As an artist I am well aware of the need to have a plan before one creates. Certainly, our Creator had a plan in mind upon beginning the process that would culminate in the origins of humankind. In fact, it’s specified right there in a passage on the first page of the Book of Genesis.

Some time ago I discussed this passage with a young minister, saying, “In Genesis 1:28 , God shared with humanity His blueprint for building a peaceful world. The plan was the ‘Three Blessings.’ It says:

“ ‘… and God blessed them. 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 heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’ ”

As if realizing something for the very first time, the minister lit up and, wanting to be sure he’d got the passage right, asked, “What was that again? What were those ‘Three Blessings’? Be fruitful’ — ” and he fumbled, trying to recall the other two.

Actually I wasn’t surprised, remembering that earlier in life I, too, had skipped over the same passage. The first two elements just seemed redundant, so I’d wondered, “Aren’t being fruitful and multiplying the same thing?” Thinking it made the best sense just to move forward, I, too, dismissed Genesis 1:28.

Through my study of the “Divine Principle” later in life, I have come to understand this verse as pivotal to understanding God’s plan for humanity.

As recorded in the Bible, these are the very first words spoken by the Creator to the first human offspring to inhabit His/Her creation (referred to in Genesis as the “Garden of Eden”).

Interestingly, sixteen hundred “biblical years” later, these words are spoken a second time — this time to Noah and his family as they emerge from the Ark in the aftermath of the Great Flood (Genesis 9:1).

These words actually amount to the original formula for the conduct of human life on earth – basic operating instructions direct from the Creator.

Questions to Consider

What do you think God meant by “Be fruitful, multiply, and have dominion over the earth”?

What is your assessment of how successful our ancestors were in carrying out these instructions?

What, if any, is the meaning and relevance of these instructions for us today?

What do you think might be the results of our misunderstanding or overlooking these guidelines in Genesis?

Please share your thoughts below.