[04ctd]

Male and Female, GodÔÇÖs Image Bearers in the Earth

26 Then God said, ÔÇ£Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.ÔÇØ

27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

28 God blessed them and said to them, ÔÇ£Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.ÔÇØ (Genesis 1:26-28)


From the beginning GodÔÇÖs heart to build a dwelling place for Himself in the Earth is seen in His creation of man and woman, together, the foundation of the house of the Lord. Through the two of them together, He intended to live and reveal Himself in the world. Through them God intended to manifest His character and authority (image), express His dominion over the Earth, display His indisputable power over the works of darkness, and subdue His archenemy satan.

The first man and woman were a microcosm of the church, signaling that GodÔÇÖs glory would forever be seen in the Earth through the combined expression of male and female. Now as then, GodÔÇÖs blessing, His promise of success, is upon our unity.