In Our Likeness

READ

After creating mountains, oceans, stars, and every living creature, God pauses. The crown jewel of His creation is about to emerge. "Let us make mankind in our image," He declares. This isn't just another species—this is something entirely different.

Let’s take a moment to read Genesis 1:26-31 & 2:4-9:

Genesis 1:26-31

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may 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.”

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

Genesis 2:4-9

This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.

Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earthand there was no one to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the groundand breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden;and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

REFLECT

When we meet Adam in these passages, we encounter humanity's prototype. Unlike the animals formed from dust, Adam receives something extraordinary: the breath of God in his nostrils. This divine breath transforms lifeless clay into a living soul, establishing our fundamental identity as image-bearers of the Almighty. What does it mean to bear God's image? Adam reflects this in several profound ways. He possesses creativity—the ability to name the animals demonstrates his capacity for language, categorization, and artistic expression. He shows moral awareness, understanding right from wrong. Most significantly, he has the capacity for a relationship—with God, with creation, and eventually with Eve.

The Garden of Eden becomes Adam's first workplace, but this isn't mundane labor. God places him there "to work it and keep it"—to cultivate and protect this perfect environment. This reveals something crucial about human purpose: we're not meant to be passive recipients of God's blessing but active participants in His ongoing creative work. Adam's job description includes both productivity and stewardship, showing that meaningful work was part of God's original design, not a consequence of sin.

Notice the freedom Adam enjoys. God gives him access to every tree in the garden except one. This single prohibition—not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil—establishes both human dignity and responsibility. God trusts Adam with incredible freedom while establishing clear boundaries. This isn't oppressive control but loving protection, like a parent warning a child about a dangerous street.

The foundational truth emerges clearly: if God created life, He alone gets to define it. Adam doesn't negotiate the terms of his existence or argue about his purpose. He accepts his identity as God's image-bearer and embraces his role as Eden's caretaker. This acceptance isn't submission to tyranny but recognition of loving authority from the One who knows what's truly best. Adam's story reveals that human dignity doesn't come from what we accomplish but from whose image we bear. Before he did anything notable, before he named a single animal or tended one plant, Adam was precious because he reflected God's nature. This counters our performance-driven culture that measures worth by achievement.

RESPOND

Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.

• How does understanding yourself as an image-bearer of God change the way you view not only your daily work and relationships, but also your inherent worth?

• How can you better embrace both the freedom and responsibility that comes with being created in God's image?

REST

Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:

Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me in Your image and giving me dignity that comes from You alone. Help me embrace the purpose You've designed for my life and trust Your loving boundaries. Give me wisdom to be a faithful steward of the gifts and opportunities You've placed in my care. Amen.