“Fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28)
The Lord God appointed Adam as steward of the Garden of Eden, where he lived. He was allowed to eat the plants and enjoy the fruits, but should also work and keep the garden. This was an honorable position and a great responsibility.
Man is essentially different from animals because he is created in God’s image. This difference is reflected in the rights and duties that God gave to man. He said that man was to subdue the earth and rule over the different kinds of animals. Adam was even allowed to name them. This shows that he was over them. It also indicates that man and animals did not live completely separate lives, but shared the Garden of Eden. This was God’s idea of a perfect world. Adam was employed by the Lord, as it were, to take care of His beautiful garden and to rule over every living creature.
What does this assignment to Adam mean for us today? Can you think of examples of people “keeping the earth” well or badly?