#78 In God’s Image: Power and Duality Gen. 1:26-27
The first reference to our being made in the image of God occurs in Genesis 1:26-27. Which reads, “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:26-27). In these verses there are several claims. First that this likeness carries with it a claim to power over other creatures. Secondly there is a duality to the claim male and female.
When God created the first humans in the image of God he uses the phrase “Our image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). By this we may recognize that to be in the image of God is not simply looking like God but may also mean to have our nature carved into a shape like God. That when looking at the whole being you may see the likeness of God. Not simply in pictorial likeness, but also likeness of character and action. This is similar to the popular saying like father like son. Which is about more than looks.
Our likeness to God carries power and authority. When God creates He also names. When a creator names something he places a claim on that thing. When a father names a son he is saying you are mine. Consider, “and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth” (Genesis 1:27). In the process of creating humanity God gives us power to rule over lesser creatures. This power reflects God’s power to rule over all creatures which are beneath Him.
God created humanity with a duality, “male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). This duality of sexes reflects the nature of God in that there is both masculine and feminine characteristics of God. Furthermore God expresses Himself as Triune, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
