Discussion Questions
-What comes to mind when you hear the words, dominion and subdue?”
-How does this passage impact the purpose for your life?
-What role does work play in the lives of a Christian?

Main Point: Humanity was given a divine purpose, to rule over creation, bearing His image in stewardship.

Man’s Command

Procreation & Dominion. In this passage God assigns humanity with two task, procreation and dominion.

The Hebrew word being used here for “exercising dominion” is rāḏá.

As previously mentioned the idea of us being created in the image of God, has royal language and as we are created to rule, but as a servant-king.

The word used for subdue, kāḇaš and does have a much stronger force.

This word is perhaps better understood in the cultivating of agriculture, to “subdue the land.”

Cultural Mandate

In this passage, we begin to see and understand our life’s purpose, in particularly our vocation.

Four Implications: Work reflects something of the Image of God. Work begins with our responsibility to creation. Work includes the development of culture. Work is part of God’s will for humans.

You can believe all of this and never be a Christian. It’s important to see that even though God gave this commission, in choosing sin, we failed. It’s only through repentance and through salvation are we restored to our original calling.

God’s Very Good Creation (v.29-31)
God surveys his day six creation, and unlike the other days, he exclaims that is “very good.” A declaration that only comes after God has surveyed all his creation.

Further Resources

(Book) Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Callingby Andy Crouch.

Closing Questions:
-What are some of the difficulties in your vocation? What kind of perspective does Colossians 3:23-34 offer?

-How does following Jesus, restore us to original commission in Genesis?

-What has stood out to you the most thus far in our study of creation?

Sources Used for the Study:


Akin, Daniel L. A Theology for the Church. Nashville, TN.: B & H Academic, 2007

ESV Study Bible: English Standard Version. ESV text ed. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2011, 2008.

Gospel Transformation Bible: Christ in All of Scripture, Grace for All of Life. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013.

Hamilton, Victor P. The Book of Genesis: Chapters 1-17. The New International Commentary On the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI.: W.B. Eerdmans, 1990.

Keller, Timothy. The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy. Chorley, England: 10Publishing, 2012.

Mathews, K A. The New American Commentary. Genesis 1-11:26. Nashville, TN.: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996-2005. Kindle Edition.

Ross, Allen P. Creation and Blessing: A Guide to the Study and Exposition of the Book of Genesis. Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker Books, 1998.

Sailhamer, John H. Genesis. Grand Rapids, MI.: Zondervan, 2017. Kindle Edition.