The Creator’s Commission

February 1, 2023 | Marcos Barrios ES ‘24

image description: body of water in autumn forest

I walk into the clearing and freeze. The grass is lush and bright, the sunlight plays off the trees, a gurgling stream winds past. I stand there in awe, soaking in the gorgeous sight. Striding into the grassy center I sit down, feeling the light breeze rustle my hair and the sun warm my skin. I take a breath and smell the subtle aroma of nearby wildflowers. All of a sudden I hear a rustle across the clearing. The branches start to tremble. Heavy steps thud in the distance. Chirping fills the air and I see bright colors flash through the canopy. The dirt beneath my feet sifts and vibrates. And then BOOM.  An explosion of creatures leap out of the tree line, pour out of the sky, erupt from the ground. A flurry of feathers, scales, and fur of every color fill the clearing. I crane my head to glimpse the lumbering beasts towering over me. I watch as countless small critters scuttle across the ground. The air buzzes with the flapping wings of thousands. The atmosphere pulses with life. I soak in the wonder and joy of it all. 

One of the creatures steps forward. His muscles glide under his pelt as he takes a silent step, the light playing against his spots. He strides towards me, stopping just within reach. I gaze into his bright eyes and a flicker of recognition passes between us. He lowers his front paws and puts his head to the ground. I stick out my hand and tenderly place it on his head.

And then it comes. 

 An idea.

 A word.

 A name. 

 In chapter two of Genesis, tucked between the creation account and the fall of man, is a curious story we often overlook. Its significance is unparalleled. It's the very first action of humanity detailed in scripture, the only look at humans in the Garden of Eden before the fall, and one of the first interactions between God and man. This narrative reveals that humans were purposefully created to be commissioned by and collaborate with God as unique, free, creative beings. It is a clear template of God's intended relationship with humanity and a vision for what eternity with God will look like. Ultimately, it inspires us to believe in the beauty and potential of being made in the image of God. 

"Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals." (Genesis 2:19-20, NIV)

 This story directly follows the magnificent description of God's creation in Genesis 1. God has just spoken into existence every aspect of the universe, including all of the creatures on the planet. As His grand finale, God distinctly creates Adam in His own image and gives him dominion over the Earth. It's in this context that the story appears. In it, God does something unexpected, inviting Adam to participate in the creation process and name the animals on His behalf. This brief exchange profoundly illuminates the nature of man, the nature of God, and the character of the relationship between them. 

In our first look at humanity, Adam faces the daunting task of giving a meaningful name to all of God’s remarkable animal creations. With remarkable capacity, he successfully christens countless animals according to their kinds, distinguishing species from one another and recognizing patterns in creation. He shows imaginative prowess, rational decision making, and willful choice. Ultimately, Adam models an author, scientist, and artist commissioned by God. This story beautifully demonstrates Adam’s creative human rationality and agency.

God endows all people with the ability to think, imagine, and dream. It's what separates us from the rest of creation. All of human culture—science, music, politics, agriculture, and every other kind of activity—incorporates our rational faculties. We find fulfillment when we express ourselves and create through words, movement, or art. To give up our reason or creativity would be to give up our humanity. This story clarifies that part of our human purpose is tied to our identity as rational, creative beings. 

God's role in the story is equally illuminating, revealing key aspects of His character. God asks Adam to do something He easily could have done Himself. The Psalms declare that God already named the billions of stars in the universe: "He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name” (Psalm 147:4, NIV). He doesn't need Adam to participate in His creation. God chooses to give Adam the opportunity to create. In this act of humility, God steps back and recognizes Adam—the mere creature that he is—as a capable being. God is present in the garden, watching Adam use his newly formed mind, curious to see what he will do. Like a father who watches their child color or play, God enjoys seeing the height of his creation using their gifts. The following verse confirms that: "whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name" (Genesis 2:19, NIV). God didn't go after Adam and fix his work, editing the names Adam chose. Certainly, God would have chosen better, more beautiful, more meaningful names for the animals. But like a father hanging up the messy scrawl of their child's artwork on the fridge, God proudly displays the work of His image bearer. 

Many think that God is distant and uninterested, but this story paints a picture of a God who is intensely curious about humanity, who loves to work with us and watch us think, dream, and imagine. God cares, respects, and values His creation. This story showcases His humility and love. It reminds us of His continual presence. 

Finally, this story helps define the relationship between God and man. Man's purpose is realized when he collaborates with and depends on God. Only when Adam is commissioned to work is the fullness of his humanity showcased. In other words, God creates, and Adam contributes his share, glorifying God and fulfilling himself. In this story, God is clearly the provider. Everything in the scene—the animals, Adam, the ground they're standing on, and the air they’re breathing—is first created by God. God himself brings the animals to Adam to name. Adam simply takes what he's been given and contributes his mental capacity and will. The result is an expanse of divinely created animals with human-created names in a collaborative masterpiece that reveals the glory of God. 

Humans were made to collaborate with God, working and creating to glorify him and fulfill our souls. Unfortunately, we try to use our human ingenuity outside of relationship with God. We attempt to build and construct our own wills according to our plans. But when God is not part of the process, we lack the resources and inspiration we need to truly thrive. "Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain” (Psalm 127:1, NIV). Adam’s success in the garden depended on God’s provision; our fulfillment and satisfaction in life depends on God’s grace and relationship.  

Our purpose was always to have authority over God's creation and combine our free will and imagination with God's power and blessing. God wanted to rule the Earth with Adam, giving him dominion and decision-making power. The same applies to us, even in a fallen world. God provides each of us with talents, skills, and opportunities to fulfill the commission of building the kingdom of heaven on Earth. He waits and watches to see what we do with the tools we've been given, excited to see our choices and creativity. He respects our ideas and decisions and encourages us to have faith and believe in impossible things. Ultimately, the possibilities with God are endless, and He yearns for His creation to join Him in His work. 

Jesus commands His disciples to spread His gospel message to the ends of the Earth. The history of the church has been the history of God's people acting like Adam, working under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and utilizing the imaginative power and free will of their "imago dei" nature to accomplish God’s will. The result is a beautiful masterpiece, a family of God working in the world to heal, to deliver, and to love.

Indeed, humanity is cursed with sin, and we all fall short of the glory of God. But Adam's story reconstructs our understanding of being made in the image of God. It inspires us to work with Him to develop and expand His creation. And unlike Adam, God's provision of Jesus as our savior gives us new life in Christ and peace with God. It comes with a commission to advance His gospel and build His kingdom in a life full of adventure, wonder, and joy. Believers can trust God has given them everything they need to fulfill the purposes of their lives.

The dynamic between God and man in Genesis 2 is God's intention of life with Him, unmarked by sin. Therefore, we can expect a similar, if not a higher and more complete, version of life in the age to come. Believers have great hope for an eternity of cooperation and creation with God. A world where everyone is participating in accomplishing God's will in a way that fulfills and satisfies our true creative nature as humans. Genesis gives us the first look at the beauty of the proper relationship between God and man, and our purpose is to live out that relationship now and forever. Adam named the animals. We are helping build the Church. The only question left is: what’s next?