our ability to rule?