Why Did God Create Us?

Have you ever pondered the true motive behind our creation? In a world where self-glorification often overshadows divine purpose, we tussle with different theories. The majority of these theories, like most of our thinking, are self-centered rather than God-centered. 

For example, some believe we exist as vessels for God’s love, while others propose our creation stemmed from his longing for companionship. There are even those who suggest we were brought into being to magnify his name, basically implying that without us, he would be irrelevant since there would be no one around to worship him or to even know that he exists. 

But, amid these diverse beliefs, where does the truth lie? Why did God create us? Scripture holds the key to unraveling this age-old question, and it’s not as mysterious as it may seem. Throughout this post, we’ll examine God’s original purpose for mankind, starting with the manner in which we were created. 

“Let Us Make Man In Our Image…”

A Traditional Interpretation

In the NIV, Genesis 1:26 is translated as follows: “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image,…” This verse has baffled me for quite some time. What is God’s image and how are we created in it? 

It had previously been my understanding that being made in the Lord’s image was something spiritual, since it couldn’t refer to anything physical since God is spirit (Jn. 4:24). 

In line with several commentators, I thought it was related to our intelligence, reasoning skills, and our capacity for love and moral actions. However, my view has somewhat shifted. While I still believe these traits contribute to our being created in God’s likeness, I no longer believe they’re what’s being addressed here.

Who Is “Us” Referring To?

First and foremost, it’s important to acknowledge and accept that the Almighty here is speaking with others. But who exactly are these others? Who is this “us?” According to some, God was consulting with the earth, which would later supply the required material for man’s body. 

Some suggest it could be the Holy Trinity, comprising the Father, Son and Holy Spirit since all had a hand in creation. Still, others think it might be angels. 

Either of the last two options seem more rational to me than the idea of God consulting with dirt, but it raises questions about how the author of Genesis had understood the Trinity and why he didn’t mention it, or the person of Jesus in his other writings. 

And, what if God was addressing holy angels, which are simply “divine messengers”? Would that mean the angels had a hand in creation? Wouldn’t that be at odds with what the rest of the Bible conveys? (Col. 1:16; Is. 44:24; Jn. 1:3; Job 38-42) Does it mean then, that we were created in their image? 

I would answer “no, yes, and somewhat.” My belief is that God did indeed speak with holy angels or lesser divinities. After all, it wouldn’t be unusual for him to meet with divine council. Here’s an example from 1 Kings:

19 Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left. 20 And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’

“One suggested this, and another that. 21 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will entice him.’

22 “‘By what means?’ the Lord asked.

“‘I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said.

“‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’

23 “So now the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you.” (1 Kgs. 22:19-23 NIV)

In a vision, Micaiah saw God on his throne, consulting with spirits, to find the best way to handle a situation. Thus, this type of deliberation wouldn’t be unusual.

But, some contend that God wasn’t communicating with angels here (Gen. 1:26), since the Bible doesn’t specify they were created “in his image,” (It’s the traditional interpretation of “image” in Gen. 1:26 as “likeness” or “resemblance” that they’re referring to), yet it does in the case of humans (Gen. 1:27; Gen. 9:6). However, this is where common sense plays a role.

If we interpret mankind’s creation in God’s “likeness” as relating to our capacity for intellectual thought, reasoning, and the ability to make rational choices and to love, then it stands to reason that angels would possess these qualities to an even greater extent. 

Knowledge and understanding flow from the mouth of God, and wisdom and power originate solely from him. Therefore, from whom else could angels have derived these attributes? In this light, these divine beings who serve God as messengers are, in fact, created in his likeness—a likeness shared with humanity. 

However, in Genesis 1:26, I don’t believe God was speaking to these divinities about helping to physically produce a human being. 

First, there’s no definite article for “adam” and the pronoun “them” later in the verse, is plural. So, as many have pointed out, he’s most likely talking about mankind as a whole, not referring to “making” one or two people. 

How many spirit beings should it take to make a couple of humans anyway? And after the first two earthlings were created, they continued reproducing on their own as God intended. How then could angels have been involved? We’ll explore that in the next section. 

What Is The “Image”?

Traditionally, most English Bibles translate the first part of Gen. 1:26 as: “Let us make mankind in our image.” In the Septuagint, the Greek word eikona (εἰκόνα), translated as “image,” can be used to refer to a model or pattern, and can carry the sense of being an archetype. 

An archetype is “an original model of which all other similar concepts, objects, or persons are merely copied, derivative, emulated, or patterned,” or it can be “an ideal example of something.” 

The Hebrew word used here is tselem, meaning “likeness” which can refer to a shadow, shade, or phantom. It’s what the ancient Greeks would have also referred to as an eidolon. The Greek word eidolon is where the word “idol” comes from, which refers to images created to represent deities for the purpose of worshiping them. 

