In Genesis, God gave mankind delegated authority to rule over His creation. Significantly, the passage does not explicitly give one human being authority to rule over another. Rather, humanity was entrusted with the responsibility of exercising dominion over the earth as God's representative. People may naturally guide others according to their wisdom, expertise, or ability, and throughout history various forms of human government have emerged with the expectation that leadership should serve the common good.
Genesis 1:26
"Then God said, '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, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'"
This raises an important question:
Has humanity exercised this delegated authority faithfully?
Many aspects of history suggest that we have often fallen short.
Human beings have benefited enormously from animals. They have provided food, clothing, transport, labour, companionship, medicine, and have contributed greatly to scientific research. Yet how have we treated them in return?
One observation that has often crossed my mind concerns the diets of many domestic animals. Some would argue that their food is simply part of God's created design. Yet one may still ask whether, over time, human beings have taken the best for themselves while leaving animals to survive largely on what people discard or no longer desire.
Another ethical question follows. After receiving so many benefits from animals, is it right to slaughter them for food? Scripture permits the eating of animals, yet it also teaches that the righteous care for the welfare of their animals. This should lead us to consider not only what is permissible, but also whether we exercise dominion with gratitude, compassion, and responsibility.
A related question also deserves reflection. Why do human beings become deeply angered when a wild animal kills a person, yet often feel little or no moral discomfort when they slaughter animals for meat? Whether or not one agrees with the comparison, it invites us to examine whether we expect mercy from nature while extending very little mercy ourselves.
The many conservation efforts around the world also raise important questions. Are they motivated primarily by genuine concern for the welfare of wildlife, by the desire to preserve ecosystems, by the benefits people derive from them, or by a combination of these motives? Whatever the answer, true stewardship should value creation because it belongs to God.
Humanity's failure is not limited to its treatment of animals.
When dealing with fellow human beings, history records slavery, colonialism, exploitation, discrimination, forced labour, oppression, and countless other abuses of power.
For example, history records instances in which some colonial settlers preferred sharing meals with their dogs rather than with Africans, revealing the depth of racial prejudice and the denial of human dignity.
Wars and conflicts continue across the world. In many cases, they begin because one group seeks to dominate, exploit, or oppress another.
The rich and powerful have frequently used their influence to enrich themselves at the expense of the weak and the poor. Too often, power has been used not to serve, but to dominate.
Modern money-based economies have also revealed significant inequalities. In many places, the poor are left consuming lower-quality goods, including highly processed foods, while wealth, quality healthcare, education, and opportunity become increasingly concentrated among those who already possess greater resources.
Money itself is morally neutral. Scripture does not condemn money. Rather, it repeatedly warns against greed, oppression, injustice, and the love of money. The deeper problem is not money itself, but sinful human hearts and unjust systems.
Another observation concerns the control of natural resources. Water, minerals, fertile land, and other valuable resources are often controlled by powerful individuals, corporations, or nations.
History—and many present-day realities, especially in Africa—provides numerous examples of regions rich in natural resources remaining impoverished while much of their wealth benefits political elites, multinational interests, or powerful foreign nations.
The lesson is clear:
Power without justice often becomes exploitation.
Humanity was entrusted with responsibility. Yet instead of consistently reflecting God's character, people have too often reflected selfishness, violence, greed, pride, corruption, and injustice.
HOPE THROUGH RIGHTEOUS RULE
Although mankind has not exercised its delegated authority faithfully, hope remains.
As long as this world continues, we can
choose a better path by loving God sincerely, loving our neighbours genuinely, pursuing justice, showing mercy, and seeking the good of others.
For Christians, our ultimate hope rests in the coming reign of Jesus Christ. He will redeem what humanity has corrupted and establish perfect justice and righteousness.
Acts 17:31
"For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead."
Isaiah describes this righteous kingdom:
Isaiah 11:3, 6
"...He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears..."
"The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them."
Isaiah 32:1–5
"See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice."
Under His rule, justice will replace oppression, truth will replace deception, and the vulnerable will find refuge. The foolish will no longer be celebrated as wise, nor the corrupt honoured as noble.
Humanity's first stewardship has too often been marked by failure. Yet God's final kingdom will demonstrate what righteous dominion was always meant to be—authority exercised with perfect justice, truth, compassion, and love.
Elijah Mutua Kirima.
Pastor.
THE WORD OF GOD IS THE WILL OF GOD
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