In the middle of the rapidly moving truncated account in Genesis of first earthly things related to human beings, God gave some of the initial and necessary instructions to the race for the management of the earth. The plan for responsibility preceded the creation of mankind, and begins in the initial strokes of Scripture, appearing twice in Genesis 1. Essentially the newly created race was given the authority of demigods, authority over other creatures on earth. Adam and Eve are ordered to use and cultivate the earth in proper subjugation. This couple was given a Garden, emblematic of the world. An island of the Garden was reserved to God, an area likely meant to be an altar. We partially fulfill God’s purpose in knowing (learning about) and dressing (taking proper care of) the creation. This a major purpose, among several purposes, for mankind.
Repetition is a biblical means of emphasizing what is important to the communication of what God wants known. Jesus appears to have repeated some sermons, especially affirmations found in the Sermon on the Mount and the issues related to sin and salvation, of heaven and hell, of life and death. Here the repetition of mankind’s duty to take responsibility for the earth, to learn about it, to harness it to the degree that can provide benefit – so becomes a divine command. Man and woman are given authority of life and death in the experience of the animals, and to use them for human benefit. The use has natural meaning, not perceived as arrogance or rude exploitation.
Part of the learning, the subduing of the earth, is to discover how the earth works – to make it livable for intelligent beings. Mankind is to take charge in an orderly way that human brain and body may permit. If subduing means building dams, we should build dams. If it means harnessing steam power, we should develop that process. If it means discovering nutritious foods, we should cultivate those foods. If it means finding a way to harness the energy of the Sun, we should harness that energy. If it means milking cows, we should milk cows. We have been freed to improve the earth with order, and in that environment make life more attractive and livable for generations. Moderation follows. We fail the commandment of earth stewardship if we despoil the earth, if we exploit it excessively, if we do not leave it as good, or better, than we found it. There is room for trial and error, but that flexibility does not permit disregard for order, for responsibility for others, especially those as yet unborn. The secret is found in the basic social rule that persons are created to be servants of one another. There is meaningful work to be done that helps make persons noble in duty to their environment, but much of human energy is devoted to misdirected activity of emotions, warfare, power, self, wealth (with greed), celebrity, excess, competition, carelessness, and their derivatives. The list of sins and evasions grows long.
Jesus used earth resources when he assisted the carpenter, Joseph; when he delivered a catch of fish for the disciples; when he rode on a donkey; when he ate meat and grain; when he wore a robe so fine that, perhaps for the first time, a condemned prisoner owned something soldiers valued. He subdued the creation on several occasions, as when he stilled sea waves. We too, when our senses and motives are in order can go forward with use of the earth, for the good of all in the creation. God calls us to order. Why is it that matters tend to go well when we follow His instructions? Why, without conscious attention to God’s original directive, modern authorities argue about that directive? There is within us, given of God, a mysterious objective, that needs attention and education to be useful – to do what God would have us do. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020