Trees, Part 2 (Genesis 1:29-30)

Its interesting to note that the food the humans are given to eat is that which is seed-bearing. The fruit of the plant and tree is able to, and designed for, reproducing itself.

The passage immediately before this one is about the creation of humans, and God’s instructions to them about being fruitful and multiplying. Is there some connection here that we so easily miss in our familiarity with the passage?

God’s command to humans includes filling the earth, subduing and ruling over it and the animals. The food he gives humans is seed-producing. As well as the food being able to reproduce itself, it also needs to be taken care of, nurtured, and cultivated. The animals also are capable of reproduction, and similarly, need to be taken care of. So there is both purpose and responsibility that comes with God’s commands to humans.

This seems quite different to the description of the animals and their food. The animals’ food is simply described as ‘green plants’; there is no mention of them being seed-bearing. So in contrast to humans, the animals seem to have been given no responsibility in the care of creation. They certainly have value because they have the breath of life in them, which comes from God. But their purpose seems limited to populating the earth and consuming their necessary food.

Was the writer pointing to the idea that being made in the image of God brings with it a sense of purpose and care for creation that is not given to the animal kingdom, because while the animal kingdom is made by God, its not made in the image of God?

Tags: creation, contemplative, genesis, trees