Monday: The Privilege of Dominion
What is the “dominion” that humans were to have over the earth, as expressed in Genesis 1:26-28?
The biblical word dominion comes from the Hebrew verb radah. This word indicates a right and responsibility to rule. It implies, in this context, a hierarchy of power and authority in which the human race is positioned above the rest of the natural world. While the verb radah, as used in the rest of the Old Testament, does not itself define how this dominion is to be exercised, whether benevolently or malevolently, the context of a sinless and unfallen creation shows that the intent must have been benevolent in nature.
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Similar conclusions may be drawn about subduing the earth in Genesis 1:28. The verb subdue,from the Hebrew kavash, also depicts a hierarchical relationship in which humans are positioned above the earth and are granted power and control over it. Elsewhere in the Old Testament the verb kavash is even more forceful than radah, describing the actual act of subjugation, of forcing another into a subordinate position (Num. 32:22, Num. 32:29; Jer. 34:11, Jer. 34:16; Esther 7:8; Neh. 5:5). In many of these cases, the abuse of power is obvious and God’s displeasure expressed. But again, taking into consideration the context, within the Creation story, of a sinless couple created in the image of God to administer the earth, this subduing of the earth can be characterized only as benevolent service to creation on behalf of the Creator. It certainly was not exploitation.
We find an additional dimension to this concept of dominion in Genesis 2:15, where God places Adam in the garden to dress (abad – to work, to serve, to till) and to keep (shamar – to hedge about, guard, protect, attend to, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve).
Keeping this in mind, we discover that dominion is caring and loving stewardship or management. Within their relationship with God our first parents were to have all the resources and authority that they needed to execute their dominion, which would have reflected God’s divine love of His creation.
| Though the word dominion today can, and often does, have negative connotations, it certainly didn’t when first expressed in the Bible. What are some principles that we can take from this pre-Fall use of the term and apply to how we relate to whatever or whomever we have “dominion” over? |
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The concept of "dominion" before the Fall of mankind and after I find very interesting. I think that since we are living in the "last days" and "the end of the age" we cannot have the same dominion over the Earth as existed prior to the Fall,,,humanity has lost dominion to Satan who is the Prince of this Earth.
Something of the nature and the spirit of the "first dominion" is still felt, I think, when [for example,] an honorable person owns, and sits upon, a noble horse.
If they are not blinded by pride, the rider will feel something of the "privilege" that has been accorded them.
In contrast to this, I feel that it is sad that people will today hunt and kill animals for "fun". A certain sense of superiority, or victory, must be felt... but originally such a spirit would have been far from the hearts of our original parents. Would they have felt that it was their God-given "right" to terrorize the animals that were under their care? Simply for the sake of enjoyment, or challenge? No, I do not believe it for a moment.
Adam and his family must have felt the privilege of their "dominion".
The people that were granted the original dominion were meek people, and so it will be again, when that dominion is restored. The meek shall inherit the earth. (Ps 37:11.)
It's true that our first parents by listening to Satan gave that authority to him. But we still have been assured that all powers now belongs to our lord and savior Jesus Christ. Even at the very end of the lesson that states "shamar – to hedge about, guard, protect, attend to, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve).
Keeping this in mind, we discover that dominion is caring and loving stewardship or management" we have a role to play in this present time.
I am persuaded to believe that our definition of the word dominion is not exactly what God had in mind during creation. We are somehow limited. A sinless world functioned well without supervision because everything was extremely perfect. Dominion could have been close to a profound privilege that man had been given. A privilege to experience what God experiences when He rules and governs His creation. To look at life and nature as He does. To love people like He does. To hate evil like He does. To embrace unity and oneness like He does. His image was to reflect through humanity. We could not be like what I have mentioned after rising against His government. The devil was compelled to devoid us of such a privilege because he lost it. But we still have an opportunity. God is extending that opportunity to us. Do not miss it.
We still have authority and dominion through the death of Jesus Christ.We almost lost it by the fall of Adam and Eve but Christ restored it back to whoever believes and trust in God and Jesus Christ.If you believe in Jesus you are given power and dominion over other creations even over satan.
Jesus said that Satan is the ruler of this earth
This was a discussion last quarter. Is he still ruler post crucifixion
I know that Jesus is more powerful than him but evil is very much present today in the world please comment
I believe that if we are not careful we will miss an important point in the creation of man. God created us to provide a defense against the lies that Satan was circulating about His Character (Glory) and His Government. Mankind was God's "defense" against the confusion that Satan was fermenting in the minds of God's create beings. In OUR relationship to our families and the earth and animals, we were to show God's created universe HIS relationship to THEM and in so doing we would answer the questions that were raise by Satan. That was God's ORIGINAL purpose for us, and the Plan of Salvation is to raise us back up to where we will continue to do as God FIRST designed for us to do. Let's not loose sight of what God means for us to do here on Earth BEFORE we go home to Heaven!
The dictionary defines 'dominion' as the power or right of governing and controlling; sovereign authority; rule or sway.
Surely this also denotes a responsibility for that which we have dominion over!
In the Garden of Eden man was given dominion over creation with the boundary of the Tree of Knowledge, a responsibility to which should have been respected. We know the result of that neglect.
Today I believe that we still have dominion, a responsibility- to others, nature, our family and our church. When that dominion, or responsibility breaks down we get family abuse, civil unrest and hatred.
This dominion spoken of here is of a king installed by the King of kings. It was modelled after the dominion described in Psalm 72: 12 - 14 "He delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence He redeems their life; and precious is their blood in His sight." It is the dominion that protects the defenseless and gives justice to the oppressed. In other words humanity was called up by God to protect His creation; to rule with care and fairness over the natural world. God intended for humanity to take good care of our environment which, He knew would in return bring us joy. He created all these things with so much love, that our duty and promise to Him is take good care of it.
Anytime we are able to provide for the needs of another, we are exercising the original dominion God created man for.
My understanding is that dominion before the fall meant that nothing was the ruler but man and not even sin, and after sin man was to be ruled by the devil and sin having dominion of man. However the death and resurrection of Jesus means man can now take over dominion and sin no more unless he chooses
We live by Faith