Prior to this, however, an eidolon, phantom, or shade referred to shadowy or ghostly figures resembling the originals, or even flesh-and-blood copies of human beings, such as Helen of Troy in Euripides’ play, Helen. Maybe this is why tselem has also been translated as “form.” 

While these meanings may seem very different, there’s a common theme among them: they all convey the idea of something repeating or copying an original. Therefore, for Genesis 1:26, I believe something along the lines of, “Let us establish or “set up” mankind according to our model” is a better fit. We are to copy the heavenly pattern, here on earth. 

This pattern comprises God at the top, with the divine beings arranged below based on their respective roles and territories. Mankind would now continue this pattern, mirroring the structure and principles of the heavens, here on earth.

8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” (Rev. 22:8-9 NIV)

It would essentially involve the integration of mankind into the family of God which takes a family effort. Hence the reason he would be saying this to his holy messengers and hence the reason for the consistent visits and direction given by angels to humans. 

From the beginning, they’ve been helping to shape humanity in accordance with God’s will, principles, and moral standards (Gen. 18; Gen. 19; Gen. 32:22-32; Jdgs. 6:11-23; Ps. 91:11; 2 Sam. 24:16; Heb. 1:14). 

This is probably because as “children,” adam had to be taught before they could take on the full responsibility for which they were created. In that case, God’s messengers could have definitely played a role.

A problem arose, however, when Adam and his wife disobeyed the Lord by listening to the voice of a deceiver, disguised as a trustworthy “messenger of light.” (2 Cor. 11:14). Thus, they deviated from the pattern, by placing another in the Lord’s position. 

Of course, all of this would explain why God would place a perfectly good tree in the middle of the garden and then tell the man not to eat from it. A question I wrestled with for years. 

But as others have pointed out, it was most likely a test, one in which we royally failed by listening, not to a snake, but to one much more convincing: a “shining one,” who was both an adversary (satan) and a devil (diabolos), meaning “slanderer.”

So then, “make” here, wouldn’t refer just to the creation of the one man from dust, but rather to the formation, shaping, training, and preparing of mankind to follow, or conform to, the existing model of governing and authority established in the heavenly realms. 

“…And After Our Likeness”

 The next part of Genesis 1:26 is commonly translated as, “according to our likeness” or “after our likeness.” And what is this “likeness”?

When you think about it, what are children, descendants, sons, and daughters? They are merely the combined likenesses of their mothers and fathers, and they also share that resemblance, or likeness with their siblings. In many ways they are “like” their ancestors and in many ways they are”like” their siblings. 

The same principle applies to the connection between humanity and God, as well as angels. There are many ways in which angels resemble God, and there are many ways in which humans resemble God. Thus, angels and humans share God’s likeness. We simply exist in different realms.

So, the verse could be interpreted as: “Let us establish humanity according to our model and after our likeness,” which implies, “Let’s make them look like us” or, “Let’s make them part of our family.”

Thus, in essence, the message here seems to be, “Let’s make mankind as an extension of our family,” which as I mentioned above, goes beyond physical creation and the simple sharing of characteristics. The process of building a family involves teaching, disciplining, shaping, and molding. 

But, why would all of this have been necessary?

The Reason We Were Created 

Why Did God Create Us?

Though we’re aware of the manner in which we were created, the question of why we were created still lingers. The rationale behind God’s choice to shape us according to the image of elohim and to welcome us into his family is clearly explained. 

It’s so that mankind “…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” (Gen. 1:26 NIV). 

Mankind has two fundamental purposes for existing and they are to rule and to worship which go hand in hand. We are to carry out God’s will on earth as his rulers and representatives here, as divine beings do likewise in heaven. 

This requires us to worship him, which means to “serve, ”honor,” or “work” for him. Genesis 2:5 reads: 

“Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground.” (NIV) 

After the plan for humanity was revealed, God created a person from the earth itself in order to take care of the earth he’d made (Gen. 1:27). After he formed the person from the clay, and breathed into his nostrils, the person became a living being. He then placed the person in the Garden of Eden to work in it and take care of it. 

But, God said it wasn’t good for the person to be alone. Therefore, he would make the person a helper that was suitable to him. But apparently, none of the animals were a good fit (Gen. 2:18-22). So, God formed a woman from the man’s own flesh and bone (Gen. 2:23) and she would share in the work and also in the responsibility to produce more workers on the earth.

And so, the Lord made these beings after his likeness, and he called both of them “adam” (Gen. 5:2). He created adam in both masculine and feminine versions (Gen. 1:27). Then, God blessed them and gave them their assignment. 

Their mission was to become productive and to multiply by working together. Increasing in the earth and possessing it, they would have dominion over it (Gen. 1:28).  

Power to Govern. Not Abuse

So, mankind was to rule the earth as the governing authority. This is exactly what we have today, with various nations having dominion over certain territories of the earth, in which they’re responsible for, in which they’ve established their unique governments. 

