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Ugly events have
stained the pages of world history. Exploding out of wrong
attitudes, these misfortunes alter society’s order, and often
hinder the development of the individual’s personal life.
There are moments
of peace and happiness. There are days when we achieve our goals
and we seem to advance. Some dreams do come true. However, a
thoughtful study of history and the current situation seems to
confirm what we already instinctively know. We do not enjoy
complete control over our own lives. We feel frustrated,
perplexed and even frightened when unexpected occurrences
shatter our lives. We sense the sorrow and anger they leave
behind and we experience a profound sense of impotence. Thus,
the persistent interest of many in astrology, fortune-tellers,
mediums and channels. No wonder men and women cry out in
despair, ‘Is this really life? Is there not something better?’
Mark Twain, the
American author, well known for his sometimes irreverent humour,
once wrote, ‘Such is the human race. Often it does seem such a
pity that Noah and his party did not miss the boat’. Without
humour Sigmund Freud stated, ‘I have found little that is
"good" about human beings on the whole. In my
experience most of them are trash . . . that is something that
you cannot say aloud, or perhaps even think.’
Through the
centuries philosophers have brooded on the mystery of the human
condition. If there is a God, did He make human beings for a
life of this nature? Is human existence limited to a few years
on this small planet in a vast universe? Some maintain
vigorously that man is no more than an animal, perhaps a little
more developed, but still just an animal.
God answers the
questions related to our confusion. We were not created for the
tragedies that have surrounded our race. The creation of man and
woman was God’s exceptional work. They were the crown of his
creative actions. Psalm 8 touches on the subject of God’s
purpose concerning the place he intended men and women to occupy
within the creation. This hymn of praise recognizes God’s
greatness as Creator. It begins, ‘O Lord, our Lord, how
excellent is Your name in all the earth, You who set Your glory
above the heavens.’ The psalmist’s language highlights the
Creator’s wisdom and strength.
It is precisely
the vision of God’s power displayed in the whole cosmos that
leads the psalmist to think about the comparative insignificance
of human beings. He draws a clear contrast. Firstly, ‘When I
consider Your heavens the work of Your fingers, the moon and the
stars that You have ordained‘, and, secondly, ‘what is man
that You are mindful of him?’ Job said to God, ‘Man who is
born of woman . . . do You open Your eyes on such a one?’ The
smallness of men and women stands in stark contrast to the
formidable creation.
It is difficult to
read Psalm 8 and the first chapters of Genesis without coming to
the conclusion that human beings are the Creator’s most
important work. God did create the human beings in His image and
likeness. He did give to Adam and Eve a position of authority.
Yet, we do not see today, men and women enjoying the privilege
that God assigned to them. History and contemporary life confirm
this fact. In spite of the apparent unimportance of human beings
within the cosmos, the psalmist reveals that God designated a
surprising role for human beings. The poet writes, ‘. . . You
have made him a little lower than the angels’ (elohim). The
psalmist realizes how insignificant human beings can appear to
be. Simultaneously, he recognizes that God placed him in a
position of eminence and authority, ‘You have crowned him with
glory and honour’.
The psalmist is
sure about God’s original purpose for men and women. They
should occupy a position of glory and authority in the creation.
A hundred years ago a Scottish scholar commented on the phrase,
‘. . . Thou hast crowned him with glory and honour’,
indicating that the ‘general meaning is obvious: Thou hast
bestowed on man such honours as Thou has bestowed on none of Thy
creatures; Thou hast set him at the head of the created universe’.
This dominion was not something they seized for themselves. It
was a gift from God. Even before the act of creation, God
reveals His thoughts about men and women when He states, ‘let
them have dominion’.
The glory and the
honour that they received in the moment of their creation
reflect the desire of God himself. Perhaps, as a potential first
step towards an expanding role in the universe, they were to
exercise dominion over all things on earth for God’s glory.
The narrative of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden is like a
first chapter in a story that would move on into surprising
dimensions of glory. From a human point of view, the evil one
temporarily ]thwarted the full development of this intention.
Even when God allowed the creation to be subjected to futility,
he did so ‘in hope’. God cannot and will not be frustrated.
He will bring ‘many sons to glory’, Heb. 2. 9-10
To undo the work
of the evil one who provoked the human being’s fall, God did
not spare ‘his own Son, but delivered him up for us all'. In
view of this overwhelming display of love, it is not surprising
that the apostle adds, ‘how shall he not with him also freely
give us all things?’ The term ‘all things’ is one of Paul’s
synonyms for ‘universe’. This may well be a glimpse of the
permanent fulfilment of the divine desire stated in Genesis, ‘let
them have dominion’.
Mark Twain missed
the point. The issue is not whether Noah and his family caught
or missed the boat. It was God, in surprising grace, who would
not destroy completely the human race in spite of the prevailing
corruption and violence. God invited them into the ark, for He
is determined to take these who are saved, in union with His
Son, to their eternal destiny of glory. When this message is
rejected, no wonder there is a tendency to agree with Freud’s
unfeeling appraisal of the human race. The truth is that human
beings are very special to God. There is no doubt whatsoever
about His intention. God plans to live with them for ever.
There is something
better!
REFERENCES
1 The Columbia Dictionary of Quotations is licensed from
Columbia University Press. Copyright 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998 by
Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
2 Ibid.
3 Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations are from the
Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright 1982 by Thomas
Nelson, Inc.
4 Revised Version.
5 John Brown, Hebrews, Geneva Series of Commentaries (Edinburgh:
Banner of Truth Trust, 1862,1994), p. 93.
6 Bible references: Psalm 8; Job 14. 1, 3; Genesis 1. 26; Romans
8. 20, 32; Hebrews 2. 10; Colossians 1. 16.
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