THIS IS OUR JOB III

The last couple of Journal entries have been considering our responsibility for caring for the earth as the Lord asked us to do: “Let us make man (or literally: mankind) in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth” (Genesis 1:26).

We are to watch over, keep, protect, work for, cultivate and care in every way for the earth. Genesis 1:26 gives a large visual of our responsibility:
Fish of the sea… oceans and water ways
Birds of the heavens… air and atmosphere
Livestock and animals… cattle and wild animals
Earth, or all the earth… all land, mountains, deserts, farm and ranch and rich valleys
Creeping Things… small animals and invertebrates, all small creatures that are on the earth.

All of the earth and everything in it and on it are to be cared for. This is Our Job. As we will see tomorrow, the Lord expects everything in the earth, above the earth and on the earth to Praise His Name.

(Note: The same idea of us caring for the earth is also an inclusive picture of elders/shepherding couples caring for the flock/people. Shepherds are to ‘rule over’ or oversee, work, keep, watch over, cultivate, protect, heal, provide and be responsible for the flock of God.)

“He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” Jesus