Journeying in Genesis: Dominion Lost

“Be fruitful and multiply and 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 1:28b

This world can be a cruel place. If it weren’t for God’s grace and mercy, none of us could endure its fallen state. Why? Because by Genesis 3, humans sinned and in a deceitful exchange the dominion was “legally” handed over to Satan. He is called the god of this world in 2 Corinthians 4:4, and the ruler of it in John 12:31. He’s an evil taskmaster.

There’s a parable in Luke 19 that speaks of a nobleman who represents the Lord. Verse 14 says, “But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’” These are the sons of disobedience or children of the night – those who refuse the gift of salvation through Christ. Thinking they are ruling themselves, they are actually under the sway of the Serpent.

Humans were to have rule over creation, not serve or worship it. Yet apart from Christ our sinful nature leans that way. Romans 1 says those who oppose God do not give him thanks, become futile in their thinking, darken their hearts, and exchange the glory of God for images of man and creatures. They “worshipped and served the creatures rather than the Creator.” With Satan having dominion, we need help! So our Savior came. In our next post we will rejoice as Jesus regained dominion! It would cost Him His life.