Earlier this week, Raymond and I were talking to some children about the creation story in Genesis 1. At its climax, God blesses the man and woman and says “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” (Gen 1:28) With humans to rule over the world in God’s image, creation goes from being ‘good’ to ‘very good’ in God’s eyes. It all seems rather idyllic.
Just two chapters later, the ground is cursed because of the humans’ rebellion against God (Gen 3:17). Now, as Paul puts it in Romans, creation is subject to frustration and anguished groaning. Far from bringing God’s good rule to the world, humans have put it in ‘bondage to decay’.
From a secular standpoint, the situation seems increasingly hopeless. But the Gospel promises better things to come. Though the creation is full of frustration, anguish and decay now, it will one day be a place of freedom and glory.
Ed