However, this power doesn’t suggest that we should abuse creation as some do, thinking that the rest of nature is beneath us. My guess is, if God loves us, he probably loves the dirt we’re made of as well. He is the Father of all creation.  

So, I would think that engaging in activities like hunting animals for mere sport or luxury clothing, polluting our oceans with waste, and littering on the streets are not what God envisioned when He spoke of “ruling” over the earth. 

It’s not merely a matter of “doing whatever you please” because you possess the right or authority. Our responsibility is to care for God’s creation, nurturing and preserving it while also loving and supporting one another, as we are all interconnected (Acts 17:26). 

I believe that when one individual falls to a point where they can no longer contribute to society, humanity, as a whole, feels the repercussions—whether we’re aware of it or not. This would be why loving each other is one of the most important commandments in the Torah (Mark 12:30-31). 

But when we do evil, for example, when an individual takes another’s life, they snatch them away from their God-given purpose. Additionally, when we harm others—be it physically, mentally, or emotionally—our mistreatment can obstruct their ability to fulfill God’s plan for their life and create a disruption in the grand scheme of creation.

It may sound extreme, but the saying “A little goes a long way” is usually true. We can’t possibly know the full implications and effects of our evil actions. However, the same is true for our good deeds. And so, we are instructed to do good and to support one another.  

So, in addition to caring for the earth, mankind’s service to God includes helping those in need, caring for the sick, encouraging the oppressed, speaking out against injustice and preserving life at all costs, so that those he has made in his image and set in place, can fulfill his purpose for their lives. 

Humanity Has Strayed From the Original Model

Whichever interpretation we choose, the fact is that we’ve been given responsibilities and have been designated authority here on earth, for which wisdom, knowledge, and discipline are needed. As a result, studying and grasping God’s Word, as well as practicing adherence to it, are essential aspects of a person’s life.

Nevertheless, an issue lies in the fact that numerous people and groups fail to adhere to the divine model. This may explain why Jesus instructed his disciples to pray for God’s “will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:10). 

It’s a prayer we should also pray,  as a significant number of individuals, organizations, and governments choose to reject the God of Abraham and Jesus Christ in favor of their own passions and desires, resulting in humanity straying significantly from God’s intended design for us.

How then, can we remedy this? 

The solution is to repent. Forsake all other gods and personal passions contrary to his teachings, in order to return to the God of Abraham. We must return to worshiping him as the one true God and Creator. 

Conclusion

A logical view, in my opinion, would acknowledge the Most High God speaking with divine but subordinate beings, whom he created and entrusted with authority, to oversee heavenly realms (Dan. 10:13). 

Therefore the statement, “Let us make man in our image…” would not have focused on the individual characteristics of men and how those characteristics resemble their Creator, but rather on the collective structure of mankind and how it would follow the example of the heavenly hosts, submitted under God’s authority.

In other words, the “image” is not concerning how each of us resembles our Creator physically or spiritually, but how humanity was created to reflect the structure, laws, and the principles of God and his existing heavenly family, on earth. 

So, in the simplest terms possible, what we would have is, “Let’s set up humanity to follow our model, and to become a part of our family.” (Mark. 5:34; Jn. 1:12; 1 Jn. 3:2). “As a potter shapes clay to make a cup for his own pleasure – whether for decoration, for sale, or for drinking, let us shape humankind into earthly rulers who govern according to the principles, will, and heart of God.” 

The purpose of this is so we could effectively and righteously perform our service to the Lord, ruling collectively over his earthly creation, as he gives us each a unique role and purpose. He created us to work for him, obediently and faithfully. 

Nevertheless, don’t forget that we’re not just his workers, we’re his family. Although he didn’t need us, he wanted us to be here for whatever reason. Therefore, here we are. Our God cares for us and provides for us because he loves us, and we must love and care for each other to successfully rule over his earth together—each one doing our part according to the specific work he’s given to each of us.

But looking around, it becomes evident that the world isn’t governed by the will and principles of God. Acts such as abortion, murder, rape, drunkenness, and theft are not reflective of devotion to the God of Abraham, but rather of harmful spirits, or deities regardless of whether one openly professes to worship these entities. 

But the good news is, God has assured us that he will eliminate everything that causes sin and those who do harm, ultimately restoring all creation under his sovereign authority (Matt. 13:41; 1 Cor. 15:27).

This is why mankind everywhere must repent (Acts 17:30), or return to serving him only, in order to enter the kingdom of God and be a part of the new creation (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Jn. 3:3; Matt. 5:5). 

At their appointed times for repentance, every nation, each individual, must return to submission to the God of Abraham by trusting in him and Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:16; Eph. 1:13; Eph.. 2:8-10) and obeying his principles for living. As he is the one true God and Creator, we must worship him alone.