Creation
29
life. Such teaching lowers the great work of the Creator to the level of
man’s narrow, earthly conceptions. Men are so intent upon excluding
God from the sovereignty of the universe that they degrade man and
defraud him of the dignity of his origin. He who set the starry worlds
on high and tinted with delicate skill the flowers of the field, who filled
the earth and the heavens with the wonders of His power, when He
came to crown His glorious work, to place one in the midst to stand as
ruler of the fair earth, did not fail to create a being worthy of the hand
that gave him life. The genealogy of our race, as given by inspiration,
traces back its origin, not to a line of developing germs, mollusks, and
quadrupeds, but to the great Creator. Though formed from the dust,
Adam was “the son of God.”
He was placed, as God’s representative, over the lower orders of
being. They cannot understand or acknowledge the sovereignty of
God, yet they were made capable of loving and serving man. The
psalmist says, “Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of
Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet: ... the beasts of the
field; the fowl of the air, ... and whatsoever passeth through the paths
of the seas.”
Psalm 8:6-8
.
Man was to bear God’s image, both in outward resemblance and
in character. Christ alone is “the express image” (
Hebrews 1:3
) of the
Father; but man was formed in the likeness of God. His nature was in
harmony with the will of God. His mind was capable of comprehend-
ing divine things. His affections were pure; his appetites and passions
were under the control of reason. He was holy and happy in bearing
the image of God and in perfect obedience to His will.
As man came forth from the hand of his Creator, he was of lofty
stature and perfect symmetry. His countenance bore the ruddy tint of
health and glowed with the light of life and joy. Adam’s height was
much greater than that of men who now inhabit the earth. Eve was
somewhat less in stature; yet her form was noble, and full of beauty.
The sinless pair wore no artificial garments; they were clothed with a
covering of light and glory, such as the angels wear. So long as they
lived in obedience to God, this robe of light continued to enshroud
them.
[46]
After the creation of Adam every living creature was brought be-
fore him to receive its name; he saw that to each had been given a
companion, but among them “there was not found an help meet for