In the first of the two creation accounts in the Hebrew book of Genesis, the line that always makes me stop and take a reflectionary pause is vs. 26: "Then God said, 'Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness.'"  The account then goes on, commissioning this "in our image" to take charge and take care of the rest of all that preceded us: the various planetary environments (e.g., the oceans, atmosphere, forests, riparian grasslands, etc.), the plant and animal kingdoms, and ourselves.  All of
which begs the question, just what is God's image to which we are to be
likened?

Judging from the previous part of the story, the image is one of a bountiful, imaginative, prolific, and generous creative force, one that misses nothing calling into being something as beautiful as this earth.  Further, it is one who intends this creation to be self-sustaining in nature: "Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind," as if once made, continually refashioned.  The image appears also to be one of prioritization as plants are created to feed both animals and humans; there is (curiously) no mention of the intended ingestion of animal flesh.  As well, the recreation of God's image tops the list, as if God arrives at the apex of her creativity, as if it is useless to create a caretaker first before there is anything to caretake.  Finally, the image of God names the entirety of it for what it was intended to be forever: "good."

If we, then, were created and are meant to be "God's image," how are we fulfilling this sacred trust?  How does such a vocation inform our purchasing decisions, our consumer lifestyle, the property (and life) over which we have direct control, the obvious effects our footprints are having on the various environments, which make up the Garden?  God made the entire thing to be regenerative and self-sustaining.  This time leading up to the national holiday known as Thanksgiving gives us pause to consider how we are doing as caretakers.  This holiday reminds us of the blessing God's creation provides us, for which we are to give thanks.  If the creation could respond, would it give thanks to God for our stewardship?  In what ways does being "the image of God" inform how we live our lives and how we need to conform to that?

 

So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.’   God said, ‘See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food.  And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so.  God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude.

 

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.  Nothing accursed will be found there any more. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.  And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign for ever and ever.

And he said to me, ‘These words are trustworthy and true, for the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.’